Medicure is a term that is made up from the words "medical" and "pedicure." It is a form of foot care and treatment that adds a medical aspect to the regular pedicure session at a foot spa. It can be considered as a combination of a quick visit to the podiatrist for minor foot problems, and the fine pampering touches of a pedicurist. For medicure treatments to be effective, a visit to the medicurist every four to six weeks is highly recommended.
There are two significant differences between a pedicure and a medicure. Unlike a pedicure, a medicure looks at the overall health of the feet, including the diagnosis and treatment of simple foot problems such as ingrown toenails or fungal infection. Hygiene and sanitation are also highly emphasized in medicure services. For example, all equipment used during a session is sterilized and unique to each individual.
A typical medicure session offers the basic pedicure treatment for the nails and skin of the feet. This comprises exfoliation of the skin with an antibacterial solution in order to remove dry and dead skin cells; cutting, shaping, buffing, and polishing the toenails; and massaging the feet. The medical aspect of the session comes in when the feet are diagnosed and treated for nail or skin damage.
Common problems with toenails are unsightly fungal growth, ingrown toenails, and weak or cracked nails. A medicurist deals with these problems by incorporating antifungal and nail repair treatments in addition to the basic pedicure services already offered. For instance, a client with a fungal growth on his toenails will begin his session by having his toenails cleaned thoroughly with an antifungal solution. The medicurist will then treat any discoloration by bleaching the toenails before buffing and polishing them with a special antifungal nail polish. Similarly, a client with an ingrown toenail can have this problem corrected at his medicurist through a simple bracing system that allows the toenail to grow straight instead of inwards.
Over the years, fine lines or wrinkles, scars, and pigment patterns resulting from the aging process and sun exposure can eventually take their toll on the feet. For these problems, a medicure provides the ultimate pampering a pair of feet can receive — a special foot facial. This foot treatment aims to reduce the unattractive effects of aging by thoroughly removing the old layer of dry and cracked skin. This facial uses natural minerals, vitamins, and skin lightening products, and the feet are left feeling soft and rejuvenated.