pedicureGoing to get a pedicure can be a very relaxing activity. Having your feet massaged and your toenails pampered can be a wonderful thing! But not all nail salons are created equal!  Be careful when choosing your nail salon. Always make sure the establishment you’re using is clean and uses either sterile or disposable instruments. Another option is bringing your own instruments and cleaning them yourself at home. Nail salons can be a hot bed for nail fungus and viral infections!! (For cleaning your instruments at home, a dilute bleach solution is best.  1 part bleach to 10 parts water is effective in killing the viruses and fungus that can live on your nippers).

The key to a good nail salon is communication. Especially if you have a medical condition like Diabetes, or an immune condition that alters healing, a cut or an infection on your foot could be very serious. You should be able to communicate with your nail technician about any concerns, questions, or special requests that you may have. If you have a medical condition such as Diabetes, it is always best to have your podiatrist perform your skin and nail care to prevent any risk of infection.

Below are some tips to performing your own, at home, pedicures:

The 35 minute Pedicure

Soak: 1-3 minutes

Soften skin by soaking feet in warm water. Add a handful of salts to help soothe tired feet.

Academy Pick: Golden Tree Foot Care Foot Soak

Note: Epsom salts are an excellent choice for sweaty or smelly feet. Other products to soak sweaty or smelly feet in can be found at our Online Store.

Exfoliate:  3 minutes

Pat your feet dry, then slough off dead skin cells with a dry foot file. Choose a file with a medium grit, or use a less abrasive foot buffer to get the job done.
Academy Pick: Foot Buffer Pro

Trim and File: 4 minutes

Trim nails straight across using a straight-edge clipper. Use three cuts on each nail, as clipping the whole nail at once can cut it too close to the skin. Smooth the edges with a fine-grit emery board.

Academy Pick: PediNova III Electric Nail Kit

Moisturize:  1 minute

Rub a rich cream on your feet, top and bottom. Don’t forget your heels and cuticles.
Academy Pick: Barefoot Botanica Cracked Heel Repair Cream

Polish: 10 minutes

Clean leftover cream from nails with a cotton pad soaked in polish remover. Apply a base coat, two coats of nail color, and a topcoat.

Academy Pick: Dr.’s Remedy or Nourish Enriched Nail Polish. These polishes are infused with antifungal ingredients.

Dry:  15 minutes

Give nails at least 15 minutes to dry before slipping on open-toed shoes (it can take up to two hours for them to dry fully). To speed things up, apply quick-dry drops after the topcoat.

If you have any questions about getting a pedicure or giving yourself a pedicure, make sure you contact one of the Foot and Ankle Specialists at Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists to find out what products and/or services might be best for you!

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