Pedicures are one of the best things to happen to a woman’s feet after beautiful shoes. Not only do they make your feet glow, but they also keep your nails healthy over time. The fact that your feet get queen’s treatment also helps to maintain a healthy overall lifestyle.
The thing is though, most women are wary of smearing their polish or ruining their pedicure when it’s just nicely done. Hence the question, how long should you wait after a pedicure to wear shoes?
If you did have polish put on, you should wait a minimum of 8-12 hours before putting on socks, shoes, or hosiery of any kind. The polish should feel completely dry and smooth to the touch. If it is still tacky, it will smear.
The Benefits of Waiting to Wear Shoes After a Pedicure
One of the best parts about getting a pedicure is the pretty polish that comes with it. And just like it’s important to make sure you’re not going to ruin your nails, you also have to be careful not to ruin the work of your pedicure by wearing shoes too soon after your treatment.
The biggest reason for this is that when you wear shoes on a freshly painted set of toes, you can push the polish around, causing smudges and maybe even ruining your pedicure altogether. Because it’s important to allow polish to dry completely before doing anything like walking in your shoes, it’s also important not to rush out of the salon and into those heels right away.
If you’ve ever gotten a pedicure, you know how long it can feel like those feet are going to be exposed if you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops. You might be tempted to slip into your favorite pair of flats or pumps in order to feel protected right away, but that could cause damage to both your pedicure and your footwear.
How Long Should You Wait?
The general rule is that you should wait at least 2 hours before wearing shoes after a pedicure especially if it is closed-toe shoes. However, if you are in a hurry and cannot afford to wait that long, then consider gel nails or quick-drying nail polish instead.
What Shoes to Wear to a Pedicure
One of the biggest concerns women have when going to get a pedicure is what shoes to wear.
In reality, there is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your comfort level and how you feel about the style of the pedicure salon. The salon will usually have sandals for you to wear during your pedicure, but if you would rather bring your own pair of shoes, here are a few tips to consider:
1. Flip flops
Flip flops are always the most comfortable option, but they may not be the most appropriate choice at a high-end salon.
2. Spa flops
Spa Flops are also a great alternative because they are very comfortable and will keep your feet from touching the footrest.
3. Triple heel flip flops
Triple heel flip flops provide extra support and comfort and can be found at any drugstore for $5-$10 dollars.
4. Pee toe flip flops
Pee toe flip flops are also a great option because they do not have a front part that can touch the water in the Pedi tub.
5. Pedi wraps
Pedi Wraps are another great option, but be sure to ask the technician if she has any issues with them, as some salons do not allow them due to sanitary reasons.
What Shoes Should You Wear After a Pedicure?
Bring flip-flops or other open-toed shoes to the salon that you will wear after your pedicure since nail polish needs about two hours to be fully set.
A pedicurist’s hard work goes down the drain when you ruin your polish the moment you try to step back into your shoes. Don’t run the risk of smudging your fresh paint job by trying to shove your feet in a sneaker or close-toed shoe.
Nail techs are usually more than willing to give your dented polish a quick fix, but wearing open shoes could prevent a disaster from happening in the first place.
How to Protect Pedicure in Closed-Toe Shoes
The simplest solution and the perfect protective barrier are socks. This is a great pedicure-saving habit to form, so always grab a pair and wear them. Your feet will feel comfortable and they will protect your nail polish. To prevent soiling, avoid wearing closed-toed shoes as much as possible for 10 to 12 hours after a pedicure.
Proper Way to Care For Your Feet After a Pedicure
When you’re getting a pedicure, it seems like the best way to care for your feet is to just go home and kick back. But there’s actually a lot to be done in a week or so following your treatment. If you don’t follow this regimen, your pedicured feet could end up dry, cracked, and peeling not to mention the fact that they’ll look pretty terrible.
1. Keep your nails short
Long nails can trap moisture under them and prevent them from evaporating—and because moisture is one of the main causes of peeling nails, keeping them short can help keep the skin on your feet hydrated longer.
2. Keep your hands and feet out of the water as much as possible
The act of water entering the nail bed at all times will only contribute to the loosening of cuticles and an overall drying effect on both skin and nails.
3. Wear socks whenever you can
So as not to grind against rough surfaces (like concrete or carpet) with your heels. – Moisturize right away. Applying a thin layer of moisturizer right after you get out of the pedicure chair will help lock in the moisture that the treatment needs.
How long does it take for a pedicure to dry?
Depending on the technique involved, a pedicure usually lasts 30 to 90 minutes. On average, it takes about an hour for pedicurists, experts, and professionals to complete a pedicure. However, this can range and so a more accurate allowance is between the 45-90 minute range for standard treatment.
How long after a pedicure can I work out?
In general, I would recommend waiting at least 24 hours after any type of pedicure before exercising. That way gives your nails plenty of time to dry and your skin time to recover from any kind of exfoliation or other treatments that could leave it vulnerable.
How long after a pedicure can I wear socks?
To prevent soiling, avoid wearing socks as much as possible for 8 to 12 hours after a pedicure. If you’re doing your toes at home and know you’ll be going somewhere soon after, take a cue from the salon: slip-on open-toed sandals before you paint (using toe separators also helps).
Do you have to wear flip-flops after a pedicure?
Yes, it is advisable to wear flip-flops after a pedicure. Bring flip-flops or other open-toed shoes that you'll wear after your pedicure since nail polish takes about two hours to completely set.
Can I put on shoes after a pedicure?
No, you cannot put on shoes after a pedicure. The amount of time that needs to pass before putting on shoes after a pedicure will depend on several factors, including the type of nail polish used, the type of shoes, and the drying method used in the salon.
How long for nail polish to dry on toes?
It takes about 2 hours for nail polish to properly dry on the toes. However, using quick drying nail polish or uv cured nail polish makes the drying time less.
Conclusion
In general, it can be inferred that pedicure refers to the care of the feet, and is popular all over the world. Pedicure is mainly popular among women, and it usually takes about an hour to complete the whole process.
On average, you should rest for at least 24 hours after completing a pedicure. It is important to provide enough rest time for the legs so that they can function properly. The pedicure must be done gently and carefully. It’s best if done by a professional nail technician.
Read also: Do nails grow faster in water?