MANICURES AND PEDICURES FOR MEN

Manicures and pedicures are something that should be part of any man’s normal grooming routine.  It’s not about masculinity but more about hygiene and overall health. 

There’s good reason celebrities are fans of nail care for men and the growth of popularity in all kinds of personal care services for men is clear evidence that guys like this stuff.  

Manicures and Pedicures for Men

These men’s grooming services aren’t just for the rich and famous. If you work on your feet all day or rely on your hands to earn a living, you should appreciate them and treat them well. When your job demands heavy use of your hands, it is critical to avoid any hang nails that could get in your way. Adding a manicure and pedicure for men into your regular monthly routine can help you avoid these annoyances.

Manicures and Pedicures for Men at Home

There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to some hand, foot, and nail care at home. Manicure and pedicure for men can be easily done at home and have become more common as guys discover how luxurious, enjoyable, and beneficial they are. 

Many men are still uncomfortable walking into a traditional nail salon for a manicure or pedicure. If you want to show your hands and feet to some love without a trip to the nail salon or a men’s grooming parlor you can follow these easy steps for some home pampering.

Manicures for Men

At its most basic level, a manicure for men entails softening the skin on the hands, trimming the nails, filing and smoothing down the nail tip, and shaping the cuticles.  The process is quite simple and yes you can definitely do it yourself at home with a men’s manicure set. Follow these are the basic steps:

Soak Your Hands in Soapy Water and Give Them a Scrub

This is an important prep step to clean the nails and any gunk under the nails.  It will also soften the nails and the cuticles.  This will make it easier to trim the nails and how much to trim.

As the hands is soaked and soften, this is a great time to use a hand scrub to purge any dead surface skin all over your hands.  You can also use a pumice to smooth out any calluses on the palms of your hands.

Cut and Trim the Nail

A manicure for men starts with cutting your nails with a nail clipper. Clip only the white part of the nail and try to make as few clips per nail as possible. Extra clips leave your nail edge uneven and could lead to uncomfortable and unattractive hang nails. The key is to not cut too much. 

File and Smooth the Tips and Edges

Start by taking a nail file and gently file from one side of the nail to the other. Always move in the same direction - don’t file back and forth. Use this action to round the top of the nail, stopping when you feel the file starting to come into contact with your finger tip. It will be easy to get impatient and try to rush this, but take your time to avoid disturbing the tips of your fingers. Slow down - nail care for men is self care time.

Push the Cuticles back and Cut Back the Excess

The cuticle is the area where your nails meet your skin. If the cuticles are still a bit tough then soak them again after you’ve trimmed your nails to soften them.  Use a cuticle stick (wooden or steel) to gently push them up naturally.  Don’t force it too much, this should be easy. Remove excess cuticle with a cuticle clipper and not with your fingers. Ripping at a loose cuticle may cause a jagged look and will lead to bleeding, swelling, hang nails, and possibly even infection so don’t do it!

Your nail should have a better shape and might even look bigger as the cuticle has been pushed back and trimmed. 

Hydrate the Hands and Cuticles

Rinse and soak your hands in some clean luke warm water.  Dry the hands and apply a hand lotion for men.  Look for one that is moisturizing without being greasy. This will help soothe and hydrate your hands and heal any nicks that occurred when performing the manicure for men. 

What to Expect from a Manicure for Men

There’s a lot of pampering to look forward to from a manicure for men. The professionals at these businesses will clean the nails, treat the cuticles, remove dead skin cells and callouses with a  pumice stone, and give your hands an elevated spa experience.

How Often Should You Get a Manicure

This is all based on preference but to keep your hands and nails looking their best, plan to get a manicure for men once a month. You can handle your hand and nail care at home if you prefer but getting a professional manicure is a good place to start if you’re new to this aspect of men’s grooming - plus it’s a nice self-care experience to have.  A manicure for men is totally normal and a smart thing to do for guys who take their appearance seriously. 

Whether you’re on a job interview, on a date, or just going about your everyday tasks, don’t you want fresh, clean, smooth hands? Men’s grooming is important for all people so yes, a male manicure is normal, healthy, important and should become a part of your self-care routine. 

How Much Does a Manicure for Men Cost?

A basic manicure for men generally costs between $20-$40, depending on where you’re located and which specific salon or grooming lounge you choose. And while that’s the basic cost, don’t forget to tip your manicurist for their service.

