On average, your pedicure can take around 30 to 90 minutes – the exact timing will depend on the type of pedicure, the polish used, and additional services.
If this is your first time getting a pedicure, you may be a little nervous. And, if you are anything like me, you want to know exactly what to expect so that you aren’t caught off-guard. Well, since I was a nail tech for many years, I can guide you through this process.
In this post I will explain how long does a pedicure take depending on the type of pedicure – I also walk you through what to expect with each service. Let’s get started!
How Long Does a Pedicure Take on Average?
A pedicure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.
I know what you are thinking – this is quite a discrepancy! Well, the reason for this is that there are different types of pedicures to choose from. These include the basic pedicure, full pedicure, and paraffin wax pedicure.
What’s more, you can choose from spa standard nail polish and gel polish. They each take a specific amount of time to be cured or set and this can add to how long the pedicure will take.
Don’t worry, as I will be explaining each procedure and giving you an estimate of how long each pedicure can take.
Types of Nail Polish
Before I get into the types of pedicures, I will differentiate between the two types of nail polish.
First up, you have your standard or basic nail polish. Now, this can be quite a high-quality toenail polish but it doesn’t have any special features. Due to this, it can take several minutes to dry. Naturally, this will cause your pedicure appointment to run longer.
Then, you have the gel nail polish. This is a hard gel that is applied to the nails and is cured under UV light.
Then:
How long does gel pedicure take?
Thanks to the curing feature, the gel takes just a few seconds to set. So, when you use this type of polish, your pedicure is faster. As an added bonus, this polish can last up to two weeks without chipping.
How Long Does It Take to Get Toenails Done?
Let’s start with the most basic pedicure – this is also referred to as the mini pedicure.
Here, the focus is on the nails. The nail tech will soak your hands, push or cut the cuticles, trim your nails, and shape them with a nail file. Your toes will then be placed in toe separators and the tech will apply two or more layers of long-lasting nail varnish.
On average, this type of pedicure shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes, especially if it is a gel pedicure. However, if you ask for a French pedicure, where a white strip has to be carefully drawn at the edge of the nail, then your pedicure may take longer.
How Long Does a Full Pedicure Take?
A full pedicure involves a few more steps than a basic pedicure. In this instance, the focus is not just on the toes but also the foot and the lower legs.
Here, your feet are first soaked in a foot bath or sometimes a mini jacuzzi. After this, a foot scrub is applied to your legs and foot. This will be followed be exfoliation.
Once this has been done, the technician will cut and shape your nails and then apply nail polish to them. A full pedicure can take around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the exact process.
If you are getting a gel pedicure, then you can shave off several minutes. On the other hand, getting a French pedicure can take a little longer.
How Long Does a Paraffin Wax Pedicure Take?
This is a traditional pedicure with a warm wax treatment thrown in.
In this case, your feet are first soaked, scrubbed, and exfoliated to remove dead skin. Your nails will also be trimmed and shaped.
After this, the tech will have a bowl of softened paraffin wax – this can include aromatherapy oils. Your foot is then dipped in the paraffin wax several times. Sometimes, your feet may be covered in heated towels to keep the wax warm as well.
The wax is then allowed to cool. Once this is done, then the wax is removed. After this intensive paraffin wax pedicure, you can then apply your nail polish.
The paraffin pedicure, alone takes around 30 minutes. So, when you add in the time for getting a full pedicure treatment, the entire process can take about an hour to 90 minutes.
How Long Does a Pedicure Take in a Spa?
Most of the pedicures I have described above take place in a nail salon. If you are getting a spa pedicure, it is a slightly different story.
While your local salon does offer professional pedicures, spas provide a more luxury pedicure. This will often include a foot massage, spa rituals, and perhaps even a foot mask. In some cases, there may be pedicure hot tips applied to your toenails to revitalize the nails.
The goal with spa pedicures isn’t just about making your feet look good, it also helps you feel relaxed. Therefore, you will often have various calming rituals to go through before you get your toenails painted. As you can imagine, the spa pedicure cost is higher here too.
Most pedicures at spas are between one hour and 90 minutes long. It is unlikely that it will be shorter than this as there are a lot of processes to get through.
What Can Effect the Total Time of Your Pedicure?
Well, even with a basic pedicure, you can ask for additional elements such as nail art. This takes a long time to do depending on the design chosen. With nail art, it is possible that your pedicure lasts for up to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the design.
With luxury pedicures, you can ask for a longer basic massage, a soothing wrap, and various other services. This will ensure that your pedicure will take longer.
Can You Shorten the Time Taken for Your Pedicure?
Want a full pedicure but wish it wouldn’t take so long?
In this case, it is a good idea to schedule a regular pedicure every four weeks or so. This ensures that your soles and nails are in the best condition possible.
In turn, this means that the techs have to spend less time scrubbing, exfoliating, and trimming your nails.
What Should I Expect for My First Pedicure?
The techs will start by placing your feet in a warm water bath. The water softens hard skin so that it will be easier to remove later on.
The tech will then take your feet out of the bath and wipe them with soft towels.
If you are going for a full pedicure treatment, then the tech will apply a foot scrub to your lower legs and feet. They will spend several minutes rubbing this into your skin to both soften and exfoliate.
Next, they will wash off the scrub and use a pumice stone on the soles of your feet. This removes dead skin cells that have built up into a thick layer.
Your feet may be washed again and then a lotion applied to your lower legs and feet.
The tech will then begin to work on your toenails. They may start by cutting away any dead or excess skin around the nails. They will likely push back the cuticles around the base of the nail or clip it off.
After this, they will cut or trim your nails to the desired length. They will then use a nail file to shape them into an oval or square shape. They may buff your nails to create a smooth and shiny surface.
After this is done, a base coat will be applied to the nail. This is a sticky resin-like substance that helps the polish to stick to the nail better. This will be followed up by an application of nail polish.
Once the first layer has been applied and has had time to dry, the second layer will be applied. After this has dried, then a top coat will be applied. This is a protective layer that can help your pedicure last longer.
If it is a gel pedicure, the nails will be placed under UV light for a short period.
Your appointment is then concluded!
Well, that should clear things up for you – from basic to luxury pedicure, you know exactly how long the pedicure will take. This will make it a lot easier for you to schedule your appointment to a more suitable time.