How often should you get a pedicure?
It depends.
The condition of your feet, what type of pedicure you want, and how often you want to change your toe polish will all factor in.
In this post, we’re going to answer all of your burning questions about how often you should get a pedicure done.
So if you wanna know how long to wait between treatments, or what signs to look out for that is time to book your next appointment, read on.
How often should you get a pedicure?
According to Mavala’s nail care expert Lynne Gray, the average woman should get a pedicure every 3-4 weeks.
If your pedicure includes soaking, exfoliating, and the treatment of hard dry, or cracked skin then once-a-month pedicures are a good rule of thumb.
However, if you just want a polish change, you can certainly go more frequently.
Can you get your toes done too often?
Yes, it is possible to overdo it, says Gray.
Negative effects include “over-exfoliation” and overworking of the cuticles.
As Elegant Touch nail technician Sara Sordillo explains:
“Removing dead skin is great for the feet and skin regeneration but too often could result in healthy living skin being accidentally removed as well. Breaks of around 3-4 weeks allow enough time to avoid this as the next layer of dead skin will have developed.”
Another thing to consider is the overall health of your toenails, which can become weak, dry, and brittle from too much polishing and removal.
How long should you wait between pedicures?
As a minimum, you should wait at least 3 weeks between pedicure appointments.
By this time, a new layer of hard skin will have formed.
Waiting 3 to 4 weeks also gives toenails enough time to recover and rehydrate after the last pedicure session.
If you want to change your nail polish more frequently than that, experts recommend getting a basic polish change without the exfoliating scrub.
You can ask your pedicurist to just do a quick file, cuticle treatment, and polish change.
Is it ok to get a pedicure every 2 weeks?
The main concern with getting a pedicure every 2 weeks is that you could be exfoliating the skin on your feet too much.
You don’t want to be removing the live skin, only dead cells, which need 3 to 4 weeks to regenerate.
You can get a pedicure that involves massage, moisturizing treatments, and polish changes as often as you like.
But you should avoid the scrubbing part if you want to get a fortnightly pedi.
Is it ok to get a pedicure every week?
Most podiatrists and pedicurists agree that a once-a-week pedicure is too much.
A weekly pedicure really isn’t necessary unless you chipped your toe polish.
As we’ve suggested, a purely cosmetic file and polish are fine to have every week or two.
But you should allow 3 to 4 weeks between full pedicures unless you have a medical condition that requires more frequent treatment.
How often should you get a pedicure for healthy feet?
If you have healthy feet and you want to keep them that way, a monthly pedicure will do the trick.
A full pedicure every 3 to 4 weeks will help to remove dead skin cells, massage the muscles, and keep your toenails looking trim and neat.
If you have dry, hard skin, calluses, ingrown toenails, verrucas, or fungal infections, you may need to go more often.
Your podiatrist or nail technician may recommend more or less frequent visits depending on the condition of your feet and your nail growth rate.
How often should a diabetic get a pedicure?
If you have diabetes, you should get a medical pedicure to reduce the risks of foot problems like infections, ulcers, and gangrene.
A medical pedicure is a special type of pedicure that’s conducted by a podiatrist or other medical professional.
Your podiatrist will assess the condition of your feet and recommend the best course of treatment, which may involve more or less frequent pedicures.
Once a month is a good rule of thumb, but you may need to go more or less often depending on your individual circumstances.
How often should I get a pedicure to avoid ingrown toenails?
Too many pedicures can increase the risk of ingrown toenails, so it’s important to strike a balance.
If you have a history of ingrown toenails, you should probably avoid getting pedicures too often.
Every 4 to 6 weeks should be fine to keep your toes in good shape.
If you do get pedicures more regularly, make sure to tell your nail technician not to cut your toenails too short.
Also, ask them to gently round the edges when filing.
How often should you get a pedicure in summer?
Summer is high pedicure season for sure.
If you want to keep your toenails looking amazing in those open-toed shoes and sandals, you’ll need a regular pedicure during the summer months.
So how often should you go?
Well, how often you go is actually less important than what you have done while you’re there.
If you want a polish change only, the most frequently you should visit the salon is every 2 weeks.
But you may be able to go up to 4 weeks in between summer pedicures, especially if you have gel polish.
Of course, how often you need to visit the nail salon will depend on your lifestyle and how quickly your toenails grow.
If you’re a runner or you play sports, you may need to go more often to keep your feet looking and feeling their best.
You should avoid too many pedicures involving a foot scrub in the summer as over-exfoliation is bad for your feet.
Ask your pedicurist to skip the scrub if you don’t feel it’s needed.
How often should you get a pedicure in winter?
During the winter months, you can actually space out your pedicures a bit more.
Every 4 to 6 weeks should be fine as long as you’re not wearing open-toed shoes or sandals.
If you are, you may need to visit the nail salon more frequently to touch up your polish.
But generally, you won’t need to go as often during the winter because your feet will be covered up most of the time.
How long is a pedicure supposed to last?
A pedicure is supposed to last between 2 and 6 weeks.
How long yours lasts will depend on the condition of your feet, your lifestyle, and how fast your nails grow.
You should allow at least 3 weeks in between pedicures for optimum foot health.
The type of polish you choose can also affect how long your pedicure lasts.
Gel polish, for example, can last up to 4 weeks.
Regular nail polish will usually only last 1 to 3 weeks before it starts to chip and look bad.
How do I know when I need a pedicure?
So, what are the signs that you should book a pedicure?
Well, first of all, take a look at your toenails.
If they’re starting to look yellow, cracked, or otherwise unappealing, it’s probably time for a touch-up.
Also, pay attention to the skin on your feet.
If you have dry, cracked heels, a pedicure can help.
Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for that indicate you need a pedicure:
- Your toenails are starting to look ragged or overgrown.
- Your nail polish is chipped and looks bad.
- You have dry, cracked heels.
- You’re starting to get calluses on your feet.
- Your feet feel tired and uncomfortable.
If any of the above applies, it’s time to get those feet pampered.
Are pedicures good for your feet?
Absolutely. Pedicures soften and smooth out the skin, hydrate the feet and improve circulation.
They also keep toenails trimmed and looking their best.
But, as we mentioned before, it’s important not to overdo it.
Too many pedicures can actually damage the feet by over-exfoliating or causing ingrown toenails.
As long as you strike a balance, though, pedicures can be a great way to pamper your feet and keep them healthy.
How long does a normal pedicure last?
A typical pedicure lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.
The exact length of time will depend on the type of pedicure you’re getting and the condition of your feet.
For example, if you’re getting a basic polish change, it may only take 30 minutes.
But if you’re getting a more involved pedicure that includes a foot soak, scrub, and massage, it could take up to an hour.
Should I cut my toenails before a pedicure?
No, you don’t need to cut your toenails before a pedicure.
In fact, most nail salons will do it for you as part of the pedicure service.
If you do want to cut your own nails beforehand, just make sure you don’t cut them too short.
Final thoughts:
So, how often should you get a pedicure?
It really depends on your lifestyle and how quickly your toenails grow.
You should avoid too many pedicures involving a foot scrub in any season as over-exfoliation is bad for your feet.
Every 4 to 6 weeks should be fine as long as you have healthy feet.
And every 2 weeks is cool if you just want to change the color of your toenails.
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it helped you understand how often to get pedicures.
Thanks for reading.