Benefits of a Manicure

There are many perks to getting a male manicure. They include:

• Improved Self Confidence - When you take care of your appearance, you know you’re always looking your best and get a substantial boost of self-confidence.
• Enhanced Joint Mobility - Getting a manicure for guys improves circulation and can help improve joint mobility in the hands.
• Less Nail Biting - Keeping your nails trimmed and manicured reduces the chance that you’ll be tempted to bite at them.
• More Touchable Hands - Your soft, clean, well-maintained hands present a great first impression in a handshake and are much more pleasant to the touch for a romantic partner.

Pedicure for Men

Similar to a manicure, a mens pedicure entails taking care of your nails, cutting back the cuticles, and hydrating your skin.  A man pedicure isn’t especially difficult or complicated, but it does require some specific tools and the right technique. Like a manicure, you can easilydo all of these things with a home pedicure for men. But a pedicure is something I look forward to quarterly because quite simply, a professional pedicure makes my feet look and feel like a million bucks!

Splurging on a professional pedicure for men is totally worth it. Depending on where you go, your mens pedicure might include a foot massage, a warm water foot bath, and other luxuries. This is an excellent self-care treatment that has a variety of benefits especially if you’re on your feet all day. Consider scheduling yourself a monthly man pedicure. Your feet will thank you and so will your romantic partner.

No doubt you can also choose to DIY your pedicure for men at home - just follow these steps and grab a pedicure nail clipper as your toe nails are thicker and tougher than those on your hands:

Soak the Feet

Just like a manicure soaking is an important first step for any male pedicure, whether it’s professional or at home. Use warm water in the bath tub with some mild cleanser. This will start to soften the skin, clean the debris from under the nails and allow for a more thorough treatment. Let your feet soak for 2-5 minutes. 

Exfoliate the Skin with a Scrub and or Pumic Stone

While your feet are still wet, exfoliate them with a physical scrub.  You can easily get away with using urth’s men’s face scrub for this and then follow thru with a pumic stone to get all the tougher harden skin and callouses. Getting rid of all that accumulation helps prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus. You’ll notice a bit difference once the skin is exfoliated and callouses are removed 

Trim and Clip the Nails

Clip just the outermost white part of the nail. Clip as few times per nail as possible for the best results. That helps prevent ingrown nails and hang nails.

File and smooth the Edges and the Tips

Use a nail file to gently smooth the edge of your nails, moving from one side to the other - don’t go back and forth. Round the nail and stop once you feel the file coming into contact with the tip of your toe.

Push and Cut Back the Excess Cuticles

After cutting your toe nails, soak the feet again to soften the cuticles.  Use a cuticle stick to push back the cuticles and cut any extra cuticle with a cuticle clipper and not with your fingers. Don’t get too aggressive here because ripping at loose cuticles can cause bleeding, swelling, hang nails, and even infections.

Always remember that nail care for men should be gentle and not harsh. After the cuticles are pushed back and excess is trimmed your nails should look hygienic and clean.

Finally, rinse your feet with warm water, dry it and apply a rich moisturizing lotion to keep those feet soft and hydrated. Regular pedicure for men is part of overall nail care for men. It remove excess dead skin on your feet, reduce sore spots, and prevent gunky buildup around the nails.

I look forward to getting at least one professional pedicure for men each year right before summer. Why? Because they feel incredible and the professionals are able to reach areas you can’t on your own, plus, for the summer season, I am living in flip flops and sandals daily.

Not only that, but your feet come out looking, smelling, and feeling great and your romantic partner will thank you for that. 

What to Expect When Getting a Pedicure for Men

When new to the experience of a pedicure for men, men are often anxious about exactly what’s is the process. Here are the basics of the process:

• Foot soak
• Exfoliation/scrubbing
• Nail clipping
• Buffing
• Hydrating and Moisturizing

How Long Does a Pedicure for Men Take

Pedicures for men typically take about 30-45 minutes depending on how they are performed, the person doing the pedicure, and the grooming lounge . You should block off about an hour if you’re going to get a professional pedicure - more if it’s your first time or you haven’t had one in a while.

At home, you can probably handle your own pedicure for men in about 15-20 minutes. That’s because you’re not going to get as in depth as a professional would.

How Long Does a Pedicure Last

The results of a professional pedicure for men generally lasts about a week or two, depending on how it was performed and how you treat your feet. You can make it last longer by doing some basic maintenance on your feet and nails each week after your initial pedicure for men.

