What makes a pedicure superior? Most people will say, “Because my feet look good!” And while attractive feet can certainly be a hallmark of good foot service, a superior pedicure goes beyond aesthetics and delivers resilient, healthy feet that feel good and provide protection from infection.
How do you know if you’re getting a truly superior pedicure? During your next appointment, look for these five things that transform a pedicure from average to superior.

1. The service is performed by a highly qualified nail technician.

During every appointment, you’re placing your trust in the nail technician to deliver a safe and effective pedicure—and that requires him or her to be knowledgeable of foot conditions, health risks and appropriate treatments. What qualifies a nail technician varies greatly around the world. In the United States, for instance, requirements range from no licensure or certification to 600 hours of training and passing a State Board Exam. With a range so wide, how can you know? Regardless of the legal requirements in your area, seek out a nail technician who goes above and beyond what is required and continuously educates themselves through formal training, product education and staying current within the industry. Most nail technicians will proudly display education certificates and eagerly share new knowledge learned from a recent seminar or product launch. If you’re not sure how qualified your technician is, don’t be afraid to ask about their specific training and experience.

2. The pedicure starts with a consultation

One size never fits all. If a nail technician delivers a cookie-cutter pedicure without knowing your particular background and issues, you may not be satisfied. Worse yet, you could be putting yourself at risk. In order to deliver a safe service, a technician must be aware of certain medical conditions you may have (like diabetes and allergies) and certain medications you may be taking. For these reasons, the client consultation is arguably the most important part of a pedicure. Even before the service starts, your technician should ask you about any foot or skin conditions or concerns you have—anything from foot odour or cold feet to thick or discoloured toe nails to dry cracked heels—and also discuss what improvements you’d like to see from the service. After a thorough inspection of your feet, your technician can then deliver a service that will precisely target your needs. The Footlogix Pedicure Consultation Pad is an excellent Footlogix resources that helps technicians highlight common issues and collect and keep all vital client history.

3. All products and treatments are professional grade

Most mass market foot care products and treatments often contain dehydrating salts and acids, lower concentrations of active ingredients and/or aggressive ingredients that must be washed off. While these products may feel good, the results are usually short term. A superior pedicure uses superior, professional products, which can make a big difference in the quality of your service. The Footlogix line is the world’s first and only pediceutical® foot care line. Footlogix products provide transformational results using revolutionary and proprietary technologies, such as Dermal Infusion Technology® (DIT), to deliver highly concentrated, non-aggressive ingredients that are safe for all skin types—even for people with diabetes. The Footlogix home care line, available only through professionals, offers equally effective and fast-acting treatments that can be used at home.

4. Sanitation and Safety are Paramount

The risk of infection from unsanitary pedicure equipment and tools is no laughing matter. Skin infections, ulcers, even amputation, are all real risks encountered by pedicure clients. For a superior pedicure, your nail technician proves that your health and safety are a number one priority by maintaining impeccable sanitation standards and infection control protocols. But don’t take their word for it—watch your technician at work. Is their pedicure station clean and tidy? Do they replace towels and wipe down table tops and arm rests after each appointment? Do they use foot basins with disposable liners? If not, are spas drained and sanitized between clients and are logs of weekly foot spa cleanings available? How does the tech sanitize their implements and tools? Remember, not all tools are sanitizable or sterilizable! For example, porous foot files and pumice stones are one-time use products and should be disposed of after every client and are not recommended for a safe pedicure, while the Footlogix Professional Stainless Steel File can be disinfected in an EPA-registered disinfectant or sterilized in an autoclave.

5. The technician gives you home care instructions

Most nail technicians would love it if you came in for a weekly pedicure. But for most clients, this isn’t possible or practical, making home care even more important for maintaining healthy feet. For a pedicure to be superior, your nail technician should take time to recommend products, which address your specific needs, provide detailed instructions on application and frequency, and point out things to look for between appointments. Footlogix home care products ensure you’re taking the best care of your feet post-pedicure. Your technician can “prescribe” the right Footlogix home care products and provide clear instructions using the Footlogix At-Home Care Pads.

Top five qualities of a superior pedicure