There are different kinds of pedicures. The kind I get mostly are just regular pedicures. My feet are first soaked in a warm bubbly foot bath. My calouses are pumiced and my calves and feet are massaged. The massage rubs in moisturizing lotion. Then my nails are trimmed and filed and polish is applied. I leave feeling very pampered. I like the massage the best.
Costs varied across the country. In Southern CA and NY you can get an inexpensive pedicure for about $15 but it is done by an unlicensed person who does not adhere to sanitation standards and you could pay a very big price for a very dangerous infection.
In CA I paid $40 for a meticulously clean pedicure. Here in Iowa I can either go to the beauty school for $27 or my regular salon for $37. Cleanliness is of prime importance to me.

Sounds like I'll need to shave my legs then. :-)

I'll ask around and find out which places here I should go to. We have a beauty school here - that's a good idea, too! I've never had one (or a manicure) and never thought I'd want one, but my feet are so dry and crusty. I just thought it might be a nice treat.

I pay $20 in an Asian place here in So Cal. I sit in a massage chair with my feet in a little foot jacuzzi. They cut and file nails. Cut cuticles, scrub/pumice bottoms of feet, massage feet and calves with lotion and oil, and paint nails. If you feet are crusty, you can pay extra for a paraffin treatment (dip in hot wax). It is really nice and helps really soften. I have only done it once because I am cheap. It is definitely a cheap way to feel really pampered. Enjoy! :-)

Naughtykitty, ask them to take the cover off the drain and show you how gunky it is. Sad to say, the Asian places usually work under just one person's license and don't follow sanitation standards.

" In Southern CA and NY you can get an inexpensive pedicure for about $15 but it is done by an unlicensed person who does not adhere to sanitation standards..."

NOT TRUE.

ALL states require licensing for pedicure. In CA the license must be even posted right at the workstation not in the reception area.

I started having Pedicures to keep from getting ingrown toenails that are very painful. I haven't been in two months, because I was "trying" to economize. I now have an ingrown toenail.

Good grooming of the toenails as you get older will keep you out of the Podiatrist office.

I'm going back into the Salon Tuesday(after I shave my legs). LOL!

You will be hooked, once you have a good Pedicure.

Gayle

I don't even know if you could get a pedicure here in Seattle without going to an place where all Asian women work. They definitely have the market on the pedicure/manicure business. I've never seen a place that wasn't immaculately clean and good practices used. I'm sure there out there, but most places seem on the up and up to me.

We call them spa pedicures here!

Where I go, they even slap your feet and calves!

I pay $20 for a spa pedicure.

My favorite leg message was with hot rocks. I'd like to have the whole body done. That was awesome.

Gayle

okwriter, Do not shave immediately before a pedicure. Shaving or even the use of a depilitory will create microscopic breaks or cuts in the skin that are not readily visible but that are still large enough for mycobacteria to gain entry. Shaving will increase your risk of infection. Google for pics of mycobacterial infections on legs after a pedicure in an unsanitary salon. Not pretty - pimply bumps that turn purplish, then seep and spread into ugly, pus-filled sores.

Even a licesed salon will take short-cuts when they are busy or just to save money on product. It's not right but it does happen.

I've never had a pedicure and never will...just not the type to have people I don't know handling my feet...heck, I don't even like haircuts...but when I walk past the place that does nails in Walmart, the smell of the place...I guess the lacquer in the polish??? is enough to keep me out of there.

Bud wi, I am absolutely sure that a salon I used to go to in Santa Rosa, CA and one I went to once in Bakersfield, CA had unlicensed people working there. Neither one had licenses posted at the stations. I filed a complaint about the one in Bakersfield because I got an infection from my pedicure. A hair stylist here in Iowa told me that most states just do not have enough staff to visit every place once a year to see if they are in compliance. I also know from personal experience that alot of the Asian places reuse the emery boards, which is a violation.
You might want to stop and think before you type, when you state that something another poster said is not true.

Yeah, "thinking" will be on my New Year's resolution list for next year.

If you are talking about going to an unlicensed "back alley" salon, yeah sure, of course they do not have licenses.

There are unlicensed taxis operating out there, unlicensed speakeasys, unlicenesed daycare centers, all sorts of people operating illegally. Even doctors and lawyers have been caught operating unlicensed.

And it is true that most states do not hire the manpower to properly police those who do obtain licenses to operate. No licensed business has a health inspector standing there every minute they are open nor do they visit once a week, not even monthly.

Of course you could probably get a cheaper manicure by going to an unlicensed person. You can also get cheap cab far by using one of those gypsy cab companies that do not have taxi licenses and most of their drivers don't even have drivers licenses. I know of some underground nightclubs operating too. And daycare centers operating out of homes.

I will still stand by my statement; ALL states require licensing for pedicure. In CA the license must be even posted right at the workstation not in the reception area.

When I posted I was assuming that we were all talking about legitimate businesses and not patronizing those operating illegally.

Maybe I will revisit this thread next year when I am able to do that new thing I've heard about called "thinking". It sounds like a lot of fun. Can't wait to try it!

I was really surprised the first time I went for a pedicure when she massaged and lotioned my legs all the way up to my knees. The next time I made sure to shave. I like the manicuring and painting of my toenails the best.

Costs me $25 and it takes her about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

I pay $25.00 for a licensed pedicurist to do mine in Nebraska. She does, as the others described, soaking, massaging, nail trimming and polish. It's a very relaxing procedure and my feet feel SO good when she's done. I have arthritis and diabetes and doing my own is just too difficult now, I really enjoy this luxury.

What is a pedicure?

HEAVEN!!!

I feel like I am the Queen, while getting a warm foot massage!! My feet/toes feel all nice and healthy and clean when I leave there. I am due for one now. Around here they run about $25 dollars plus tip. The spa pedicure (same as normal, but they use a tea tree seaweed scrub, then wrap your feet/legs in warm towels) Nice but usually not worth the extra $10 they charge.

Plus they have a huge selection of the tabloid magazines, so I get my fill for the month! lol

I appreciate all your answers and advice. I think I will spring for a pedicure something this month! They sound heavenly!!! I'm still having some pain in my outside calf above my left ankle, so maybe a massage will help that.