Dry pedicure: European and hardware options

Many choose for a dry pedicure if they want to maintain healthy, smooth feet without soaking them in water. Many people find this method appealing because it is more hygienic and gentler on the skin.

European and hardware are the two primary varieties of dry manicures. Each has advantages of its own and meets various needs. The hardware option uses specialized tools to achieve professional results, while the European dry pedicure concentrates on using a combination of creams, files, and gentle techniques.

Knowing the differences between these two pedicure techniques can help you choose the one that’s best for your foot care regimen, whether you’re looking to try something new or are just curious about how they work.

Contents

What is a dry pedicure: types and features
Preparing your feet for a dry pedicure
Dry European pedicure

Dry hardware pedicure
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What is a dry pedicure: types and features

The dry pedicure differs from other options in that there is no water used during the procedure. Due to its softer effect on leg skin, lack of need for cutting tools during processing, and low risk of foot fungal infection, it is quickly becoming more and more popular.

Dry pedicures come in two varieties: European and hardware.

European is also called unedged. It is recommended for thin dry skin and well-groomed feet to maintain an aesthetic appearance. This procedure is also suitable for children. European unedged pedicure is not suitable as a starting or resuscitation option. It is more gentle than classic and hardware. It is based on the effect of softening agents and grinding files and polishers on the skin of the feet and cuticles.

Hardware dry pedicure is indicated for problematic and diabetic feet, for the prevention of fungal diseases. It will cope with old calluses, corns, cracks, will allow you to carefully process hard-to-reach places between the toes to an ideal state. For execution, a milling machine with special attachments of different shapes and abrasiveness is used.

You can perform the first and second options at home or in a salon. In order to execute a hardware pedicure at home, a milling cutter with a minimum speed of 25,000 rpm and a power of 60 W is required. Salons use dust extraction hoods and powerful machines that can operate at 30,000 rpm for up to 30 minutes, handling a high volume of client traffic. Find out more about selecting a manicure and pedicure milling machine.

Preparing your feet for a dry pedicure

The masters treat the feet and nails more thoroughly with disinfectants because there isn’t a stage where the skin is soaked in water.

These could be disinfectants or antiseptics with a broader spectrum of applications. They have unique ingredients in them to prevent the skin from drying out. After applying the product, the skin is rubbed until it dries completely.

The master treats his own hands before donning gloves and tending to the client’s feet. Even though there are no cutting tools used in the process and it is done dry, all supplies need to be sterile or disposable. Reusable files and hardware cutters should be sterilized and stored in craft bags or sterile boxes. Disposable materials like cardboard files, orange sticks, and polishers are thrown away after the pedicure.

Dry European pedicure

To complete, you’ll need foot graters with grits ranging from 80 to 320, an orange stick or pusher, a cuticle and nail file, and a cuticle softener. The surface is softer the higher the number. During the process, the cuticle is softened with a remover and pushed back, but it is not entirely removed. Then, by grinding, partially removed.

With extremely rough feet, overgrown cuticles, and lateral ridges, a pedicure might not work the first time. To reach the ideal state, five to ten procedures are required. For this reason, it is advised that the master begin with a dry hardware pedicure or trimmed pedicure, and then maintain the outcome with an unedged European pedicure.

Phases of operation:

Disinfectant is applied to the feet and toes and distributed observing the exposure time;
Remove old varnish with a special liquid;
Nails are shaped and given the required length with a nail file;

A remover/skin softener is applied to the cuticle and feet;
After 10 minutes, the cuticle is pushed back with an orange stick or pusher;
Feet are treated dry with a nail file, pumice stone, grater or sharp spatula: calluses, corns, shallow cracks are removed. First, a surface with a coarse coating is used, then with a fine coating, and a polisher at the final stage;

A cuticle file is used to remove skin from the side ridges and at the base of the nails. If there are hangnails, it is better to additionally use manicure nippers;
Feet are again treated with a disinfectant or a napkin to remove dust;
A moisturizer is applied to the feet, and a nourishing and moisturizing oil is applied to the cuticle. At this stage, a light massage is recommended to improve blood circulation;

Nails are covered with varnish or gel polish as desired.

Advantages:

Safe, minimal risk of infection and fungal infection;

Painless;
Fast, the procedure takes 30-40 minutes;
With repeated use, it leads to thinning of the cuticle, which extends the service life by two times;

The result lasts from 2 to 4 weeks;
Can be done independently at home;
Suitable for children;

Economical when performed in a salon;
Can be considered as a relaxing salon procedure.

