In addition to allowing your feet to soak before you do your pedicure, consider the possibility of using a foot softening treatment. You can often find such elixirs at beauty and body shops. They tend to be a little pricey, but they’re helpful when you need more tractable toenails and calluses.

Your first task during a pedicure is to remove all traces of old nail polish, if any. Separate your toes with cotton balls. Then dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover, and use a circular motion to swab each toenail clean. Be sure to wash your feet thoroughly afterward, to move any lingering traces of polish remover.

If you end up with some dark or yellowish polish residue on your toenails that doesn't respond to remover, don't despair -- you don't need a pedicure expert. Soak a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and leave it on the nail for 3-5 minutes. Usually, this will do the trick.