There are plenty of different ways that you can treat yourself, especially after a stressful week or a big achievement, and a pedicure is definitely one of them. Pedicures are incredibly popular beauty treatments offered in most salons, but not many people are fully aware of the many perks and benefits that they come with. There are still so many different misconceptions surrounding this beauty service that need to be tossed out, and here are a few examples.

Myth 1: Pedicures Focus on Toenails

When we think of pedicures, we often think of toenails, but it’s time that you zoom out a bit and get the bigger picture. While pedicures are best known for making your nails and cuticles look amazing, they also cater to the skin of your feet. The specific pedicure steps that each nail salon follows may vary, but there will always be a step or two dedicated to taking care of your skin.

You’ll notice that your beauty technician or specialist will assess your feet for any problem areas, such as calluses and rough patches, before targeting them with either an exfoliating scrub or a foot file. After this, a rich moisturizer, lotion, or cream will be massaged into your feet, sometimes even your lower leg as well, to ensure that you leave the salon with smooth and supple skin, as well as a fresh coat of nail polish.

Myth 2: Pedicures Only Make Your Feet Look Good

There’s no denying that you’ll leave your pedicure session with better looking feet and toenails, but that’s not the only benefit you can look forward to. Pedicures actually offer a much wider range of perks that extend far beyond appearances. Here are a few pedicure benefits you should know about:

• Your Nails are Protected: A fresh coat of polish not only helps your nails look better, but it also offers an additional layer of protection that shields your toenails from everyday wear and tear.
• You’re Less Likely to Get Infections: Dirt and bacteria can get trapped in different areas of your foot, but a pedicure offers a deep cleaning that will prevent these impurities from causing any infections. Pedicures also involve nail shaping and cuticle trimming, which reduces your chances of getting ingrown nails.
• Your Skin and Nails Become Healthier: Most pedicures will include a massage, which can help improve blood circulation. This means that more oxygen and nutrients will be able to reach your feet and nails, promoting their health and wellbeing. Aside from that, regular pedicures will also keep your feet and nails looking and feeling their best.

Myth 3: Pedicures Can Only Be Done in Salons

With your crazy and busy schedule, you might not always have the time to pop into your nearest beauty salon and book a pedicure appointment, but the good news is that you no longer have to. While pedicures are often done in salons, you can also enjoy these beauty treatments right in the comfort of your own home, as there are now plenty of home pedicure services that can bring the salon experience straight to your doorstep.

Home pedicure services can be much more convenient for many individuals, as you’ll no longer have to find a time that works for both you and your nail salon. Instead, you’ll be able to schedule your sessions and appointments around your daily life, while also saying goodbye to the tedious drive.

Myth 4: Pedicures Don’t Come with A Lot of Options

Compared to manicures, pedicures don’t really give you as much to work with. You can’t really experiment a lot in terms of nail length and shape, but that doesn’t mean that you have no options to choose from. There are actually a few different pedicure styles that you can explore:

• Classic Pedicure: A classic manicure involves trimming and shaping your toenails to your preferred shape before a nice coat of nail polish is applied on top.
• Gel Pedicure: A gel manicure is a great choice if you’re looking for a much longer-lasting and more durable layer for your toenails. Gel polish is formulated differently compared to regular nail polish, which makes it much more resistant to damage, and the bond it forms to your natural nail is also much stronger due to the UV lights that are used to cure it.
• French Pedicure: A french manicure comes with a classic but distinct look as the nail bed will be painted a nude or neutral color, while the tip is emphasized with white polish. For this pedicure style, your toenails may be shaped as a squoval, which comes with a flattened top and slightly rounded edges.

Myth 5: Pedicures are Just for Women

While pedicures are mostly enjoyed by women, even men can get a thing or two out of booking regular treatments. Pedicures come with a wide range of benefits that can be enjoyed by all genders, with these advantages extending beyond appearances.

Not only do they protect your toenails from daily wear and tear, but they also make sure that your feet are free of any rough patches, which can cause some serious infections and other conditions when left untreated. There’s also the undeniable fact that pedicures just feel great and can be an effective form of stress relief and relaxation, which everyone can take advantage of every now and then.

Contrary to popular belief, pedicures do more than simply make your toenails look amazing, and there’s no limit to where they can be done or who can enjoy them. By dispelling these popular pedicure myths, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the role that pedicures play in maintaining your feet’s health and appearance, all the while making the most of the options you have regarding styles and appointment locations.