A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment of the

feet The foot (: feet) is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is an organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of ...

and

toenail A nail is a protective plate characteristically found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of all primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough rigid protein called alpha-k ...

s, analogous to a

manicure A manicure is a mostly Cosmetics, cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and Hand, hands performed at home or in a nail salon. A manicure usually consists of Nail file, filing and shaping the free edge of nails, pushing and clipping ( ...

. During a pedicure, dead skin cells are rubbed off the bottom of the feet using a rough stone (often a

pumice stone Pumice (), called pumicite in its powdered or dust form, is a volcanic rock that consists of extremely vesicular rough-textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. It is typically light-colored. Scoria is another vesicular ...

). Skincare is frequently provided up to the knee, including granular exfoliation, moisturizing, and

massage Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pa ...

. The word ''pedicure'' is derived from the

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

words '' pedis'', which means "of the foot", and ''

cura Cura or CURA may refer to: Music * ''Cura'' (album), 2018 Keys N Krates release * Cura (instrument), Turkish musical instrument Organizations * Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA), Ohio State University * Institute on Culture, Re ...

'', which means "care".

History

People have been pedicuring their nails for more than 4,000 years. In southern

Babylonia Babylonia (; , ) was an Ancient history, ancient Akkadian language, Akkadian-speaking state and cultural area based in the city of Babylon in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq and parts of Kuwait, Syria and Iran). It emerged as a ...

, noblemen used solid gold tools to give themselves manicures and pedicures.

nail polish Nail polish (also known as nail varnish in British English or nail enamel) is a lacquer that can be applied to the human Nail (anatomy), fingernails or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates. The formula has been revised repeatedly t ...

can be traced back even further. Originating in

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

in 3000 BC, nail color indicated one's social status, according to a

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

manuscript; royal fingernails were painted black and red.

Ancient Egyptians Ancient Egypt () was a cradle of civilization concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in Northeast Africa. It emerged from prehistoric Egypt around 3150BC (according to conventional Egyptian chronology), when Upper and Lower ...

have been manicuring since 2300 BC. A depiction of early manicures and pedicures was found on a carving from a pharaoh's tomb, and the Egyptians were known for paying special attention to their feet and legs. The Egyptians also colored their nails, using red to show the highest social class. It is said that Cleopatra's nails were painted a deep red, whereas Queen Nefertiti went with a flashier ruby shade. In ancient Egypt and

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

, military commanders also painted their nails to match their lips before going to battle.

Pedicures in the United States

Pedicures generally take approximately 45 minutes to an hour in the US. According to the

US Department of Labor The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government. It is responsible for the administration of federal laws governing occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, unemp ...

, manicure and pedicure specialists earned a

median income The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways of unde ...

of around $20,820 in 2015. Most professionals earn an hourly wage or

salary A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which may be specified in an employment contract. It is contrasted with piece wages, where each job, hour or other unit is paid separately, rather than on a periodic basis. ...

which can be augmented through customer tips. Independent nail technicians depend on repeat and consistent business to earn a living. The most successful independent manicure technicians may earn salaries of over $50,000 per year. Nail technicians can earn up to $100 per hour from performing more technical nail treatments, such as a French pedicure and sculpting, although these treatments are not popular for the feet. A standard pedicure treatment usually costs around $40.

Tools and nail cosmetics

; Tools *

Acetone Acetone (2-propanone or dimethyl ketone) is an organic compound with the chemical formula, formula . It is the simplest and smallest ketone (). It is a colorless, highly Volatile organic compound, volatile, and flammable liquid with a charact ...

* Cotton balls *

Cuticle A cuticle (), or cuticula, is any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticle" are non- homologous, differing in their origin, structu ...

cream * Cuticle pusher or Cuticle nipper * Foot bath *

Lotion Lotion is a low-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to the skin. By contrast, creams and gels have higher viscosity, typically due to lower water content. Lotions are applied to external skin with bare hands, a brush, a clea ...

* Nail buffer *

Nail file A nail file is a tool that can be used to gently grind down and shape the edges of nails. They are often used in manicures and pedicures after the nail has been trimmed using appropriate nail clippers. Nail files may either be emery boards, c ...

Nail polish Nail polish (also known as nail varnish in British English or nail enamel) is a lacquer that can be applied to the human Nail (anatomy), fingernails or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates. The formula has been revised repeatedly t ...

* Orange woodstick * Toenail clippers * Toe spacers *

Towels A towel () is a piece of absorbent cloth or paper used for drying or wiping a surface. Towels draw moisture through direct contact. Bathing towels and hand towels are usually made of cotton, linen, bamboo and synthetic microfibers. In househo ...