How Often Should You Get a Pedicure

This is all based on preference and your personal budget.  A male pedicure can be done as often as you wish to be pampered and how good you want those feet to look. Some guys go for a pedicure once every month while others go more frequently.

Benefits of a Pedicure

Getting a pedicure for men regularly is important and has many benefits:

• Healthier Nails - Trimmed nails are less likely to develop fungus since they can’t get as much dirt, bacteria, and gunk trapped beneath them.
• Smoother Skin - Removing calluses and dead skin keeps your feet much smoother.
• Less Foot Odor - Trimming and cleaning your nails plus reducing the accumulation of dead skin on your feet contributes to less overall foot odor.
• Improved Circulation - The massage-like aspect of getting a pedicure contributes to improved circulation in your feet which can also help reduce inflammation.

Manicures and Pedicures for Men should be part of your men’s grooming routine. Taking care of your nails is a relaxing, soothing experience that also provides a variety of benefits. So this should definitely be part of your men’s grooming routine.

Getting a pedicure for men regularly may help you avoid a variety of foot and toenail issues, perhaps even saving you from an expensive and unpleasant trip to the podiatrist. Having your feet tended to and moisturized regularly prevents infections, improves overall toenail health, and reduces the chance you’ll develop ingrown nails, corns, and calluses. 

Aftercare and Maintenance

After you get a manicure and pedicure for men, there are some basic aftercare practices you should follow. This will keep your hands and feet in top shape and ensure your results last as long as possible. 

Keep Nails Short

Trim both your finger and toenails regularly, generally once a week. They should be kept short and not extend past your finger or toe tip - too short and you’ll experience irritation and pain, too long and they’ll be more prone to getting dirty. Remember to do the following when it comes to nail care for men:

• Slightly round the edges of your finger nails and toe nails 
• Cut your toenails straight across
• File your nails in one direction, not back and forth
• Moisturize with a rich and emollient lotion after trimming the nails
• Sterilize your clippers and other tools regularly

Keep the Nails Clean

Soak your hand and feel and gently remove any dirt from underneath the nails or around the cuticle area regularly. Be careful not to dig into the nail bed when cleaning as this could cause irritation or lead to infection. Follow up with a moisturizing lotion to keep both hands and feet hydrated, moisturized and soft. 

Use a Good Nail Kit and Nail Brush

Fingernail clippers, toenail clippers, cuticle sticks, nail files, and nail brushes are all vital parts of your personal nail care kit. Use your nail care products for men to diligently clean and trim your nails as part of your men’s grooming regimen.

Men’s Health Tips for Feet Wellness 

Change Your Socks Often

Your feet sweat a lot, so changing your socks daily is a good idea in order to avoid excessive moisture, dampness and odor. This is especially important after working outside or exercising.

Wash and Dry Feet Thoroughly

Many common mens feet issues - including athlete’s foot - can be avoided by washing and drying your feet regularly. This can be hard, though, because men’s feet tend to sweat a lot and being on your feet all day for work gives you little chance to dry them.

When washing your feet, don’t forget to get between your toes. Dry this area out as well afterwards. When done, use body lotion for men to seal in moisture and prevent dryness, cracking, and irritation. 

Wear Slippers in Gym Locker Rooms

If you frequent gyms as part of your weekly routine be sure to wear slippers when changing or when heading to rinse off after a workout.  Gym locker rooms and wet spaces iare notorious for harboring germs. Protect your feet!

Trim and Cut those Toe Nails Just Right

Be sure to sterilize your toenail clippers before each use. To do so, soak them in alcohol, then wash away any debris and dry them thoroughly before storing.

When cutting your toenails, don't try to cut the whole nail at once. Instead, do about half at a time and cut straight across. This is important upkeep for between men's pedicure appointments. 

Still Got Cold Feet? Here are the Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Manicures and Pedicures for Men

A men pedicure and manicure may sound a little out of your comfort zone at first, but guys can greatly benefit from them! 

• Taking pride in your appearance is a great way to impress a partner (or potential partner).
• Having happy feet and healthy hands is something every man appreciates.
• A pedicure and manicure for men is a pampering self-care opportunity.
• Calluses don't budge on their own, but a pedicure for guys will scrub them away.
• It’s the best way to get rid of dry skin, dirt, and cuticles issue effectively.