Pedicure is not only about shaping the nails, but also about treating the feet, so pedicure kits must provide all the necessary operations.
In the modern beauty industry, hardware pedicure devices are becoming increasingly popular, in which all bulky instruments are replaced with miniature cutters and discs.
Pedicure and its specifics
Pedicure is a hygienic and aesthetic procedure that ensures healthy feet. Includes treatment of the skin of the feet and nails . If you do it once a month, you will get a beautiful shape of your nails, soft heels, no cracks on your feet, prevention of fungal diseases and unpleasant odor.
The procedure is suitable for almost any woman. Requires a pedicure kit, warm water, nail polish remover and polish (if necessary).
The pedicure procedure includes
- softening rough skin of the feet,
- removal of the top layer of epithelium,
- reducing calluses,
- massage,
- work with cuticle,
- nail treatment and correction.
Hardware method
Performing a pedicure using the trimmed method is contraindicated for some diseases. One of them is diabetes mellitus. In this case, the feet are processed only with a milling cutter. The use of various attachments helps to carefully drill out the usual dry calluses, corns, polish the plantar area and remove cuticles.
There are many of them. Each master selects nozzles for himself. The main thing is to purchase them in stores that sell professional pedicure tools. The minimum set includes the following cutters:
- Cylindrical, which reduces the length of nails.
- A diamond nozzle in the form of a truncated cone, which is used to process the edge and end of the nail.
- Cylindrical with notches for removing excess volume in case of hyperkeratosis.
- Ball-shaped diamond nozzle for processing cuticles.
- Needle-shaped carbide for processing nail folds.
- Rubber nozzles with replaceable abrasive caps.
- Carbide titanium attachment for working with the plantar part of the foot.
A professional device may be supplied with a set of cutters supplied by the manufacturer. They have a standard size suitable for all devices.
What is a pedicure set
A set of tools for tidying up your feet and toenails can be purchased at any cosmetic store. All elements are made of stainless steel, the blades are sharpened as sharp as possible. The latter allows you to carry out skin, nail and cuticle care work in a short time. Different brands offer 5 tools and more.
There are three options for sets: small, classic, mixed . In the first case, the package contains only the most necessary items for foot care. Classical ones have from 8 instruments. Mixed products include products that are suitable for pedicure and manicure. They are often supplemented with special items that help perform SPA treatments.
Basic mechanical pedicure tools
| Tool | What is it needed for |
| Wire cutters | Useful for reducing the length of nails. They do a good job of cutting corners and removing burrs. Suitable for working with keratinized nails. |
| Scissors | The set may be straight and/or rounded. They are needed to trim layers of skin and cuticle. |
| Nail files | Usually there are two nail files in a set. The first is suitable for rough processing. It is distinguished by coarse-grained coating. The second performs the grinding function. |
| Pumice, grater | It is a heel grater. These two types differ in that pumice is made from a special hard rock. A grater has small blades or a rubbing surface. Often made of steel. |
| Machine | Used to safely remove dead or dry skin. Made from stainless steel. |
| Pusher | Tool for removing cuticles. It happens two-sided. Using a spatula, the cuticle is lifted and removed using a hatchet. |
Additional tools
Everything is clear with the basic tools for pedicure. But it never hurts to add a little more and use additional tools and materials.
All devices are selected based on the individual characteristics of the skin and nails.
| Tools | Characteristic |
| callus remover liquid | The liquid easily fights calluses and even the most advanced cases. |
| cuticle softener | If manipulations with steaming your legs do not help you completely steam the cuticle, then use a special product to soften it. |
| foot scrub | If you wish, you can use a scrub from a cosmetic store or make your own using sugar, salt and coffee grounds. |
| foot cream | Softening foot cream nourishes and moisturizes the skin after all procedures, and also relieves irritation. |
| finger pads | Foam pads easily separate your fingers and make working with your nails easier. |
| disposable slippers | Get disposable slippers so that after painting your nails you can put them on and calmly go about your business while the manicure dries. |
These are the pedicure tools that should be in the arsenal of a nail technician and home user. Monitor the quality of purchased devices and tools to minimize the risk of injury. Take care of your legs to always look great.
Types of pedicure sets
Pedicure apparatus
There are three types:
- classical,
- hardware
- SPA.
The classic look is used in trim pedicure. Modern manufacturing technologies make it possible to obtain a product designed for intensive use. Some kits include a trimmer.
The hardware pedicure set may differ in its power. Special foot care techniques have many advantages:
- you don't have to worry about damage,
- reduce work time,
- perform work at a professional level at home.
Treatment of feet and nails occurs using cutters that rotate at different speeds . They are powered by a motor.
