8.4 The Basic Pedicure: Nail Rasp, Curette, Callus Softeners & Procedure

Quick Answer: A Kansas basic pedicure follows this order. (1) Prepare a clean and disinfected foot spa and station. (2) Inspect the feet, and don't proceed over fungus, open sores or inflamed skin without a physician's statement. (3) Soak in water of a comfortable, tested temperature. (4) Trim toenails straight across, then file the edges and use the nail rasp in one direction along the sidewalls. (5) Apply cuticle remover and lift debris from the nail folds gently with a curette. (6) Apply callus softener to callused areas only and smooth with a foot file, never a blade. (7) Massage the feet and ankles. (8) Dehydrate and polish with toe separators. (9) Reprocess implements and disinfect the foot spa before the next client.

Before the Service

• Clean your hands (K.A.R. 28-24-2). Pedicures often involve contact with calluses and debris, so many technicians wear single-use gloves.
• Foot spa: it must have been cleaned and disinfected after the previous client (K.A.R. 28-24-9). Check that the screens and jets are free of debris. A basin liner, if you use one, is new for each client.
• Station: clean towels, a clean paper or towel on the footrest, implements from the labeled clean container, and single-use items (pumice, file strips, toe separators, flip flops) new from covered storage.
• Consultation and inspection: ask about diabetes, circulation problems, blood thinners and allergies. Look between the toes, on the soles and at the nails before soaking. Kansas prohibits service over fungus, ringworm, open sores or inflamed tissue suggesting a communicable condition until a physician signs a statement that it is not contagious (K.A.R. 28-24-3). The Board's consumer guide also tells clients not to shave their legs within 24 hours before a pedicure, because fresh shaving can let bacteria enter the skin.

Safe Handling of Pedicure Implements

Toenail clippers

• Trim toenails straight across, roughly even with the end of the toe.
• Do not round or cut down into the corners. A sharp corner left in the nail groove can grow into the skin and cause an ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis).
• Take thick nails off in small cuts rather than one squeeze.

Nail rasp

• A nail rasp is a metal implement with a grooved edge. It files and smooths the edges of the toenail, especially along the sidewall where a clipper leaves a rough edge.
• File in one direction only, not back and forth, with light pressure, so the edge is smooth.
• Don't dig the rasp into the nail groove or skin. It works on the nail plate edge only.
• A metal rasp is multi-use: clean and disinfect it after each client (K.A.R. 28-24-10). It is not a prohibited razor-type device.

Curette

• A curette is a small, spoon-shaped implement for removing debris from the nail folds and along the edges of the toenail.
• Use the rounded side against the nail plate, gently, never into living tissue. Don't dig under the free edge into the hyponychium or into the sidewall skin.
• It is multi-use: clean and disinfect it after each client.

Callus softeners

• Callus softeners are alkaline products (often containing potassium hydroxide or similar ingredients) that soften the dead, thickened skin of a callus so it can be smoothed.
• Apply them only to callused areas, such as the heel, ball and edges of the foot. Keep them off thin skin and out of cuts.
• Leave them on only for the time on the label, then remove the product thoroughly with a damp towel or rinse.
• Read the label first and wear gloves if the manufacturer directs.

Foot files, paddles and pumice

• Smooth the softened callus with a foot file or paddle, using light, even strokes. Don't remove too much, since the callus protects the foot.
• Abrasive strips, sandpaper foot files and pumice stones are single-use. A metal or plastic paddle base is cleaned and disinfected.
• Never use a Credo blade, callus shaver or any razor-type device. They are prohibited (K.A.R. 28-24-14(a)(4)).

The Basic Pedicure Step by Step

1. Seat the client comfortably. Remove polish from the toenails.
2. Soak the feet in warm water in the clean, disinfected foot spa for a few minutes. Test the temperature yourself, since clients with diabetes or poor circulation may not feel heat.
3. Lift one foot out and dry it, including between the toes.
4. Clip toenails straight across, then file the free edge smooth and rasp the sidewall edges in one direction.
5. Cuticle care: apply cuticle remover, push back the eponychium gently with a pusher, lift debris from the nail folds with a curette, and nip only dead tags.
6. Callus care: apply callus softener to callused areas, wait the label time, smooth with a foot file, and remove all residue.
7. Repeat on the other foot.
8. Foot and ankle massage with lotion (section 8.3), within the Kansas scope of arms, hands, ankles and feet.
9. Dehydrate the toenails. Insert new toe separators, then apply base coat, two color coats and top coat. Give the client new flip flops.
10. After the service: put metal implements in the labeled, covered used container. Discard pumice, file strips, toe separators, liner and cotton in the covered receptacle. Bag used towels. Clean and disinfect the footrest and station. Then drain, clean and disinfect the foot spa (section 8.5), and clean your hands.

Clients Who Need Extra Care

• Diabetes or poor circulation: gentle pressure only, no cutting, careful water temperature, no aggressive callus work, and a physician referral for any wound.
• Ingrown toenails, corns, warts or thick fungal nails: do not treat them. Refer the client to a physician.
• Clients on blood thinners: bruise and bleed easily, so use very light technique.