17 Different Types Of Pedicure For Your Perfect Toes

A classic pedicure is the simplest foot care treatment. It does not involve anything complicated or fancy and instead focuses on cleaning and grooming your toenails and feet. It can take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the salon. Also, go to a reputable salon that follows hygiene and safety protocols.

The procedure starts with a foot soak and then moves on to nail trimming, cuticle care, exfoliation, foot massage, and moisturization. You can paint your nails or leave them as is, depending on your preference. 

If you decide to paint your toenails after getting the classic pedicure, you can go for a French tip, also known as a French pedicure. A French pedicure is a French manicure for your toes. The steps involved are the same as the classic pedicure, but at the end, your toenails are painted sheer nude or pink with white stripes on the tip of the toes.

A French pedicure is timeless and loved by many because it looks natural and leaves the feet looking clean and polished. It is also easy to maintain and suits both formal and casual occasions.

A paraffin pedicure is a spa treatment that incorporates warm paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is believed to possess therapeutic properties. It helps soften and moisturize dry and cracked skin, leaving your feet feeling soft, smooth, and healthy.

After your feet are cleaned, exfoliated, and moisturized, the pedicurist melts the wax to a comfortable temperature and applies several layers to your feet. The wax solidifies into a thermal feet mask. It is left on for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the paraffin to work its magic. After that, it is gently peeled away, and a relaxing foot massage may follow. 

Shellac is a gel polish brand that is cured and hardened with a UV or LED lamp. Thus, a shellac pedicure requires shellac. People opt for shellac pedicures because the polish dries faster and lasts longer than traditional gel polish. This pedicure is perfect for people who do not have time to visit the salon regularly. 

After your toes are cleaned and moisturized, they are buffed for shellac application. A clear shellac base coat is applied, followed by a shellac polish of the desired color. This shellac polish is applied in thin layers, and each layer is cured under a UV or LED lamp to harden the gel.

One of the most unconventional beauty trends that exists is probably the fish pedicure. It involves soaking your clean feet in a tank filled with Garra Rufa fish. These fishes nibble at the dead skin on the feet, leaving them soft and smooth. Some people find the nibbling relaxing, while others find it tickling. It is not painful at all.

This method of exfoliating the dead skin replaces the manual method where the pedicurists remove dead skin with a pumice stone or a metal foot file scrub. The fish pedicure is believed to cure eczema and psoriasis.

A detox pedicure is a treatment that aims to eliminate toxins from the body through the use of ionic baths. There is limited evidence that exhibits the effectiveness of detoxifying through the feet, but it is still a popular pedicure option. 

In traditional pedicures, the feet are soaked in warm, soapy water, but in a detox pedicure, the feel is soaked in additives like Epsom salts, sea salt, essential oils, clays, and herbal extracts. The negative ions in these additives attach themselves to the feet and are flushed out. Some detox pedicures may even use electrical devices. 

Many people get a pedicure for deep cleaning and exfoliating, but some get it for therapeutic benefits. An aromatherapy pedicure uses essential oils to create a luxurious and relaxing spa experience. The calming scents of the essential oils can promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Soaking your feet in essential oils and massaging with it are the main features of this treatment. Your fee is massaging with these oils to improve circulation, reduce pain and swelling from inflammation, and relieve muscle tension. This pedicure is ideal for people with tired and achy feet. 

A callus peel pedicure is a revitalizing treatment that is designed to remove calluses on your feet. Calluses are areas of thick and hard skin that form due to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. They are harmless but could lead to other issues, such as infection or pain while walking.

In this treatment, the calluses are softened with a solution, gel, or patches that contain ingredients like salicylic acid or urea. These softening agents are left in place for a certain time to allow the chemicals to break down the skin. After that, the calluses are removed using a scraper specially designed to remove the dead skin.

Acrylic is often used in manicures to create artificial nail extensions, and its use has extended in pedicures. The acrylics used in this pedicure combine a liquid monomer and a powder polymer to form a paste and pressed onto your natural nails with a brush, sculpted to create your desired length and style, and air-dried. This method strengthens the fake nails and prevents chipping or breaking.  

