Despite how popular pedicures are, the beauty treatment is still shrouded in misconceptions, with perhaps the most popular one being that pedicures are only done to enhance the appearance of your toenails.
While your nails will definitely look amazing after a pedicure session, that isn’t the only benefit that you can reap, as pedicures also look after the overall health and well-being of your nails and feet. There are actually pedicure services that focus on this specifically, such as the medical pedicure.
What is a Medical Pedicure?
A medical pedicure is a sterile, clinical, and waterless pedicure treatment that prioritizes the health and hygiene of your feet over aesthetics. This service is exclusively offered by podiatric specialists and experts and typically involves foot exfoliation and nail care.
Medical pedicures are particularly beneficial for individuals who are on their feet all day or suffer from health conditions that affect their feet, such as diabetes. Each session is tailored to the specific needs of the client, ensuring comprehensive care and attention.
Who Should Get a Medical Pedicure?
Medical pedicures can be enjoyed by everyone who wants to improve their overall foot health, such as those with active daily lives that take a toll on the feet. This treatment is also especially recommended for those suffering from autoimmune diseases, diabetes, compromised immune systems, and other conditions that may compromise your foot health.
What’s the Difference Between a Regular Pedicure and a Medical Pedicure?
While regular pedicures are often done by nail technicians in beauty salons, medical pedicures require the supervision of a medical doctor or specialist and are done in sterilized and sanitary environments. This is due to the medical pedicure's focus on restoring the health of the customer's feet. Although appearance is given some attention during medical pedicures, the primary emphasis is on health and hygiene.
What are the Benefits of Medical Pedicures?
There are some medical pedicure benefits that you can look forward to when you book an appointment:
- Infection Prevention: Not only do medical pedicures focus specifically on the hygiene of your feet to prevent future infections, but you can also rest assured that you won’t acquire any infections during the medical pedicure itself. Medical pedicures are done in a clean environment, and any tools that will be used on your feet will have been sterilized with the same techniques that healthcare providers use.
- Technical and Medical Expertise: Medical pedicures are done by podiatrists and medical nail technicians, so you can be confident that you’re getting the best foot treatment possible. These experts have years of experience and knowledge under their belts to ensure that your foot and nail conditions are being correctly assessed and treated. They will also likely have more sophisticated tools and equipment that nail salons may not have access to.
- Safer Practices: When you get a medical pedicure, there’s much less risk that questionable practices will be used on your feet and nails, as podiatrists and medical nail technicians are well aware of the dangers and consequences that may arise from them. Some dubious techniques include excessive trimming of the cuticles, aggressive removal of calluses, and improper trimming of toenails.
- Personalized Treatments: Medical pedicures are customized and personalized to address your specific foot concerns, which isn’t the case with normal pedicures. Your feet are assessed at the start of the treatment to figure out the best course of action for your foot health, which is what makes medical pedicures so great in treating conditions like athlete’s foot, bunions, cracked heels, and more.
- Prevention of Future Issues: Because medical pedicures are geared towards the health and hygiene of your feet, they can be a great way to avoid future foot issues and conditions, such as fungal infections and ingrown nails. Aside from that, medical pedicures can also be a great way to mitigate any pain and discomfort that you may be feeling on your feet.
- Eliminates Foot Odor: Medical pedicures can also help lessen or eliminate any foot odors that you may have. Aside from thorough cleaning, medical pedicures also involve deep exfoliation, which can remove any accumulation of odor-causing dead skin cells from your feet.
What Happens During a Medical Pedicure?
As mentioned above, medical pedicures can vary greatly depending on the condition of your feet, but here are some common steps that you can expect:
- Every medical pedicure session starts with a thorough examination of your feet to identify any issues that you may have.
- Your feet will be exfoliated, and any calluses, corns, and rough patches will be addressed and removed.
- Your nails will be cleaned, trimmed, and shaped, and any nail disorders you may have will be attended to.
- If your podiatrist and medical nail technician have found any foot conditions, such as fungal infections or ingrown nails, they will be treated.
- At the end of your medical pedicure, you will be given recommendations to maintain the health of your feet and toenails.
How Long Does a Medical Pedicure Last?
A medical pedicure lasts around 45 minutes to an hour, just like other more traditional pedicure treatments.
How Often Should You Get a Medical Pedicure?
You should get a medical pedicure either monthly or every six to eight weeks, especially as visible results will only arise after consistent appointments. The good thing about medical pedicures is that they’re non-invasive and have no downtime, making them much easier to stick to.
The Takeaway
Aside from improving the appearance of your feet, pedicures also look after their health and comfort. The medical pedicure is a great example of this. By shifting the focus more towards the well-being and cleanliness of your feet, medical pedicures deliver tailored results that will leave your feet and nails healthier, more comfortable, and looking their best.
