Foot Care Guide: Pedicure, Cracked Heels and Toenail Health

Short answer: good foot care comes down to three things: washing and drying well, moisturising regularly and cutting toenails correctly. Cracked heels are mostly caused by dryness and pressure, and improve noticeably with an evening moisturiser and gentle weekly filing. Toenails should be cut straight across without digging into the corners. For most people a professional pedicure every 3–4 weeks keeps hard skin under control and nails in good shape.

Daily Foot Care at Home

1. Wash and dry thoroughly: keeping between the toes dry reduces odour and fungal risk.
2. Moisturise every evening: use a rich foot cream on heels and soles, but not between the toes.
3. Cotton socks and breathable shoes: rotate shoes so they dry out.
4. The right size: narrow, tight shoes press on nails and toe joints.
5. Sunscreen in summer: the tops of your feet burn in sandals too.

Why Heels Crack and How to Fix Them

Heel skin is thick and takes constant pressure when you walk. As it dries it loses elasticity and splits at the edges. Backless slippers and sandals, standing for long periods, hot water and dry air make it worse.

• Evening routine: soak feet in lukewarm water for a few minutes, dry, apply a rich cream and wear cotton socks.
• Gentle filing once a week: on dry feet, light strokes with a fine foot file are enough. Never cut hard skin with a razor or blade.
• Patience: deep cracks close after a few weeks of regular care.

Don't treat bleeding, painful or inflamed cracks at home, especially if you have diabetes; see a doctor.

How to Cut Toenails

Cutting deep into the corners is the most common mistake that sets the scene for a nail growing into the skin.

What a Professional Pedicure Includes

Our pedicure covers cutting and shaping toenails, cuticle care, gradually thinning hard skin on heels and soles, and moisturising. It's done with sterilised tools, freshly prepared water for each client and single-use files.

1. Assessment of nails, heels and any old polish.
2. Foot soak to soften.
3. Cutting and shaping.
4. Cuticle care.
5. Heel and hard skin care.
6. Moisturising, plus polish or gel pedicure if you like.

How Often?

Every 3–4 weeks suits most people. If you walk a lot, your feet sweat or your heels harden quickly, the interval can be shorter. In sandal season a regular pedicure makes a real difference to both looks and comfort.

Toenail Health and Gel Polish

Gel polish usually lasts longer on toenails than fingernails because toenails grow more slowly. Proper removal still matters, as scraping thins the nail. See how to remove gel polish and why do nails break.

When to See a Doctor

Ingrown toenails, suspected nail fungus (discolouration, thickening, crumbling), painful or inflamed areas, deep corns and warts need medical assessment and treatment and are not treated at our salon. If you have diabetes, circulation problems or reduced sensation in your feet, please check with your doctor before a pedicure and let us know when booking.

Want hands and feet done together? Book a manicure and pedicure on the same day. All options are on our nail care page.

This content is for general information and is not medical advice. See your doctor for foot health concerns.