Finding the right pedicure schedule for your feet

Four things that set your schedule

Toenails grow slowly, so the calendar for your feet has more room than the one for your hands. Four things can pull that number in either direction.

• Footwear: open shoes show everything and let heels dry out faster
• Skin: thick heels and calluses tend to need attention sooner
• Polish: regular color typically wears two to three weeks on toes, and gel three to six
• Activity: runners, walkers and anyone on their feet all day may want visits closer together

A schedule that fits your feet

Treat these as starting points, then adjust once you see how your feet behave between visits.

Keep a note of the date your polish first chips or your heels start catching on socks. After two or three visits, those dates will show you your real interval.

• Every three to four weeks: sandals most days, which describes a lot of South Florida all year
• Every four to six weeks: mixed footwear and average skin, and about when gel starts to look grown out
• Every six to eight weeks: mostly closed shoes, no polish, and regular trimming at home

Alternate short and long visits

You don't need the longest service every time. Alternating a maintenance pedicure with a longer spa visit keeps your feet in shape and keeps the cost down. A Classic at $35 or a Deluxe at $49, about 40 minutes, handles the basics. Every second or third visit, a spa pedicure such as the Organic Spa at $65 or the Emerald Escape at $105 gives rough skin more time.

Add what you need and skip the rest. Callus Removal is $10 and takes about 15 minutes, and that may be all your heels need between longer visits. Gel polish adds $15 and about 15 minutes, and it can stretch the time between appointments.

Seen across a year, every four weeks comes to 13 visits and every six weeks is closer to 9, which is a useful way to think about what you would like to spend.

Looking after your feet between visits

A little home care lets you stay at the longer end of the range. Trim toenails straight across and leave the corners alone. Rub moisturizer into your heels before bed, and file dry skin lightly once a week.

Stay away from razor-style callus tools, since cutting thick skin at home can break it. A thin layer of callus helps protect your foot, so save any deeper work for your visit. Shaving your legs just before a pedicure can leave tiny nicks, which makes the day after your appointment a better time to shave.

Flip-flops in locker rooms and around public pools also help keep your skin clear of the fungus behind athlete's foot.

When to check with a doctor first

Some people should get medical advice before setting any schedule. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet, ask your doctor or podiatrist how often a pedicure is a good idea and what to avoid.

The same goes for an ingrown nail that hurts, a thick or discolored nail, or skin that is cracked, open or irritated. A pedicure isn't a treatment for any of these, and a podiatrist can tell you what is going on and when it makes sense to come in.

Questions guests ask

Is a pedicure every two weeks too much?

For healthy feet it's generally fine, especially if the visits are gentle and skip heavy callus work. Taking off too much thick skin too often can leave your heels tender, so tell your tech how recently you had one.

Should I keep getting pedicures if I don't wear polish?

If you like the result, yes. Trimming, cuticle care and smoother heels are useful on their own, and bare nails make it easy to stretch your visits to six weeks or so.

Does gel mean I can come in less often?

Often, since the color holds for longer. Your skin keeps its own schedule, though, and heels may want attention before the polish does. Four to six weeks still works well for gel toes.