Your hands are constantly on show, and in summer, your feet are too. Neat, well-cared for nails add immeasurably to the appearance of your hands and feet, whether you are male or female. Treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure regularly keeps your hands, feet and nails in optimum condition.

Your hands are constantly on show, and in summer, your feet are too. Neat, well-cared for nails add immeasurably to the appearance of your hands and feet, whether you are male or female. Treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure regularly keeps your hands, feet and nails in optimum condition.

Most manicures and pedicures include exfoliation of the dead skin cells on your hands and feet to improve the appearance and stimulate regeneration. A pumice stone is used to remove dead skin and calluses from the feet, often the cause of aches and pains when standing for long periods of time. There is a lot more to a manicure and pedicure at a salon than just a coat of polish!

Cuticles are trimmed and treated with special hydrating products. Creams are used to massage the forearm and hand, as well as the lower leg and foot. This not only moisturizes them, it also improves blood circulation, important for skin rejuvenation. Pain from arthritis and other ailments is also relieved by the professional massage you will receive.

Many people may not realise it, but there are many nail diseases that a manicurist will be able to recognise. Some are highly infectious and may preclude the manicurist from giving you any procedures until they are treated. Fungal infections can be cured easily if caught early, but many nail diseases will require a doctor's attention.

Once your massage is complete, the manicurist will start on your nails. They will be cleaned, buffed, trimmed, shaped and polished if required. Using professional products and trained manicurists, salons can produce astonishing results with damaged or untidy nails. You can choose from their nail colours, or bring your own for them to apply. The manicurist will apply a base coat, at least two coats of colour and a top coat. Sometimes a treatment oil is added on top of the last layer to condition the nails and cuticles.

Manicures can last 2 to 3 weeks, and pedicures even longer. No matter how hard you try, you will probably never match that with a home pedicure. The secret is in the professional nail care products the salons use, and the expertise that goes into applying them all properly. After a professional manicure or pedicure you will definitely want to show your hands and feet off!

You may want a manicure and pedicure for a special occasions, or for a summer holiday where your feet and hands are definitely going to be on show. Some salons offer a mobile service, where the manicurist will come to your home or office to perform the treatments. This can be especially useful for business executives who may have a function to attend but no time to get to a salon, fighting traffic and parking scarcity on the way. Cars are not very nail-friendly, so eliminating the need to drive can help to keep your nails looking great for longer.

Try as you might, a home manicure is unlikely to look as good or last as long as a professional manicure and pedicure. Professionally applied, using superior products, salons offer a superb service that not only gives you great looking hands, feet and nails, it also gives you a relaxing opportunity to be pampered.