Thousands of Australian women treat themselves to a relaxing pedicure once or twice a month.
And while the process leaves them with freshly manicured feet, it’s unlikely the salon is equipped to deal with problems like cracked skin, corns and callouses.
Toenails may be in need some extra attention too, especially if they’ve become weakened or infected through nail polish that hasn’t been removed.
Enter the ‘medi-pedi’, a type of medical treatment offered by podiatrists.
Sydney podiatrist Kate McArthur explained a ‘medical pedicure’ is the most effective way to treat problem feet – and avoid any other issues that can arise from the use of non-sterile equipment.
Sydney podiatrist Kate McArthur (pictured) a medical pedicure is the most effective way to treat problem feet
Feet before (pictured left) and after (pictured right) they they have undergone a medi-pedi treatment
Nail and skin fungal infections can be a result of pedicures which are done using instruments that haven’t been properly sterilised.
Ms McArthur said there is a common misconception that equipment used by some nail salons is properly sterilised because it is packaged.
‘The pink to black indicator or sticker used on the packet doesn’t mean it has been sterilised. It only means its touched heat, like say a Microwave or warm water,’ she said.
‘UV light cabinets, microwave ovens, pasteurisation, disinfectants, pressure cookers, boiling and ultrasonic cleaners do not sterilise.’
The podiatrist also said nail polish that has been left on for too long could result in fungal problems (this shows as nails with white marks after nail polish is removed).
Nail polish leaves a large section of the nail that isn’t able to breathe, have UV light on it, and feet are not washed as regularly as hands so fungus can breed very quickly.
‘I have seen fungus grow as quickly as two weeks with nail polish on,’ Ms McArthur said.
Ms McArthur explained nail polish that’s left on for too long (pictured left) can sometimes result in the growth superficial fungus on the nails (pictured right)
Feet following a treatment (pictured) no longer appear to have problems with nail fungus
A medical pedicure takes around 30 minutes and while it costs $80 for a treatment, the benefits are worth it.
A general treatment involves a deep clean of toenails, and a thorough check between toes. Thickened skin, cracks in heels and corns are removed.
Next a foot balm is applied and in some cases a menthol-based product to stop fungus growth (this depends on the patient).
‘We have a system and procedure that ensures we wont miss anything that needs treatment and even things you may think aren’t an issue,’ Ms McArthur said.
A general treatment involves a deep clean of toe nails, and a thorough check in-between toes and the removal of thickened skin (feet pictured before)
And the procedure is as popular with women as it is with men, especially those who are active.
Some of the common problems people experience with their feet are often caused by sports activities.
The expert said people come to see her for consultations as infrequently as once a year for an overhaul, or if the problem is more severe they may come in once a month.
Those who have had say the treatment isn’t painful at all and have described is as sometimes ‘ticklish’ (feet pictured after)
And in case you think having someone attend to your feet for 30 minutes using a variety of medical instruments would be painful, there’s no need to worry.
The process has been described as sometimes ticklish, and not painful at all, Ms McArthur said.
‘Patients often tell me they feel 10 times lighter and sometimes I hear they say it’s like walking on clouds.’