History of pedicure

In past articles, we have already learned about how long ago manicure appeared, and in what ways ancient people removed body hair. It's time to pay due attention and care for your feet. Our topic is the history of pedicure.

The term "pedicure" comes from the Latin words pedis, meaning "feet" and curare, meaning "to take care of".

It's hard to believe, but pedicures have been used as a treatment and decoration for the feet for thousands of years. Along with the cosmetic and therapeutic appeal of this centuries-old procedure, the health benefits of a pedicure have been recognized since ancient times, including the prevention of nail diseases.

Ancient pedicure

It is believed that the practice of foot care originated in ancient Egypt, in the royal palaces of the pharaohs, who were known to take special care of their legs and feet. On the carving of a bas-relief dating back to 2400 BC. at the entrance to the tomb of the Egyptian physician Ankhmahor, noble men and women are depicted undergoing cosmetic procedures reminiscent of modern pedicures and manicures.

The nature and type of foot care reflected the social position of a person in an ancient civilization. A rejuvenating and beautifying pedicure, accompanied by the use of aromatic oils, herbal tinctures and adornments, was reserved for the nobility, while the lower classes could only afford to treat calluses with skin scrapers. I wonder if in those days people were not worried about such phenomena as ingrown toenail, for example? :)

But Ancient Egypt was not the only early civilization to boast of its advanced body care practices. Nobles in Ancient Babylon used luxurious solid gold tools that were created specifically for manicures and pedicures.

In 425 BC in ancient Greece, the first improved skin scrapers appeared, which made it possible to remove corns and calluses with high quality. People fell in love with the technology so much that for many centuries the field of pedicure remained unchanged.

Eventually, the use of more sophisticated and refined scalpels and scrapers, combined with pumice stone, became common during pedicures done during the medieval era in Europe. In the 1400s, medieval healers obsessed with magic offered people ointments and pastes designed to moisturize the skin on their feet, which were created using a very diverse set of ingredients: from pig dung, to willow bark ash, to calf gastric juice.

By the early 1800s, in many Western European countries, pedicures were considered a medical procedure, and Europeans were of the opinion that regular foot care was necessary for overall health and well-being. And only by the end of the century, pedicure was first recognized as a cosmetic procedure, thanks to its growing popularity among ladies of high society, among whom it was considered prestigious to receive pedicure services at home.

Even though the practice of foot care has evolved since ancient times, the tools and techniques used to this day in many parts of the world have remained unchanged for the past 100 years. For example, in South Asian countries, pedicure tends to be a family business, and skills and knowledge of the products are passed down from generation to generation, leaving little room for change or innovation.

Many of us can no longer imagine our lives without pedicure, all these amazing coatings and designs. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine that just some 70 years ago, pedicure was used exclusively to solve specific problems related to the health of the lower extremities that require professional attention.

Perhaps one of the most significant changes in the beauty industry was the introduction of the color film system in 1922. A dazzling array of hues has replaced dull grey, and beauty trends (including pedicures) have skyrocketed, as has the popularity of the stars who showcased them on screen.

After the end of World War II, Revlon was one of the first cosmetic companies to manufacture tools specifically for pedicures. The booming television industry has become the perfect medium for Revlon's cutting-edge creative advertising to reflect the appeal of their products, and pedicures have become synonymous with the glamorous celebrity lifestyle. The desire to imitate on-screen beauties, such as, for example, Marilyn Monroe, brought pedicures and manicures into the spotlight.

Modern pedicure

Over the past 10 years, thanks to our fast-paced, high-stress lifestyles, foot care needs have changed dramatically. Sedentary work, poor nutrition and a rapidly aging population are among the main sources of modern foot problems.

However, the beauty industry also does not stand still, offering more and more new foot care options that can make our lives easier. And the Pilochka service is one of them. :) Our highly qualified masters will take care of the beauty of your feet by providing high-quality pedicure with home visits.

Now that you know when and how the pedicure has evolved, it's time to move from theory to practice and make an appointment with your pedicurist. :) Be healthy and beautiful!