* Pedicure Spa *

Pumice stone Pumice (), called pumicite in its powdered or dust form, is a volcanic rock that consists of extremely vesicular rough-textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. It is typically light-colored. Scoria is another vesicular ...

(removes dead skin from the sole of the foot) *

Paper towel A paper towel is an absorbent, disposable towel made from paper. In Commonwealth English, paper towels for kitchen use are also known as kitchen rolls, kitchen paper, or kitchen towels. For home use, paper towels are usually sold in a roll of p ...

s (rolled between toes to separate them) ; Nail cosmetics: *Base coat *Cuticle creams *Cuticle oil *Cuticle remover *Dry

*Liquid nail polish *Nail bleach *Nail conditioner *Nail dryer *Nail polish remover *Nail polish thinner

Types of pedicures

There are various types of pedicures. Some of the most common types are as follows (names and products may vary from spa to spa): Foot Soaking at a spa

*Regular pedicure: A simple treatment that includes foot soaking, foot scrubbing with a pumice stone or foot file, nail clipping, nail shaping, foot, and calf massage, moisturizer, and nail polishing. * Shanghai pedicure: A traditional foot medicine deriving from Chinese medicine that involves soaking feet in hot water and using a scalpel. *Spa pedicure: Includes the regular pedicure and generally adds one of the following- Paraffin dip, masks, mud, or seaweed treatment. *Dry or Waterless pedicure: A pedicure typically includes nail shaping, cuticle cleanup, callus smoothing, moisturizer with massage, nail polish, or buffing, but definitively without soaking the feet in water. Often callus smoothing, nail shaping, and cuticle cleaning are all performed with an electric file. *Paraffin pedicure: A treatment that includes a regular pedicure but also includes the use of paraffin wax. The feet are covered with layers of paraffin wax to moisturize feet. *Stone pedicure: A foot massage that involves the use of different essential oils that are rubbed with the help of hot stones for the massage of the feet and legs. *French pedicure: A regular pedicure that involves the use of white polish on the nail tips with a sheer pink color on the base. *Mini pedicure: This focuses mainly on the toes with a quick soak, nail shaping, and polish, but does not include massage or sole care. This is designed for an appointment between regular pedicures for generally well-maintained feet. *Athletic pedicure: Similar to a regular pedicure for both genders. It includes either a clear polish or toenail buffing. Usually, the aromatics used will be more cool, such as peppermint, cucumber, or eucalyptus. *Chocolate pedicure: A pedicure which may include a chocolate foot soak, chocolate foot mask, or chocolate moisturizing lotion. *Ice Cream pedicure: A pedicure where a "bath ball", which looks like a scoop of ice cream, is chosen. The soak is followed with a foot scrub (usually vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry) and topped with a whipped moisturizing lotion. Red nail polish simulates the ice cream's "cherry". *Margarita pedicure: A regular pedicure that includes a salt scrub, soaking water with fresh limes, a lime-based massage oil, and moisturizer. *Champagne or Wine pedicure: This is a regular pedicure usually featuring a grape-seed scrub, grape mask peel, and finished off with a grape seed oil or moisturizing massage.

Risks

Improper or unsanitary pedicures can increase the risk of

infection An infection is the invasion of tissue (biology), tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host (biology), host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmis ...

. First, some pedicure practices can damage the skin if performed too aggressively and thus increase infection risk. For example, using a

to shave off calluses on the sole can result in abrasions, and cuticle nippers may accidentally remove too much of the cuticle. Second, instruments or foot baths may not be properly sterilized, introducing pathogens into already vulnerable skin. '' Mycobacterium fortuitum'' is known to cause infection in foot spas. These risks are particularly high for people with medical conditions that affect blood flow, sensation, immune response, or healing in the feet, such as diabetes. Major health organizations such as the CDC recommend that diabetics do not soak their feet or remove calluses, and often have a podiatrist cut their toenails, which are some of the key parts of many pedicures. Solutions and chemicals used to cleanse or soak feet can also cause

skin irritation Irritation, in biology and physiology, is a state of inflammation or painful reaction to allergy or cell-lining damage. A stimulus or agent which induces the state of irritation is an irritant. Irritants are typically thought of as chemical age ...

. There can be a risk of developing an

ingrown toenail An ingrown nail, also known as onychocryptosis (from () 'nail' and () 'hidden') is a common form of nail disease. It is an often painful condition in which the nail grows so that it cuts into one or both sides of the paronychium or nail b ...

from improper trimming.

References

External links

Cosmetology Administrative Rules
, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation {{Authority control Nail care Foot Body modification