The procedures for manicure and pedicure are almost the same. A manicure is actually a treatment for beautifying the fingernails and hands. Manicures start with cleaning the hands by washing or soaking, hand lotion application and shaping of the nails after filing. Nail polish is applied after this. There are also special procedures called the French manicures. A pedicure is also a beauty treatment, but concerned with the feet. It involves soaking the feet applying lotion, filing and shaping the toenails and applying nail polish.



Before starting on manicure and pedicure, it is necessary to visit a beauty supply store or a drug store in order to get the materials required for the treatment. The old nail polish has to be removed completely using cotton bands dipped in acetone remover since the usage of cotton balls could leave behind traces of cotton strands on the nails.

If this does not remove the polish completely then the cotton has to be soaked on the nails for some time until the nail varnish comes off completely. High quality clippers are much preferred for cutting the nails as they give us much better results and the nails have to be cut leaving about 1/8th of an inch length so that the nails don't extend over the tip of the fingers.

For acquiring a soft square shape nail its best to file from around the corners and edges in one direction using Emory boards and not metal files as they could rip the nails. In Emory boards the smooth surface is for softening the nail edges whereas the coarse surface is for shaping them.

Soaking the hands in case of manicure and feet in case of pedicure, in a bath of salt and aroma oils or Epsom salts will do your feet some good. Calloused feet require being soaked for longer hours and adding milk to the warm water will help loosen the dead skin.

Cuticle remover is applied to the nail bases and using orange wood stick the skin is pushed back to where it meets the nail during manicure and pedicure. Trimming of loose skin is done using cuticle nippers and care should be taken to see that the flesh is not cut. Exfoliators, scrubs or if possible wet pumice stone is used to remove the dead cells. Scrubbing too hard may cause reddening, in case of which the scrubbing should be stopped immediately.

Professionals usually apply at least one layer of clear nail polish to start off. Colored nail polish should be applied in three layers start with a base coat then the color coat followed by a top coat. Clear nail polish may also be used instead of base coat and topcoat. The manicure and pedicure is usually finished with a massage using oils and lotions.

In case of pedicure, the nails are to be dried before wearing shoes. Pedicure socks are available which can be worn without covering the toenails. These beauty treatments help in keeping the feet and hands in good condition making the skin soft and smooth. Improves blood circulation it nourishes the skin of the hands, legs and foot muscles and discourages numerous ailments.