Cons:

Effective only as a maintenance procedure, not suitable for unkempt feet;
To achieve maximum results, at least 3-5 procedures are required;
Needs to be done more often than edged or hardware dry pedicure;

Insufficient hydration, excessive drying out with a disinfectant composition, which requires additional hydration and nutrition of the skin after the procedure.

The benefits of dry pedicures vary between European and hardware methods, but overall they offer a gentle and modern alternative to traditional foot care. The hardware approach uses cutting-edge devices to more effectively remove calluses and smooth skin, while the European option concentrates on using high-quality, non-invasive tools to maintain foot health. For people looking for a precise, hygienic pedicure without the use of harsh chemicals or water, these techniques are perfect.

Dry hardware pedicure

The process is essential for:

problematic dry, cracked skin;
past fungal diseases;
neglected feet with deep cracks, corns and calluses.

With a wide range of attachments, you can efficiently work on challenging areas and cut ingrown and overgrown nails. It is possible to drill out calluses and even very deep cracks with certain attachments.

Rotating attachments with varying levels of abrasiveness are used to treat feet. Initially, use coarse particles, followed by fine ones, and finally, grinders. Instead of cutting the cuticle, a diamond attachment is used to remove it.

Depending on how complex the foot treatment is, the process could take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. The outcome is going to last for a month. In cases of complex foot conditions, up to three procedures every three weeks might be necessary to restore your feet to optimal health.

Phases of operation:

Treatment of feet and fingers with a disinfectant until completely dry;
Treatment of feet with a keratolytic until completely dry;
Shaping the nail plate with a cylindrical cutter with diamond coating;

Treatment of the lateral ridges and cuticle with cone, needle and ball attachments;
Removal of the cuticle with a ball;
Removal of calluses, corns, keratinized layer from the feet with grinding attachments with emery crumbs;

Treatment of cracks with attachments is carried out parallel to the crack, as if opening it, and then filing down the edges. After treatment, a healing ointment is applied;
Grinding the foot with polishing attachments until shiny;
Application of a nourishing cream or lotion;

Varnish application at will.

Advantages:

Safety, hygiene

Therapeutic effect, indications for problem feet and skin conditions
Ability to treat hard-to-reach areas between the toes and at the cuticle
Ability to completely remove corns, calluses, ingrown nails from the first procedure

Long-lasting effect 3-4 weeks

Cons:

Risk of sawing the nail plate with an inexperienced master

With very hard, growing cuticles, additional processing with tweezers or scissors will be required
It is important to find an experienced specialist who is fluent in the technology of working with a milling cutter
Not suitable for owners of a very thin nail plate

The cost in the salon is more expensive than a regular trim or European pedicure.

In addition to hardware techniques for dry pedicures, smart pedicures involve using specific abrasive discs to work on feet. The Smart company is the one who invented this method. Additionally, it generates all the consumables and tools required for the process, such as polishing sponges, interchangeable files, and discs.

All of the manipulations done here are done on dry, unsteamed skin, just like in hardware manicures, but the technology is different; we went into more detail about it in a separate NAILS magazine article.

In summary, dry hardware and European pedicures have advantages and can be viewed as complimentary procedures. Starting with a hardware pedicure, Europeans view it as a calming and supporting treatment.

Which dry manicure version—hardware or European—has the most benefits for you? Please ask any more questions in the comments section.

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2 comments on “Dry pedicure: European and hardware options”

AnnaEditorial staff

Hi there, Anna! You are correct, wearing gloves is required. We appreciate your feedback and will address it.

Aspect	European Dry Pedicure	Hardware Dry Pedicure
Method	Uses a cuticle remover and gentle filing	Uses a specialized machine with rotating bits
Tools	Cuticle remover, file, buffer	Electric file, various bits
Time	Usually quicker, around 30 minutes	Can take up to an hour
Comfort	Gentle on the skin	May feel intense for sensitive areas
Results	Smooth and polished nails	More thorough and long-lasting

Dry pedicures are a gentle and efficient way to take care of your feet, and the advantages of both European and hardware options are distinct. These techniques can be a great option if you want to keep your nails healthy or take care of certain foot problems.

Hardware pedicures use electric devices for more accurate and effective care, while European dry pedicures emphasize a manual technique using specialized tools to shape and smooth the nails. By not soaking the feet, both methods lessen the chance of infection and maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance.

It is up to you to decide what kind of dry manicure best suits your needs and tastes. You will discover that both the cutting-edge hardware technique and the classic European style can leave your feet feeling and looking their best.