Carlene Nelson of Waynesboro, Ga., hits the salon when she needs a foot makeover.

''At home I just sit on the bathroom floor and barely get them polished,'' she said.

Mrs. Nelson gets a pedicure every couple of months, but she said it's not nearly often enough.

''This just feels so good. I'm so relaxed, I just love it.''

Amy Tapley is a nail technician at Southern Accents Day Spa in Martinez. To keep feet in top condition, she recommends pedicures about every three weeks.

''No more than four,'' Mrs. Tapley said. ''Sometimes you can't really see that you need one.''

Whether you splurge for professional pampering or prefer the do-it-yourself process, Mrs. Tapley offers the following tips for perfect little piggies:

Tips for pretty feet Don't use old, worn out clippers. If they don't have a sharp blade, they will tear the nails and leave ragged edges. When using clippers, always cut, never pull. Apply cream nightly to keep feet soft and prevent dry cuticles. Keep polish fresh-looking with a clear topcoat every few days. Dark-colored polishes cover imperfections. The more transparent the polish, the better shape your nails should be in before you apply it. Be sure the salon you visit is clean and has licensed technicians. Do not have a technician scrape your feet. It is against the law to use razors or blades. Scraping too deep can cause serious infection. Always cut straight across the nail. Never dig into sides of nail beds. This can cause fungal or bacterial infections. If you are using nail polish to disguise thick or discolored toenails, you are likely to make the problem worse. Polish does not allow the nail to breathe. If nails are thick or discolored, consult a physician. Sources: American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists

Start with a good soak. A five-minute soak in warm, soapy water will soften the cuticles and the dead skin. The Foot Health Council recommends adding some Epsom salts as a natural disinfectant, or lavender oil for a relaxing scent.

Next, rub a little cuticle softener on each toe. Cuticle softeners are designed to penetrate the skin, Mrs. Tapley said. Multipurpose household lotions and oils won't give the same result, she said.

Brush dead skin off the nail and gently push the cuticle back with an orange stick, a wooden stick specifically designed for cuticles. Be cautious with metal tools, they can damage the nail bed.

''And be careful with the cuticle,'' Mrs. Tapley said. ''The cuticle is the living part of the skin. It's a natural barrier between the nail and skin.''

Trimming toenails can be tricky, but Mrs. Tapley said to follow the shape of your toes.

''I would say cut them even with the edge of the toe,'' she said. ''I square them and round the corners.''

Always cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. Then smooth the edges and corners with a nail file, moving in one direction to prevent splitting and peeling. If you choose, gently round the corners with the file.

Next, Mrs. Tapley uses a foot file to exfoliate the feet, sloughing off dead skin from the heel, the ball of the foot and wherever dead skin may accumulate.

Because she cannot sanitize a pumice stone, Mrs. Tapley sticks to the foot file, which is like a huge emery board. But she said a pumice stone is fine for home pedicures, where you are the only one using it.

One tool she strongly advises against using is the credo blade. This tool, found in stores, uses a razor blade to scrape callouses from feet. The Georgia board of cosmetology has outlawed its use by professional pedicurists, and it shouldn't be used at home.

''All it does is make the callous tougher,'' Mrs. Tapley said.

The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that razors or callous blades can cause serious infections. After the dead skin is safely removed, Mrs. Tapley applies a masque to the feet. It has eucalyptus, tea tree oil and menthol to moisturize the skin.

''It has a real cool, tingly feeling,'' Mrs. Nelson said as her feet were being slathered with green goop.

At home, massage a thick, rich cream or even petroleum jelly into your feet. Wrap feet in a towel or put on cotton socks and let them soak in the moisture.

A thorough massage feels great and will increase circulation.

Before moving to the polishing step, be sure all the moisturizer is washed off the nails so that the polish will stick.

Start with a base coat to keep polish from turning nails yellow.

This year, bright colors, such as hot pinks, corals and reds, are popular. Mrs. Tapley said she also gets frequent requests for French manicures on the toes.

For those with less than steady hands, a foam toe separator helps keep toes in place during polishing.

Two coats of color and a clear top coat should keep a pedicure chip-free for several days. A new coat of clear every couple of days should prolong pedicure life.

Even when using a quick-dry top coat, Mrs. Tapley said, you should wait at least an hour before putting on socks or shoes.

''The surface will dry in about 15 minutes,'' she said.