Fancy feet: Benefits of a Medical Pedicure

5 Sept

With winter again behind us and the sweet smell of spring in the air, our feet begin to feel the call out of hibernation towards something a little strappy. Cue sweet slides, sexy-looking sandals and practical slip-on Birkenstocks.

After being hidden away for months, your feet most likely need some TLC. No one wants to feel like they have reptilian feet when the warmer weather asks for no enclosed shoes. The beginning of spring signifies the need for a medical pedicure to take centre stage in your skincare routine. In this blog post, we’re exploring how you can bring new life back into your tootsies with a medi pedi, so you can dance your way into the warmer summer weather.

What is a medical pedicure, and what are the benefits?

A medical pedicure, also known as a "medi pedi," is a type of pedicure performed by a licensed professional. Medical pedicures often treat conditions such as calluses, ingrown nails, and fungal infections. However, they can also simply be a way to relax and pamper your feet. The former is usually performed at a doctor or podiatrist clinic as these procedures require specific medical knowledge and don’t usually involve pampering.

Here at Skin From Within, our medical pedicures are as equally about pampering your feet, and returning them to looking and feeling great, thanks to the best medical pedicure protocol – the DMK MediPedi®.

A DMK MediPedi® typically involves cleansing your feet in with a medicinal solution and exfoliating the dead skin cells away, to improve your feet's appearance and leaving them looking softer and smoother. We use no scalpels or sharps during the procedure, and we promise that we won’t tickle but massage your feet and calves to help increase blood circulation and reduce stress.

Medi pedi’s provide many therapeutic benefits and improves the overall health of the feet – preventing nail problems, reducing pain and swelling, and increasing mobility. A medical pedicure can also greatly benefit those who have diabetes or other medical conditions that make it difficult to care for their feet.

How to prepare for your medical pedicure.

Firstly, don’t be scared that we’ll be frightened by your feet – we have seen it all. Even if your feet appear more reptilian than human, our job is to find a treatment plan that is best for you and have you walking feeling confident out of our clinic. If there is anything overly concerning, for example, if you have experienced an infection or toenail issues, then we may suggest seeing your doctor before having this treatment so as not to aggravate or cause any problems. Otherwise, you just come as you are, prepared and ready for a total foot transformation.

What to expect during your medical pedicure.

When you arrive for your appointment, you will be asked to remove your shoes and socks so that the therapist can take a look at your feet. After assessing your needs,

we'll start by giving your feet a warm cleanse. This will help to soften your skin and nails, making them more receptive to treatment.

Next, we'll apply our unique alkaline solution to soften, aswell and dissolve the excess build up on your feet.. This step is important to remove any dead skin cells that could potentially cause problems later on.

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for – the foot massage! We’ll massage your feet and lower legs with our soothing lotion to help them relax. This will help to improve circulation and reduce the appearance of that reptilian-like skin we can all get during the winter months.

Once the massage is complete, the therapist will trim and file your nails, apply your choice of polish and a protective coat to make it last.

Before applying your polish, for ultimate toenail glam, you can choose to upgrade your treatment by adding on a paraffin treatment. A paraffin wax treatment is a therapeutic treatment whereby the foot is immersed in heated paraffin wax. Sounds ouchie, but it’s not, we promise. Paraffin wax has a low melting point, therefore making it safe to apply directly to the skin without the risk of burns.

Paraffin waxes contain a unique mixture of moisturising ingredients like aloe leaf extract, mineral oil, and lanolin that are locked into your skin as the wax hardens. These ingredients help draw water into your skin and seal the moisture in, elevating your medi pedi results, leaving your feet feeling smooth as silk, as you glide out the clinic door.

The post-pedicure care you need to follow

Now that you've had the best medi pedi ever, and your feet look and feel fantastic, it's important to follow some simple post-pedicure care instructions to keep your feet looking and feeling their best throughout the spring and summer months.

Avoid soaking your feet in water for at least 24 hours after your pedicure. This will give your nails and cuticles time to set and seal.
Moisturise your feet daily, paying special attention to the area around your nails. A good foot cream will help to keep your skin soft and prevent nail breakage.
Finally, wear open-toed shoes or sandals to let your feet air out and show off your soft and smooth feet.

By following these simple steps, you can extend the life of your pedicure, and enjoy beautiful, healthy feet all summer long!

How often should you get a medical pedicure?

How frequently you get a medical pedicure depends on your lifestyle and how much “wear and tear” your feet go through. For example, if you are frequently on your feet (standing or walking for long periods), or if you wear high heels often, you may want to consider getting a treatment every 4-6 weeks to ensure calluses don’t build up (and keep them looking fantastic as you strut around!).

If you have diabetes or other medical conditions that put you at risk for foot problems, you should consult your physician to discuss how often you should get treatments.

Generally speaking, most people can benefit from getting a medical pedicure every 6-8 weeks to keep their feet looking and feeling healthy.

How much does a medi pedi cost, and where should you go to find one?

A medi pedi goes beyond your average foot scrub and gives your feet a new lease on life. Dissolving the dry, hardened and crusty skin build-up on your feet and improving your feet's visible look and feel, you can see the result from just one treatment.

A DMK MediPedi® investment at Skin From With is just $95, which includes a luxurious foot massage, nail tidy and polish colour of your choice. If you want all the added benefits of a paraffin wax treatment, you can upgrade your treatment for just $30 extra. Want to maximise your treatment time? In many cases, a MediPedi can be conducted whilst you’re receiving another treatment, such as a facial or enzyme therapy treatment.