What is manicure and pedicure?

A manicure is nothing but a beauty treatment for the hands and finger nails, whereas pedicure is the beauty treatment for the feet. The procedure for manicures include soaking the hands, followed by the application of hand lotion, shaping and filing the nails and finally ended by the application of nail polish. Similarly pedicure procedures are done by first soaking the feet, followed by filing and shaping the nails and finally applying lotion and polish to the nails. It is possible to give manicure or pedicure at home itself. For giving professional manicure or pedicure special tools should be collected.

Why manicure is done?

Manicure mainly concentrates on preventing the formation of hang-nail and other nail related damages such as tears, splits and fragile tips. As a part of manicure beauty treatment to the nails, managing of the hands is done to increase the circulation of blood and also flexibility of the wrist. Manicure also prevents the formation of wrinkles on the skin.

Tools For Manicure Procedure

The manicure procedure requires some tools like cuticle pusher, nail cutter, nail filer or emery board, cotton pads, orange stick, nail brush and some professional items. The materials employed are warm water, Nail polish, Acetone, Antiseptic lotion.

How is manicure done?

Initially the nail should be cleaned and the old polish should be removed with acetone using a cotton wool. The finger nails should be trimmed by using a nail cutter and shaped by nail filer. The hand should be soaked in warm water and cuticle remover is applied to remove cuticles and the fingers are wiped by a towel. The nail is cleaned by using an orange stick and cotton is immersed in Antiseptic lotion. Then a cuticle pusher can be employed to push back the cuticles. It can be then followed by massaging the hands for few minutes. Then the nail polish can be coated as a first layer. When this coat of layer becomes dry a second coat is applied. The fist coat is called base coat. The next is called color coat. Finally a top coat can be given to the nails. Often clear nail polish is used as base coat and top coat.

Why is pedicure done?

Pedicure is mainly done to clean the foot which is the most neglected part of the body. Pedicure is commonly done to take care of the legs, feet and toe nails. Like manicure it also needs some tools.

What are the tools and materials required for pedicure?

The basic tools required are nail cutter, nail filer, cuticle cutter and pusher, orange stick, enamel remover, pumice stone, moisturizer etc. The materials used are acetone, Antiseptic lotion, Nail polish, hydrogen peroxide, liquid soap, Luke warm water etc.

How is pedicure done?

The feet are soaked in warm water for few minutes and then it will be allowed to dry. By using enamel remover, the old enamel remaining should be removed with cotton cool. The nails should be evenly trimmed by using nail cutters. It is then followed by massaging the cuticles using the orange stick tipped with cuticle cream. The massaging should be in circular movements. Then, using pumice stone, foot scrapper and nail brush clean the foot. Again the procedure of soaking and removing cuticles should be done. The cuticle is soaked again and dried thoroughly. It is then preceded by the application of moisturizer. Finally the base coat is applied. Once it dries paint the nails with nail polish and apply the top coat for colored enamels.

Thus by giving proper preventive measures and protective treatments the nails can be prevented from acquiring infections. Remember once the nail diseases come, they are difficult to treat.