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BombshellBettie -> RE: How to Give a Pedicure... (12/15/2008 10:13:01 AM)
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Alright...time for the licensed nail technician to weigh in. There were some WONDERFUL points made in this original post, and in some of the subsequent posts. Particularly about diabetic feet. Washington and Oregon have laws about foot care for diabetics. Anyone with diabetes, or any type of circulatory issues of the feet should NEVER have an implement taken to their cuticles. Even an orangewood stick can cause damage that can allow for infection.
Even on a non diabetic, the use of implements needs to be done with tremendous care. Cuticle nippers should NEVER be used on healthy tissue. This would seem obvious, but so many of the cut-rate nail salons, which we in the industry refer to as "chop shops" will cut away the healthy tissue of the cuticle to give a clean line. The cuticle is a barrier between the body and the outside world. Cutting it away is like leaving your door open when a wind is blowing..everything just comes right in. Only trim away the tissue that appears white and dry after it is pushed back. If it feels elastic, or has a pinkish, yellowish or clear appearance, leave it be. Springy tissue needs to be left alone!
The point about not taking off too much callous can not be emphasized enough!! If Mistress wears heels, or is a runner, walker, or engages in any other particular sport, there will be a callous pattern that develops. Callous is the bodies own way of protecting joints. If you take away the pads on the ball of the feet, for example, you will cause pain the next time Mistress wears her 4" stilettos...You can smooth the callous, and make it look and feel better, but taking away too much will leave her limping.
My favorite tip for polish also involves an orangewood stick. As you polish, you may find little bits of polish getting on the skin around the nails. The easiest way to deal with this is to simply dip the end of an orangewood stick in polish remover, and use it to gently wipe away the spots. The stick can be run along the edge of the nail, down the sides, to clean the sidewalls, and give a smooth appearance. Make sure, before you apply your base coat, to clean the nail plate with polish remover. If you do not remove the lotion or oil from the nail, your polish will not adhere properly. Another wonderful yip I learned at the Day Spa I worked at was to have my client put on her flip flops BEFORE I applied polish..then there was no risk of damaging the polish afterwards, and there was no risk of slipping on the bare floor from the lotion.
Pedicures can be one of the most nurturing, rewarding things you can do for another person...I enjoyed it as a career, but the time came for me to move on...Now I enjoy recieving them...
Oh..clean up is an important point as well...implements need to be sanitized. Do not use bleach on any metal implements. Sally Beauty Supply seels Barbicide, and Cavicide, which are both acceptable for sanitizing implements. Never use files on more than one person...always scrub your foot file with soap, and hot water, using a nail brush. Then soak for 20 minutes in barbicide or cavicide. I suggest Sally because they are open to the public.
Happy pedicuring!!
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