Gone are the regular pedicures of summer months that keep you constantly sandal-ready. But just because your feet are currently cocooned inside a warm pair of woolly tights doesn’t mean that it’s alright to neglect your toes. 

Why bother keeping your feet a priority all year ‘round?

Winter pedicures keep toes in tip-top shape.
April showers bring May flowers, which means sooner than later you're going to be trading those rain boots for your favorite pair of sandals.

But until then, winter boots and heavy socks can be quite compressing on feet—and toenails that are left to grow wild can become ingrown from the pressure of shoes. 

Regular pedicures ensure that toenails are kept neatly trimmed in a straight line across the edge of the toe, with corners rounded off to stop them growing inwards.

You could be missing some important signs.
Are you guilty of layering on new polish to the point where removal requires a chisel come spring? Allowing your nail beds to hibernate like a sleeping bear doesn’t just make your nail technician’s job more difficult, it can hide potentially nasty infections or fungus.

And, there are other ways in which winter pedicures are good for your foot health that don’t involve hangnail scares. 

Feet are an especially difficult area to soften up since the heels tend to harden drastically with all your everyday activities. This can mean soles plagued by stubborn causes, dryness and cracking if left without proper care. Exfoliation helps control and prevents the growth of calluses and corns, which not only look unattractive but can cause discomfort. 

Additionally, that delicious pre-polish massage loosens your muscles and helps with joint performance—often adversely affected in cold weather. The massage also helps with circulation of the foot and lower leg. Plus, allowing a professional access to the important pressure points located on the sole of your foot provides much-needed relaxation.

It’s the perfect time to experiment with new nail polish combos.
Longtime winter staples such as bright red, burgundy, or bordeaux can feel more overplayed than a Christmas carol by the time January rolls around. 

However, that doesn’t mean your toes need to be boring. Instead, take advantage of winter’s weather-appropriate footwear to try out some yet untested shades and designs. 

Need inspiration? New York’s Paintbox manicure salon has a constant supply of fresh ideas to tickle your fancy and delight your toes. 

Not only are there innumerable benefits to keeping up your pedicures through winter, you never know when a peep-toed evening out might present itself! Not to mention a last-minute long-weekend escape to sunnier shores.