Pedicure at home - how to take care of your heels before the sea?

Preparing for the beach is not only about a swimsuit, sunglasses, sandals and sun protection. Your feet also deserve care, smooth skin and a fresh appearance before open footwear, long walks and summer days. If you want soft heels, neat nails and a well-groomed look, home pedicure can be a simple way to create a mini spa routine in your own bathroom.

Pedicure does not always have to be reserved for beauty salons. With good preparation, the right order of steps and appropriate products, you can care for your feet at home – from softening the skin, exfoliating and removing thickened skin, to moisturising, nail care and final nail polish application.

This guide explains how to do a pedicure at home, what you need for a basic treatment, how to care for cracked heels, what to use for dry and thickened skin, and when it is better to seek advice from a dermatologist or foot-care specialist, especially in case of painful cracks, nail changes or diabetes.

Author: Ljubica Barbulović, Master of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Operations Manager, Apotekarska ustanova “Alek”

What is a pedicure?

A pedicure is foot and nail care with both aesthetic and hygiene benefits. Its goal is not only a nicely polished toenail, but also the removal of thickened skin, softening of the heels, proper nail shaping, cuticle care and keeping the skin of the feet soft and healthy.

A professional pedicure usually includes a foot bath, exfoliation, heel care, trimming and shaping the nails, cuticle treatment and final moisturising. A similar basic routine can also be done at home with pedicure tools, foot cream, nail files, exfoliating products and heel-care products.

How is a pedicure done?

A home pedicure is best done when you have enough time and do not need to rush. First soften the feet, then gently remove thickened skin, shape the nails and finish with rich moisturising care. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, wounds on the feet, fungal changes or painful cracks, a home pedicure should be performed very carefully and with professional advice.

1. Preparation

Before starting, prepare everything you need. A basic home pedicure set may include a basin or foot bath, warm water, bath salt, foot scrub, pumice stone or heel file, nail scissors, nail file, cuticle stick, foot cream and nail polish if desired.

• basin or foot bath,
• warm water and a mild foot soak,
• foot scrub,
• heel file, pumice stone or foot rasp,
• nail scissors and nail file,
• moisturising or regenerating foot cream,
• cotton socks for better overnight care.

2. Foot bath

A foot bath softens the skin and nails and makes the next steps easier. Fill a basin with warm, but not overly hot water, add bath salt or a mild foot-care product and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes.

If your skin is very dry, avoid soaking for too long, as this may dry the skin further. After the bath, dry your feet gently, especially between the toes, to reduce moisture and unpleasant odour.

3. Exfoliation and removing thickened skin

After the bath, apply a foot scrub and massage in circular movements. Exfoliation helps remove surface dead skin cells, while a heel file or pumice stone may help with thicker areas. It is important not to overdo it or remove skin aggressively, as this may cause pain, irritation and further cracking.

For very hard heels, it is better to repeat care gradually several times a week than to try to remove everything in one treatment. If there are deep, painful cracks or bleeding, avoid rough treatment and seek professional advice.

4. Nails and cuticles

Toenails are best cut straight, without rounding the corners too much, because improper trimming may contribute to ingrown nails. Use nail scissors and a nail file for shaping, and push back cuticles gently without deep cutting.

If you notice nail thickening, colour changes, crumbling, separation of the nail from the nail bed or pain, do not cover it with nail polish. Such changes may require advice from a dermatologist or pharmacist.

5. Moisturising and massage

After exfoliating and shaping the nails, dry your feet well and apply a rich cream. For dry skin and cracked heels, creams that soften, nourish and restore the skin barrier can be especially useful. Massage the cream into the heels, soles and dry areas of the feet.

For a more intensive effect, apply a thicker layer of cream in the evening and put on cotton socks. This step helps keep the care on the skin for longer and is especially useful for dry and rough heels.

6. Final touch

If you like nail polish, the nails must be dry and free from excess cream. You can apply a base coat, two thin layers of colour and a top coat. See the nail polish category for the final aesthetic step of your pedicure.

7. Maintenance

To keep your feet well cared for, pedicure should not be done only before going to the beach. Use foot cream regularly, exfoliate once a week or as needed, and remove thickened skin gradually. Regular care helps keep heels softer and reduces roughness and tightness.

Cracked heels

Cracked heels are a common problem, especially in summer when open footwear is worn, but also in winter when heating, hot water and low humidity further dry the skin. The skin on the heels may become dry, thickened, less elastic and prone to cracking.

Cracks on the heels are not only an aesthetic concern. When deeper, they may hurt, sting, bleed and make walking uncomfortable. Special caution is needed in people with diabetes, poorer circulation or skin changes on the feet, because every wound on the foot requires careful monitoring.

What is good for cracked heels?

For cracked heels, the most important steps are regular moisturising, softening thickened skin and protecting the skin from further dryness. Foot creams, heel balms, urea-containing products, petroleum jelly and nourishing formulas may help the skin become softer and more elastic.

Petroleum jelly is often used as a protective layer that helps retain moisture. It is best applied in the evening after washing and drying the feet, either over a cream or on its own, followed by cotton socks. However, if the heels are painfully cracked, bleeding, red, warm or swollen, professional assessment is needed.

Baking soda for cracked heels

Baking soda is often mentioned in home recipes for softening feet and mild exfoliation. It may be used occasionally in a foot bath, but it should not be overused, because frequent use or too strong a concentration may dry or irritate the skin.

If you use baking soda, keep the bath mild and short. Afterwards, rinse the feet well, dry them and always apply foot cream. Read more about safe use in the article what baking soda is used for and how to use it safely.

Additional foot care: blisters, corns, sweating and fungal changes

Foot care does not end with pedicure and heel cream. During summer and when wearing open or uncomfortable footwear, blisters, thickened areas, corns, unpleasant odour, increased sweating and changes between the toes may occur.

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