Have you ever walked into a nail salon and asked the proprietor what do they use to soak feet in for nail trimming?
Chances are you got some interesting answers.
Some nail salons use tubs of warm water and some other “cleansing” agent that is supposed to make your feet smell great.
In truth most of the “cleansing” agents used by salons have harsh chemicals that strip away the skin’s natural protection.
What is towelling?
The first step in “cleaning” your feet in a nail salon is called “toweling”.
Essentially, they pour some warm water over your feet and then scrub away dirt, dead skin cells, and excess moisture with a moistened towel.
They may even sprinkle some kind of cleaning chemical on your feet.
How long do feet take to soak?
Generally, a good soaking time for feet is anywhere from fifteen to twenty minutes.
It really depends on the size of your feet.
One big misconception about soaking your feet at a nail salon is that it helps get rid of dry feet.
While it can help somewhat, there are other things to consider as well.
How much material is removed from your feet during soaking?
Did you know that soaking your feet removes approximately two inches worth of material from your feet?
That’s not very much.
The amount of “left over” material after soaking your feet is actually quite insignificant and certainly does not provide any sort of benefit.
Soaking your feet does nothing to resolve the issue of ingrown toenails or dry skin.
What about using mineral oil as a foot soak?
Mineral oil is fine.
But you may be better off trying plain old tap water next time.
The reason for this is that tap water contains a surprising amount of chemicals and pollutants that will irritate your skin.
And it will also attract a lot of dirt and dead skin cells, which can clog your pores and make your toenails look dirty and unsightly.
What exactly should you be using for soaking your feet in at a nail salon?
There are a number of products on the market that contain both chemicals and natural ingredients.
Many of these have been used for centuries to soften one’s feet.
One of the best known is known as a foot bath.
A foot bath will contain a variety of natural ingredients, such as calendula, hydrangea, heath leaves, and various oils.
While the chemicals will definitely create a chemical reaction with your skin, the natural ingredients will soothe and soften your feet without causing any negative side effects.
So what do nail salons use to soak feet in?
If you want to learn what is in that tub of water, it might be a good idea to go to a spa or beauty salon and ask them for a guided tour.
You can even look online for photos or videos of different foot baths.
What you will be able to see is that the most common chemicals contained in foot baths are mineral oil and ethanol.
Other chemicals may include glycerin, mineral salts, urea, lanolin, and fragrances.
Of these, mineral oil is the most common, because it is easy to find at any drugstore and is easy to use.
Vinegar seems to be the most popular option
This ingredient is used for a variety of reasons, but none of them really seem to tell us what we should be looking for.
For example, if the purpose of the soaking is simply to remove dry dead skin, then adding a few drops of vinegar seems to work just fine.
However, if you are soaking for the sole purpose of softening hard, brittle feet, then you may want to look for other options.
While the purpose of soaking remains vague, you can generally find some type of foot bath at almost any salon these days.
If you can find one with a few drops of something other than vinegar, then that’s even better.
What products do salons use for pedicures?
You might think that any professional beauty shop sells and uses the same products that you would find in a local salon.
The truth is, not all nail services are done at spas or salons.
In fact, some of them require products that can only be found in regular stores.
When people think about getting pedicures, they often think about the product being used at the salon.
This is true, but not entirely accurate.
Can you get a mani or a pedi at home?
You can purchase products that are used at a salon and used to create manicures and pedicures at home.
Many of these products are similar to those that you would find at the salon, but they may be in fancy packaging or have a different label.
Some of the most popular products used at a salon to create pedicures and manicures are acrylics and silicon products.
These products are water-based and are usually clear or frosted so that customers can see exactly what is being used on their hands.
Acrylics and silicon products that are used for pedicures and manicures are also great for trimming and shaping the ends of the nails.
What to do after soaking your feet
The last thing that a salon will use when it comes to pedicures is a product that is used to remove the cuticle on the nails.
This product helps to thicken the cuticle so that the shape of the nail is more consistent.
It also makes it much easier to hide broken cuticles that occur from using acrylics too often.
This makes the customer feel better about going into the salon and getting pedicures.
Some other products that are commonly used in salons for pedicures are acrylic and gel polish.
These products help to protect the cuticles from cracking while the products are still wet, which is something that is very important.
They are also used to help with hiding any damage that might have occurred during the pedicure process.
There are many different types of products that salons use for pedicures
Knowing what each product does is helpful to ensure that the customer is satisfied with their services.
The best way to find out what products do salons use for pedicures is to talk to the salon directly.
They can give you information on each of the items that they offer and their purpose.
Many salons offer manicures once a week or even daily depending on the length of time that it takes to pamper clients.
Manicures are similar to pedicures in that they too are done with a specific purpose in mind.
What is a nautical pamper?
There are specific products used to take away the dead skin from the nails.
This is known as nautical pamper.
These products are very similar to the products used to create false nails.
In addition to the products for pampering the nails, some salons offer a pampering treatment using products like moisturizers and scented candles.
The salon can also offer other products such as makeup.
Conclusion
Most salons use products that pamper the hands and feet, but some specialize in certain products, such as moisturizers.
Others offer a wide variety of products that are similar to the products found at home.
When considering which salon uses which products, it is important to ask the salon owner or manager first, since they are the professionals and will know which products their business uses and which they do not.