Do you enjoy manicures and pedicures? Want to help others stay physically and mentally health? As a cosmetologist, part of the training you will receive in a cosmetology program at your local vocational school is how to properly perform manicures and pedicures. You will learn how to help your clients with cosmetic, hygienic and metaphysical wellness. There are many benefits for your clients that receive manicures and pedicures. Regular manicures and pedicures are important to keep nails in good condition, and leave hands and feet moisturized and soft. Whether the client wants to pamper themselves or stay healthy, a mani-pedi is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day.
What are the Benefits of a Manicure & Pedicure?
Manicures and pedicures offer many benefits, both physical and mental. People get manicures and pedicures for many different reasons. Not only do they have a cosmetic function but like massage they have both physical and mental benefits. Here are some of the benefits of manicures and pedicures:
Benefit #1: Pamper Oneself
Most people get a manicure or pedicure because they want to destress and improve their mental health. It is a nice break from the day, whether a self-help trip or an outing with friends and family. Taking a trip to a nail salon can help your clients pamper themselves a little with a manicure and pedicure. They will enjoy a nice warm soak, drink some tea and read a good book. Getting a manicure or pedicure is a time-honored tradition that parents pass down to their children and where best friends go to bond. Help your clients improve their mental health and well-being with a mani-pedi.
Benefit #2: Body Hygiene
Body hygiene is important for an individual to manage, and a pedicure can help. Many diseases and disorders are common like athlete’s foot, toenail infections, plantar warts, blisters, bunions, corns and callouses. Just before a pedicure is a great time for you to examine the client’s feet and notice any fungal infections or other diseases. You can help educate them on proper foot hygiene, so they keep their feet healthy in between appointments.
Pedicures keep the feet clean from dirt and bacteria, as well as odors. A pedicure will also remove calluses from the feet and allow the client to improve posture and properly distribute weight across the entire sole of the foot. Pedicures also help prevent in-grown toenails, and anyone that has seen a pediatrist with an in-grown toenail can attest to the pain of the procedure to remedy them.
Manicures also improve body hygiene by removing dirt and debris from under the nails, pushing back the cuticles, and trimming the nails so they don’t snag or tear. As a cosmetologist, before you begin a manicure or pedicure, it is important to sterilize all nail grooming tools. You will shorten and trim the client’s nails as needed. Then scrub the underside of the nails to remove any dirt or debris. Next, the client can moisturize their nails and cuticles with sun oil to prevent hangnails, cracking of the skin and nail snags. Finally, you can polish the nails and apply a topcoat to strengthen the nails and prevent breaking or splitting. Once the nails are clean and moisturized, you can work with your client to add nail polish or gems to stylize the nails for increased self-confidence.
Benefit #3: Increased Blood Circulation
While the client is getting a manicure or pedicure, they are also receiving a massage. This massage can help increase blood circulation from the limbs back to the heart. The blood will get oxygenated and help revive the body as a whole. Poor circulation can cause numbing, pins and needles, swelling, joint pain and cold hands and feet. Massage helps increase blood circulation to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.
Benefit #4: Skin Care & Moisturizing
A client’s hands are exposed to dirt and harsh weather. The excess oils and dead skin cells can build up causing tone issues, excess grime and cracking of the skin. A manicure and pedicure will exfoliate the skin, remove grime and dead skin, and moisturize the skin back to health.
Benefit #5: Self-Confidence
Nothing is better than a freshly trimmed nail with your favorite color of nail polish. Your clients may where sandals in the winter to show off their pedicure and leave off the gloves to show off the manicure. Looking good can improve a person’s self-confidence, help them meet their personal goals, and walk into the board room with head held high. Looking good allows your clients to feel good, and that is priceless.
Benefit #6: Style & Fashion
One of the great things about a mani-pedi is the finishing touch. You can work with your client to pick out the best shade or the perfect gems to create a unique look that is fashion forward. Are they more subtle and enjoy a clear coat? Do they like to make a splash with a beautiful red? How about adding gems to the nails for a stylish and unique look. The possibilities are endless.
What Do You Need to Give a Manicure or Pedicure?
There are many tools that you will use to give a mani-pedi. You will want to sanitize all tools in between clients and throw out any disposable items. Keeping tools clean can help stop the spread of disease through fungus and bacteria.
The tools that you will need include nail polish remover to take off the old nail polish and remove grime, nail clippers, file and buffer to shape and trim the nails, and a cuticle pusher to minimize the appearance of the cuticle. In order to remove nail polish and clean the nails, you will need Q-tips and cotton balls.
Next allow the client to soak their hands and feet in warm water to soften up the cuticles and nails. To clean, soften, and remove buildup from the hands and feet, use an exfoliating scrub and finish with foot file or pumice stone to remove dead skin or calluses on the bottom of their feet. Then comes a nice massage to relax the client, increase blood flow and help hydrate the skin with a moisturizing lotion. In order to make the nails beautiful, you will need a base coat to prime and strengthen the nails and a final layer of nail polish to stylize the nails. You can even put gems, stripes or other elements into the nail design to make them unique.
Having the right tools to properly finish a mani-pedi is important. The client is coming to you for a day of pampering, relaxation and stress relief. Make it a day to remember.
Final Thoughts
Giving a manicure and pedicure can be very rewarding. Helping your clients relax and stay physically and mentally healthy can put a smile on both you and your client’s face. Take the time to learn the trade and start a career that you will have a passion for.
Do you want to learn more about the benefits, skills and technique needed to perform a manicure and pedicure? Ready to become a cosmetologist? Earning your diploma in Cosmetology may be the next step in your career. Meridian College offers a Cosmetology training program in Florida that prepares you to deliver high–quality beauty and hair services to both men and women. Meridian College offers a hands–on Cosmetology training program giving you the skills you need to start an exciting career and become a leader in the beauty industry.
Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a cosmetologist.