The Luxurious Medicure

by Valerie Gladstone — October 17, 2007

The French have done it again. While we have been spending our time irritated after discovering that soon after spending $25 or more for a pedicure our heels quickly peel and flake, they have been getting medicures (aka medical pedicure). These foot treatments can only be described as a pedicure taken to the orgasmic level. With a medicure, it's bye-bye flakiness, and hello super gorgeous feet.

The treatments are gaining popularity because so many shoes, like open-toed platform wedges and designer sandals, expose feet to intense scrutiny and not just from your regular foot fetishist. One manicurist says a medicure is to a standard salon pedicure what a thorough car tuneup is to a drop-in oil change.

Even though the price usually starts at $35 and can climb to $300, connoisseurs say they are worth every penny because your feet are healthier for a very long time--6 weeks at least. Of course, first you have to collect all those pennies to pay the price, whether you go to a traditional salon or medical spa.

The Treatment

A manicurist - no special license is required-   removes dead skin and calluses, and thoroughly cleans feet and toenails in a super sanitary way, checking for fungal infections, corns, ingrown toenails, even signs of skin cancer. They then push back your cuticles, sand off your calluses, following up with a paddle exfoliator, a foot massage, and the buffing and polishing of the nails. The process takes at least twice as long as typical nail parlor pedicures, often up to two hours.

Tips

• Check out the cleanliness of the salon before you make an appointment
• Bring your own tools to prevent infections
• Try to go to a salon that uses basins instead of whirlpool tubs; germs collect in jets
• Alcohol should be kept nearby to treat nicks
• Never let a manicurist use a razor on your feet (it's illegal in most states)
• People with severe foot problems should always consult a doctor first before having pedicures of any type