Diamond bits are the most durable, but they are best used by people with experience. Ceramic ones are safer, so they are preferred by beginners.
SPA pedicure is recognized as non-invasive. With its help, the integrity of the cover is not compromised . For treatment, special products are used that “dissolve” corns and calluses. This process does not cause discomfort. To carry it out, you will need antiseptics, means for relaxing the legs, peeling, and compositions for restoring the dermis.
Tools for pedicure at home
To care for your feet at home, you don’t have to buy an expensive device. There are household appliances that allow you to effortlessly remove dry skin from your heels. They are completely safe; when you press them a little harder during operation, the rotation of the cutter stops. These devices are specially made to have low power. Usually, with their regular use, there are no large corns.
To treat fingers, you can use the attachments included in the package. For household devices, the diameter of the cutter does not allow the use of professional caps. Therefore, it is better to purchase a tool for home pedicure, for which you can later buy consumables. Typically, such devices do not last long, because over time the cutters become dull, and it is no longer possible to perform the procedure well.
The most economical option would be the trimming method, which gives good results if done weekly.
List of pedicure tools for home:
- Nail clippers or nail clippers.
- Pedicure grater 180/240.
- Pusher/scraper.
- Skin tweezers or nail scissors.
- Pedicure block.
If a problem such as an ingrown toenail bothers you quite often, you can purchase a special metal file. This is a tool with a narrow, serrated edge. They are convenient for reducing the side part of the nail that grows into the skin.
Mechanical and electrical: which one to choose?
These two types differ in their operating principle. Many professionals prefer to work mechanically They allow you to carry out all the procedures yourself. Often sold in special cases. Thanks to the large assortment, you can easily choose the optimal set according to your individual parameters.
How to choose tools for pedicure and manicure, a professional advises:
Unlike mechanical ones, electric ones are a portable machine that runs on batteries, a rechargeable battery, or an outlet. It includes blades, cone-shaped and cylindrical cutters, discs for filing, nail shaping, polishing, and removing rough layers of skin.
Choosing a mechanical set
- Pay attention to the plastic handles. There should be no chips or cracks on them.
- Metal parts must not fall out.
- It is better to give preference to professional options. They are made of durable steel, so they are suitable for repeated disinfection.
- The kit should contain all basic tools. If these are not enough, choose advanced models that allow you to perform the work better.
Small sets are produced under the brands Nail Care Set, Credo Solingen. Professionals will appreciate the products of ZINGER and Credo Solingen.
Features of choosing an electric model
- Choose a device that allows you to change the speed.
- If you are going to take it on the road, give preference to battery-powered types.
- Many people prefer types that include foot baths.
- The lower the power, the simpler the level of tasks that can be performed.
- In any case, you need to carefully study the instructions and understand how to use each attachment.
Products under the brands Vitek, Beurer, Scarlett are in demand. Their equipment is suitable for work at home and in the salon.
Combined method
It will not be possible to completely perform a pedicure using only one method in difficult cases where there are ingrown toenails, cracked heels and other problems. Therefore, a universal set of pedicure tools will include both types of tools in order to use a combined technology if necessary. In addition to the standard set, the following items are purchased:
- Ball-shaped burs for drilling calluses of different diameters.
- Metal file for ingrown toenails.
- Curettes, left and right.
- Nippers for ingrown toenails.
Professional pedicure tools of this specific nature can only be purchased in specialized stores.
Manicure items you may need
Often, special care is required when treating toes. This happens, for example, when preparing nails for applying gel polish. To file nails and give them a beautiful shape, use 180/240 grit manicure files. After filing the nails with the rougher side, the file is turned over and the end of the nail is sealed with the 240 grit side. With the same side you can remove detachments from the nail. Pterygium - the lower layer of the cuticle - can be removed by pushers (from the English “push” - push) and scrapers (manicure hatchets).
When the trimming method is used, manicure tweezers are used. It is convenient to choose a blade length of 5 mm. Some people remove the cuticle with nail scissors. They are available for skin, with thin blades, and for trimming nails, with wider blades. Experts do not recommend shortening your nails with scissors - the keratin layers become wrinkled and the nails begin to peel.
These are universal tools for manicure and pedicure, which can be sold in specialized departments. When purchasing them, they are guided by the choice of a brand from a well-known manufacturer of quality products.
The best electric manicure sets in the mid-range segment
The REDMOND RNC-4901 set belongs to the middle segment. The average cost of a model is about 3000-3500 rubles.
The set includes 9 diamond-coated attachments:
- Ball.
- Brush.
- Large and small cone.
- Polishing cutter.
- Fine grinding disc.
- Torch nozzle.
