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Manicure and Pedicure are terms that carry a strong feminine vibe along with them. Men and nail care? Jeez, what a pair to think of. And let us tell you if you think you don't like this, you are missing out on a lot of good grooming stuff. Standing today, the word grooming is incomplete without complete head-to-toe treatment. A celebrity like Ayushman Khurana is a great fan of nail care for men. If your feet have held you firm to the ground and your hands help you earn all that money, then it is quite all right to appreciate them sometimes for their hard work. Trust me! Just using a clipper to cut your nails is not enough. Here's all that you need to know about why should you consider getting a manicure or pedicure.
WHAT ARE THESE?
Nail care irrespective of gender is of two types. i. Beauty and cosmetic treatments for the fingernails and hands performed at home or salon are known as a manicure. ii. Beauty and cosmetic treatment of the toenails and feet performed at home or salon is known as a pedicure.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A SALON?
The majority of salons across India offer a normal nail care routine which will include soaking, exfoliation, nail clipping, and buffing. However, you can go the extra mile by asking for a nail coating clear nail polish to strengthen your nails. Let us see what to expect generally if you are going for your first nail care routine: Manicure 1. The procedure starts with normal nail cutting. The experts will cut your nails and give them a proper U shape. 2. Any junk or dirt between your skin and nails will be removed painlessly. 3. Then comes the nail file smoothing out the uneven and sharp edges, and defining the U-shape further. 4. The cuticle clipper clips off the excess cuticle. If your cuticles are way out of shape, they will use a cuticle stick to push them back towards the end of your fingernails. 5. Wrapping up the procedure, they will wash your hands and apply a moisturizing lotion to them to make them soft as well as to check any nicks during your manicure process.
Pedicure 1. The procedure starts by soaking your feet in warm water in a foot tub for 2-5 minutes. 2. The exfoliation process begins with a scrubbing product that gets rid of the dead skin cells. 3. The experts will cut your toenails and give them a proper U shape. 4. Any junk or dirt between your skin and nails will be removed painlessly. 5. Then comes the nail file smoothing out the uneven and sharp edges, and defining the U-shape further. 6. The cuticle clipper clips off the excess cuticle. If your cuticles are way out of shape, they will use a cuticle stick to push them back towards the end of your fingernails. 7. Wrapping up the procedure, they will wash your hands and apply a moisturizing lotion to them to make them soft as well as to check any nicks during your manicure process.
While the majority of the clients wrap the session with a quick buff-out, some go for some quality massage to call off their nail care sessions.
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE
While it may sound all easy and simple, there is a list of things that you need to keep in mind if you are a first-timer: 1. Always ask about the services they offer, if you act all savvy just because you read the procedures, you might miss out on some free services. 2. Inform the experts on any medical condition or allergies of your hands and feet before the process, which would require them to be gentle with it, as well as forbidding any chemical product that might irritate. 3. It is better to let the cuticles be as they are the first time. As this could open skin and lead to serious infection. 4. To avoid the formation of ingrown nails, ask them to cut straight. 5. If you are tackling specific concerns, tell your nail expert beforehand so that they can customize your nails according to your need. 6. Always ensure the nail experts are using fresh nail tools or washing them properly after each service.
DIY TIPS FOR NAIL CARE AT HOME
Once you know the steps, nail care at home is no big deal. All you need are, 1. Nail clipper with file. 2. Buffing sheets. 3. Wooden nail sticks. 4. Fragrant soap. 5. Moisturizer. 6. Jojoba oil. 7. Foot tub.
And you are all set to roll into your new manicure and pedicure routine.
Procedure: 1. Soak your hands and feet in warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Take the extra time as there is no customer after you and let your hand and feet enjoy a good soak. The more you soak, the easier your nails become to cut. 2. Cut each nail carefully and remove any visible dirt between your skin and nails.
3. Then file your nails to perfection. 4. It is better not to cut your cuticles on your own, just massage them with some quality Jojoba oil and push them back with the wooden sticks. 5. Instead of a fancy scrubber, take your file and file away your skin in up and down motion to get rid of all the dead skin cells and wash your feet in the tub afterwards. 6. After rinsing your hands and feet, dry them with a fresh towel or you can use a blow dryer for better results. 7. Finish by moisturizing your hands and feet with a dollop of cream and gently buff your nails to bring out the best of them.
A pro tip would be to use a UV sterilizer or some anti-fungal spray in your shoes to ensure the freshness and longevity of your nail care routine. BENEFITS OF NAIL CARE
Nail care is not only a fashion-savvy term, it has a good lot of benefits for your hand and feet before you label it as a feminine term as well.
1. A good session of nail care will prevent your nails from any fungal or bacterial attack, and your nails will look beautifully shaped as well.
2. You can switch to slippers easily to get more of a casual look without thinking twice, about how your feet look.
3. After that treatment, your skin will be smooth as butter and fresh like never before.
4. Say bye-bye to your stinky feet after those hectic days at work.
5. The hot water bath and exfoliation improve blood circulation.
6. Keeping your nails tip-toe also means no new holes in your socks.
Men’s hands and feet suffer a lot more abuse than women in general. Hence, if ignored in the long-term, it may lead to fungus build-up or bacterial attack. Above all, a nail care routine can uplift your mood and release your stress. Practising a nail care routine is not a feminine thing to do. Breaking the taboo once again, real men are measured by their work and efforts, not just by what grooming routine they follow. Help us break more such prevalent taboos by supporting us through our Instagram and Facebook pages, and join our grooming community on Whatsapp to be a part of the change.
