What Is a Pedicure? Steps, Types, Time & Cost Explained

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Pedicure?
2. What Happens During a Pedicure, Step by Step
3. Types of Pedicures
4. How Long Does a Pedicure Take?
5. Pedicure vs Manicure and Other Common Questions
6. How to Get a Safe, Clean Pedicure
7. Frequently Asked Questions

TL;DR

• A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment for the feet and toenails, usually including a soak, nail trimming and shaping, cuticle care, callus smoothing, a massage and polish.
• Main types: classic, gel, spa and medical pedicures. Salons do cosmetic pedicures; podiatrists handle medical foot problems.
• Our prices: classic pedicure $45, gel pedicure $65, spa pedicures from $80 to $180.
• A classic pedicure takes about 45–60 minutes; spa tiers with masks, paraffin and longer massage take 60–120 minutes.
• Safety basics: don't shave your legs beforehand, decline foot razors, and choose a salon that sterilises tools, as the APMA and AAD recommend.

`What is a pedicure` is a fair question if you have never had one, or if a menu full of "deluxe," "CBD" and "paraffin" leaves you unsure what you are paying for. This guide explains what a pedicure is, every step, the main types and what they cost, so you can choose with confidence.

What Is a Pedicure?

A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment for the feet and toenails, performed by a licensed nail technician. It typically includes soaking the feet, trimming and shaping toenails, tidying cuticles, smoothing rough skin and calluses, a foot and lower-leg massage, and a finish of regular polish or gel.

Where the word comes from. "Pedicure" comes from the Latin pes (foot) and cura (care), literally "foot care." A manicure is the same idea for the hands.

Cosmetic, not medical. A salon pedicure keeps feet clean, soft and neat. It does not treat medical problems such as fungal infections, painful ingrown toenails or diabetic foot issues. Those belong with a podiatrist.

1. What Happens During a Pedicure, Step by Step

1. Consultation. Your technician checks your feet and asks about polish colour, any sensitivities, and health conditions.
2. Soak. Feet soak in warm water to soften skin and nails. Spa pedicures add bath bombs, salts or citrus.
3. Remove old polish. Regular polish is wiped off; gel is soaked off.
4. Trim and shape. Toenails are clipped and filed straight across, which helps prevent ingrown nails.
5. Cuticle care. Cuticles are softened and gently pushed back, not cut.
6. Callus smoothing. Rough heels are smoothed with a file or callus treatment. Foot razors should never be used.
7. Exfoliation and mask. A scrub removes dry skin; spa tiers add a hydrating mask.
8. Massage. Lotion or oil massage for the feet and lower legs; some tiers add hot stones or paraffin.
9. Polish. Base coat, two colour coats and top coat, or gel cured under a lamp.

Why some steps matter for safety. The American Podiatric Medical Association's pedicure pointers advise against cutting cuticles, rounding toenail edges, and using foot razors, because each can lead to infection or ingrown nails.

2. Types of Pedicures

Spa pedicures include regular polish; add $20 for gel colour. A callus add-on for a classic pedicure is $10+.

Other styles you may see:

• Russian (dry) pedicure: no soak, detailed e-file cuticle work. See our Russian pedicure guide.
• Men's pedicure: same service, usually buffed instead of polished. See our men's pedicure guide.
• Medical pedicure: performed by or with a podiatrist for problem feet.

Learn more about spa treatments in our spa pedicure guide and CBD pedicure guide.

3. How Long Does a Pedicure Take?

Times vary with nail condition, callus work and polish choice. Our nail appointment length guide covers every service.

How long does a pedicure last? Regular polish on toes usually looks fresh for about 2–3 weeks, and gel for 4–6 weeks. Our how often should you get a pedicure guide helps you plan a schedule.

4. Pedicure vs Manicure and Other Common Questions

How much to tip? 15–20% is standard. Our nail tech tipping guide shows dollar amounts for every pedicure tier.

Gel or regular polish? Gel lasts longer and needs no drying time; regular polish is cheaper and easier to change. Our gel pedicure vs regular pedicure guide compares them.

5. How to Get a Safe, Clean Pedicure

Use this checklist before and during your appointment:

• [ ] Don't shave your legs for 24 hours before, as the American Academy of Dermatology's manicure and pedicure safety tips advise
• [ ] Check that the foot bath is cleaned between clients
• [ ] Make sure metal tools are sterilised and files and buffers are new or single-use
• [ ] Decline foot razors and cuticle cutting
• [ ] Skip the pedicure if you have cuts, infection or a suspected fungal nail
• [ ] If you have diabetes or poor circulation, see a podiatrist first; read our diabetic pedicure safety guide

At our salon, implements are medically sterilised after each use and buffers and files are single-use. Nevada's State Board of Cosmetology publishes the salon sanitation rules licensed salons follow. Our shave before a pedicure guide explains the shaving rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pedicure?

A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment for the feet and toenails done by a licensed nail technician. It usually includes a warm soak, toenail trimming and shaping, cuticle care, callus smoothing, exfoliation, a foot and lower-leg massage, and regular polish or gel.

What is included in a basic pedicure?

A basic or classic pedicure includes a soak, nail trimming and shaping, cuticle care and polish. Many salons also include light callus smoothing and a short massage. At our salon a classic pedicure is $45, and a callus treatment add-on is $10+.

What is the difference between a pedicure and a spa pedicure?

A spa pedicure adds extras to the basic service, such as scrubs, hydrating masks, callus treatment, longer massage, hot stones and paraffin. Our spa pedicures range from $80 for the Signature Deluxe to $180 for the Marvelous CBD Luxury, with regular polish included.

How long does a pedicure take?

A classic pedicure takes about 45–60 minutes and a gel pedicure about 60–75 minutes. Spa pedicures take around 60–120 minutes depending on the tier. Allow extra time if you choose regular polish, because it needs to dry before you put shoes on.

Do they cut your cuticles during a pedicure?

They should not cut healthy cuticles. The American Podiatric Medical Association advises against cutting cuticles because they protect against infection. A good technician softens them and pushes them back gently, trimming only loose, dead skin if needed.

Can men get pedicures?

Yes. Pedicures are for everyone and are popular with men for callus care, nail trimming and tired feet. Many men choose a buffed, no-polish finish. The service and prices are the same; see our men's pedicure guide for details.

Book Your First Pedicure

Marvelous Nails & Lashes, 4080 Paradise Rd, Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89169. Open Monday–Saturday 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM. New to salons? Read our first-time nail salon guide. See every price on our pricing page, book online, or call (702) 550-8855.

---

Sources:

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Pedicure Pointers, accessed 2026-10-26
• American Academy of Dermatology — How to safely get a manicure and pedicure, accessed 2026-10-26
• Nevada State Board of Cosmetology — Salon rules and regulations, accessed 2026-10-26