- Felt cone cutter.
- Thin cylindrical nozzle.
The set also includes a hand massage bath and an ultraviolet lamp. The device operates both from mains and battery. Rotation speed reaches 1000 rpm. The device also has a convenient storage case made of white plastic with a compartment for care products.
But there are several shortcomings in the set:
- The hot tub is very noisy and small.
- There are not enough cutters to work with cuticles.
Also popular in the middle segment is the Professional Nail Care Gezatone 136D model. Average price – 2500 rub.
The device includes 7 sapphire attachments that rotate in 2 directions:
- Coarse and fine grain sapphire disc.
- Felt cone.
- Large fine-grained cone.
- A thin cylinder with a sharp end.
- Large fine-grained profile nozzle.
- Thin cylindrical cutter.
Power reaches 4600 rpm. The advantages include the presence of a storage bag and a network adapter. But the continuous operation time does not exceed 30 minutes. The main disadvantage is the power of the device - it does not reach 5000 rpm. For sets in the mid-price segment, this is a very low figure.
For about 3600-4000 rubles. You can purchase the MEDISANA MPS model.
The set includes a total of 4 felt and sapphire coated tips:
- Felt cone.
- Sapphire coated disc.
- Large sapphire cone.
- Torch cutter.
All attachments rotate in 2 directions. It is also worth noting the very smooth speed control. The set is very light - only 140 g, so it is convenient to take it with you on trips.
The processing speed does not exceed 5200 rpm. The MEDISANA MPS model is known for its safe use, because when pressed firmly, the device turns itself off. The disadvantages include the lack of drying, lighting and a small number of cutters.
The best premium electric manicure sets
This premium electric manicure set is suitable for both home use and a beauty salon. The Laica SA 5440 manicure set can be classified as a fairly expensive model for home use. The price is about 6,000 rubles.
This set contains 13 abrasive attachments:
- Big and small cone.
- Cylindrical cutter.
- 4 oval cutters of different sizes.
- Large and small disk.
- 3 cylinders for skin of different sensitivity.
- Holder for abrasive cylinders for sanding leather.
The set also comes with a storage bag and an adapter. The model has soft power adjustment. The maximum level is 10,000 rpm.
It has practically no disadvantages, but it is worth considering that this is a rather expensive model.
The Babyliss 8480E model is a professional set that has 7 abrasive attachments:
- Large and small cone cutter.
- Milling cutter for polishing and processing.
- Disc for polishing ridges.
- Pin for cutting cuticle.
- Hairdryer nozzle for drying varnish.
All attachments rotate in 2 directions.
There are 2 speeds in total:
- 1750 rpm
- 6000 rpm
The device operates both from mains and battery. In addition to attachments, the set includes tongs, scissors and a storage container. The main disadvantage is that there is no opportunity to buy additional attachments. One of the best sets not only for natural, but also for extended nails is the ELLE by Beurer MPE100 model, which costs about 10,000 rubles.
The set includes 10 sapphire-coated attachments:
- Soft and hard sapphire cone.
- Soft and hard sapphire disc.
- A flame-shaped bur that helps in removing ingrown toenails.
- Cylinder.
- Ball.
- Felt cone.
- Needle-shaped cutter.
- Disc for removing rough skin.
All attachments rotate in 2 directions. The device is very powerful - up to 20,000 rpm, and the minimum speed is 1000 rpm. The body of the model is made of very durable plastic, so the set will last a long time.
Great for caring for nails on both hands and feet. The kit has practically no downsides. According to experts, the model fully justifies its price.
Advice from professionals
Some pedicure tools require a training course. This is due to the fact that a layperson has little experience in removing excess skin. He may not understand the location of the main vessels and capillaries, finds it difficult to determine the thickness of the skin in different places of the foot, distinguish the color of living and exfoliated tissue, and does not know many other features.
Experts warn against removing corns yourself using a pedicure knife. They work in conditions of good lighting and full visibility. When doing a pedicure yourself, these requirements are difficult to fulfill, so it is very easy to inflict a wound on yourself that will take a long time to heal.
Nail clippers are not intended for cutting nails. They can become unbalanced and become unusable. Thin blades are easily deformed, and then all that remains is to throw away the tool. They should not be dropped on the floor as the blades may become bent or stop closing tightly. The same applies to manicure scissors.
Pedicurists work only with sharp instruments. How do you know when it’s time to sharpen your tweezers or scraper? When the working blades become dull, the work progresses slowly, burrs remain on the proximal (posterior) nail fold after cutting the cuticle, and the scraper injures the skin due to the fact that it has to be pressed harder. In this case, they should be sent to a sharpening workshop.
