What is a Medical Pedicure?

Pedicures can be a fun way to enjoy an afternoon with your best friends or spouse. You just sit back and let someone else soak, wash, scrub, and paint your feet as you sip a cocktail or read a magazine. While a pedicure at a salon or spa can be relaxing and fun, your feet are simply being pampered, not treated. If you want feet that glow and are healthy, you should consider a medical pedicure the next time you want to treat your feet.

What Is a Medical Pedicure?

A medical pedicure is typically performed in a sterile doctor’s office instead of a lush spa or salon because they are not there to pamper and spoil your feet. A medical pedicure is designed to treat your specific foot issues with a customized treatment plan. It’s performed by a professional trained in spotting the difference between a blister and a callous or psoriasis. The medical professional may use tools such as hand drills, hydrating oils, and files to treat the various issues of your feet.

A medical pedicure also does not end in a fresh coat of paint on your toes because lacquer can dry out the nail beds, leading to brittleness and discoloration. Instead of a bright pink or red glow of nail polish, your toes themselves will glow with brilliance after a medical pedicure.

What Are the Benefits of a Medical Pedicure?

Having healthy, glowing feet is a definite benefit of getting a medical pedicure, but there are also other benefits, including:

• More hygienic. Spas and salons are often volume-based to make a profit, which leads to less attention to detail during the sanitation process for instruments and foot baths. The jet tubes in the jetted foot tubs used at salons and spas are great for bacteria to hide and later infect the next client. Medical pedicures use jet-less foot baths and sterilized surgical instruments that are single-use and tossed in the trash after your procedure.
• Specialized attention. A medical pedicure is customized to fit your particular foot needs. A specialty-trained nail technician often performs it under a doctor’s supervision. The technician and medical doctor are trained to recognize the most common foot issues and treat them using specifically designed tools. You may experience a nail border evacuation, glycolic peel, diamond filing, callus buffing and removal, Himalayan salt soak, and foot/leg massage, all supervised by a doctor.
• Still pampering. A medical pedicure still feels like your feet are being pampered, even if the atmosphere feels different.
• Better-looking feet. Getting a medical pedicure leaves your feet looking better overall, thanks to the customized treatment of your feet and any issues you may experience.

What to Expect at a Medical Pedicure

A medical pedicure begins with a thorough examination of your feet. This examination helps the doctor pinpoint any foot conditions that need to be addressed, such as warts, callouses, or fungal infections. The doctor may also ask about any underlying foot conditions or if you’re experiencing anything abnormal with your feet. You will soak your feet in a jet-less foot bath to soften the skin and prepare for cleaning. The technician will use alcohol to clean every inch of your foot carefully, to not only clean but also sterilize your feet.

Once your feet are thoroughly cleaned, the technician will use a rounded tool to cut each toenail straight across. This measure helps reduce jagged edges as well as the possibility of ingrown toenails. This part is a simple nail trimming technique, but it’s designed to promote the health of your toenails and foot. Next, the technician will clean underneath your nails. This cleaning eliminates any onychophosis, or build-up of skin, in the nail folds and cuticles. The technician will finish off the trimming portion by carefully filing your nails to ensure all the edges are smooth and even.

The clinician will now move on to the customized plan to treat your feet and any issues you’re experiencing. All of the dead skin cells on your feet will be removed during a granular exfoliation process. Calluses will be removed with a scalpel or a hand drill. If you’re experiencing corns or warts, the technician will also treat them. If athlete’s foot is present, it will also be addressed.

Once your clinician has finished the treatment portion of your medical pedicure, cream or lotion will be used to moisturize your feet and lower legs. This cream or lotion is often massaged into the skin, leaving you with a relaxing massage to end your session.

Who Should Get a Medical Pedicure?

Anyone can and should get a medical pedicure. Some doctors recommend once a month, while others recommend once or twice a year. At least once a year allows your feet and any issues you’re experiencing to be monitored and treated on a regular basis. A medical pedicure is highly recommended for diabetics, the elderly, and people who can’t risk their overall health for a toenail or foot problem. Anyone with poor circulation in their feet should only ever get a medical pedicure, as a traditional one could be dangerous to their delicate feet.

Visit Gurnee Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates for a Medical Pedicure

Gurnee Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates offers medical pedicures for women, children, and men. Keeping your skin and nails happy is key to keeping you on your feet. Dr. Schoene and a licensed pedicurist will ensure that your medical pedicure is tailored to fit your needs. They use Keryflex nail restoration to manage damaged, fungal, or thickened toenails.

The trained professionals at Gurnee Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates can treat blisters, calluses, corns, plantar’s warts, athlete’s foot, fungal nails, and ingrown toenails via medical pedicures. When you’re ready to truly pamper your feet by treating their health and hygiene, reach out to make an appointment today. We can be reached at 847-263-6073 or via our secure online messaging system. A team member will be happy to answer any questions or set you up with an appointment for a medical pedicure or any of our other services.