Most people know what a pedicure is, but what is the difference between a pedicure and a medical pedicure? A pedicure focuses on the cosmetic appearance of nails and skin and is carried out by an esthetician. A medical pedicure, sometimes referred to as a “medi-pedi”, is performed by a medical footcare clinician to make feet look better and feel healthier. Registered Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses are medical footcare clinicians who understand the anatomy of the feet, how they work and what can go wrong. They know what to look for and what requires treatment, and they also provide advice on what can be done at home between appointments to contribute to overall foot health and comfort.
Sandal ready
It’s nice to take off our socks and shoes and slip into sandals when the warm weather arrives. The opportunity to escape our cold Canadian winter for a brief moment in time is also a welcomed break. Are your feet sandal ready? Continue reading to learn what it takes to get your feet sandal ready!
A medical pedicure starts with a quick cleansing of the surface of the skin and nails. Nails are cut and filed and the area at the sides of the nails are cleared out to remove remnant nail or sharp edges and any debris that has collected. Rough and dry skin is filed to reveal smooth, soft and healthy skin once again. Our feet endure a lot of stress and pressure day to day as they carry us from point A to point B and therefore they may endure infection, injury and pain.
Nails
Infection causing bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, dark and moist environments such as our socks and shoes. Fungal toenails are common and can cause embarrassment and self-consciousness. There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription treatments available to target nail fungus. FOOTLOGIX NAIL TINCTURE Ingrown toenails cause pain and discomfort and may even lead to infection if they pierce the skin and are left untreated. BioPed’s medical footcare clinicians know how to properly and effectively treat these toenail issues. They will also educate you about your treatment options.
Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body and its primary job is to protect everything underneath. The cold temperatures and drier air of winter can deplete the moisture from our skin. If the skin on our feet is overly dry, it becomes weak and more prone to cracks. Improving and maintaining the health of skin is crucial, and this includes removing calluses and corns to restore the healthy texture of skin.
Products that contain urea are often recommended by medical footcare clinicians. Urea is an ingredient that will restore hydration to dry skin and reduce the build-up of dead skin cells. FOOTLOGIX VERY DRY SKIN FORMULA If dry skin seems stubborn and does not improve after the recommended steps have been taken, you may have a fungal infection of the skin known as athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is also known as tinea pedis and has a similar appearance to dry skin but can also itch, burn and cause a rash. Anti-fungal creams are available over-the-counter and by prescription and if used as directed, will address annoying fungi.
Make an appointment today with one of BioPed’s medical footcare clinicians to bring your feet one step closer to being sandal ready!
