Many women, and a growing number of men, make the time to get pedicures regularly to keep their feet looking their best. But is there an advantage of getting a pedicure when dealing with your foot health? With the thousands of steps the average person takes in a day, pedicures can be a great way to provide primary care for your feet. Here are some of the pedicure benefits for your foot health.
What is a Pedicure?
While many people may use the term ‘foot pedicure,’ the term pedicure already refers to a cosmetic treatment performed on your feet and toenails. Pedicures usually include:
- Foot soaks. Soaking your feet in water will aid in relaxing the skin.
- Foot scrubs. Scrubbing them will remove any calluses and heal dry feet.
- Foot moisturizers. Moisturizer is applied via foot massage techniques.
- Nail care. Trimming and filing on the toenails.
- Cuticle treatment. Treatment includes pushing back the cuticles and applying nourishing cuticle oil.
Some of the most commonly used pedicure tools include:
- Foot spa soakers
- Exfoliating foot scrubs
- Nail brushes
- Foot files
- Toe separators
- Cuticle removers
- Nail buffers
Pedicure Benefits
Getting a pedicure done can help the way you look, the way you feel physically, and how you feel mentally. Here are some of the benefits a pedicure can provide to your foot health.
Infection Prevention
Since pedicures involve clipping, cutting, and cleaning the toenails, they can prevent nails from growing inward and becoming infected. They also get rid of dirt and bacteria that accumulate under the nails, causing foot odor and toenail fungus. In addition, moisturizing can prevent your skin from becoming dry, cracking, and getting infected.
Improves Blood Circulation
When having your pedicure done, you’ll enjoy the foot massages. But they don’t just make you feel good because massages also help improve blood circulation in the body. That will help relieve any tension found in your calves and feet.
Why is blood circulation so important? When your blood circulates effectively, it prevents such things as pain, arthritis, and varicose veins.
Promotes Healthy Nails
As mentioned above, pedicures can prevent infection by keeping your toenails clean. You can also get your nails buffed, making them shiny and increasing the flow of nutrients they receive. Improving the blood flow around the body includes blood flow to the nails, contributing to healthier toenails.
Improves Mental Health
Our stressful lives are detrimental to our foot health because of all the pressure we place on them. Stress can lead to:
- Trouble sleeping
- Joint pain
- Weak muscles (increasing the risk of injury)
- Difficulty in controlling weight
Since all these factors affect our mental state, foot massages can better our mood by combating stress, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, you will be able to put your mind at ease during a pedicure and feel better with beautiful feet.
Pedicures Help Detect Foot Issues
While pedicures can help prevent foot issues from developing, other factors can lead to more severe problems with your feet and toenails. If your nail technician detects an early sign of issues such as corns, bunions, or fungal infections, then your local podiatrist will be able to provide the best treatment.
Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle’s podiatrist team specialize in wound care, bunions, fungal infections, and other chronic foot and ankle-related pain. Schedule an appointment with us today, and we will have you back on your feet in no time.