Applying acrylic can be visually appealing, but it can be uncomfortable. Acrylics make the nails heavy and thick and could limit your flexibility while walking.

A spa pedicure is an elevated classic pedicure that is customized and more detail-oriented. It is done in a more calming and private environment than your regular salon. You can ask for specialized treatments like aromatherapy, paraffin wax dip, mud masks, hot towel wrap, seaweed treatment, calf massages, and reflexology treatment. 

If you decide to get a spa pedicure, consider your needs and preferences. Also, choose a reputable salon, as the spa treatments are more complex and require proper care than your classic pedicure. 

As the name implies, a hot stone pedicure involves the use of heated stones. Many believe that this unique treatment offers therapeutic benefits and can alleviate sleep issues. After cleaning and exfoliating your feet, the masseuse massages them with heated basalt rocks. They place these rocks on different pressure points on top and underneath the feet.

The hot stones are left on for 10 to 30 minutes to improve blood flow and relieve muscle tension. After that, the masseuse massages the feet with essential oils and wraps them with a hot towel to provide additional relaxation.

A wine pedicure may sound absurd, but it offers several benefits for your feet. In this pedicure, wine and other wine-related products are incorporated. It begins with soaking your feet in red wine rather than warm water. After that, your feet are exfoliated using red wine-infused oil or lotion. Some wine pedicures may include a wine mask or wrap as well.

A wine pedicure contains several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that benefit the skin. It can leave the skin soft and moisturized and heal cracked heels.

If you want to have a little fun during your pedicure sessions, opt for a jelly pedicure. This unique spa treatment uses a jelly-like substance throughout the pedicure journey. Your feet will be soaked in water mixed with powdered jelly instead of traditional warm water. The water will slowly turn into a jelly-like substance. A thorough soak in the jelly exfoliates and hydrates your dry and tired feet.

After that, your feet are exfoliated using a scrub and massaged like in any other pedicures and prepped for a jelly mask. The jelly-based mask is applied to the feet and removed after a certain time. 

The chocolate pedicure is perfect for serious chocoholics. It incorporates chocolate-based products into various aspects of the pedicure that will tantalize your senses. Chocolate possesses antioxidant properties that moisturize the skin and boost collagen production. Collagen keeps your feet looking young and healthy.

You soak your feet in chocolate or cocoa-infused warm water. This will soften the skin and provide a relaxing experience. After that, a chocolate scrub will exfoliate the dead skin cells on the feet. Then, your feet will be massaged using cocoa butter, leaving them smooth and shiny.

While most pedicures have aesthetic and relaxing purposes, a sports pedicure is to maintain foot health and prevent foot injuries that arise during athletic activities. This pedicure is especially designed for athletes. It relieves muscle tension in overused feet and keeps them in optimal condition. 

Before the massage, a specialist will examine the athlete’s feet to ensure the pedicure is tailored to their needs. The feet are then soaked in hot water with healing and relaxing ingredients like eucalyptus. Soaking softens the calluses and makes them easier to remove. Then, the athletes are given massages focused on specific muscle groups relevant to their sport. 

Like the sports pedicure, the diabetic pedicure is specially designed for people with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes impaired circulation and nerve damage. These issues make the feet more prone to wounds and infection. Therefore, pedicuring a diabetic client requires better care and different treatment options.

It begins with a foot assessment to check for cuts, sores, infections, or signs of other potential issues. Professionals also have to use tools safe for diabetes and avoid ones that cause skin breakage, as diabetics take longer to heal. 

A Shanghai pedicure is probably the most dangerous and not for the faint-hearted. This is a special pedicure that originated in Hong Kong and not Shanghai, as the name implies. It differs from the usual exfoliation, buff, and polish.

The procedure lasts almost an hour and involves a trained scalpel specialist. After your feet are soaked in warm water, the specialist uses a scalpel to remove the calluses. A scalpel is a small, extremely sharp blade used in surgeries. One can only imagine the chaos that will ensue if the skilled pedicurist makes one wrong move.