With my 31st birthday trip looming, I realised I had a problem. How could I live my best island girl life in Barbados with crusty feet? OK, crusty is a slight exaggeration, but it had been a fair few months since my last pedicure. I decided a bog standard salon version simply wouldn’t do. This called for a medical pedicure. This called for Margaret Dabbs.
As a first-timer, when it came to treatment day, I did feel a little apprehensive. Would I be told that my feet were in terrible condition? Might the foot file trigger uncontrollable laughter I wouldn’t be able to contain? Fortunately, as soon as I met Liliana, the senior foot health practitioner at Margaret Dabbs London’s Liberty location, my mind was put at ease by her manner. I settled back, confident that brand new feet awaited me.
What happens at a medical pedicure?
“A Margaret Dabbs London medical pedicure is the most comprehensive foot treatment available due to the consultation, diagnosis and surgical chiropody-style treatment intervention,” explains Tamara Guerreiro Iglesias, the brand’s director of podiatry. “Think of it as a hygienist and facialist for the feet, all in one.”
At Margaret Dabbs London, medical pedicures are conducted by either a podiatrist or foot health practitioner, so you know your feet are in safe hands. To begin with, Liliana examined my feet and asked about any areas of concern I might have. For me, the main ones were the obvious dryness and hard skin. She confirmed that this was the case (suspected) but that the overall condition of my feet was good. Win!
For those whose foot concerns go beyond dryness and hard skin, a medical pedicure can address other foot-related issues like corns, calluses, bunions, ingrown toenails, fungal nails, athlete’s foot, ageing feet, and biomechanical or gait-related issues. They’ll be treated during an appointment and, when you leave, you’ll have a bespoke plan to help you to keep them in good nick at home.
“We always start with the left foot so that we can show the client the difference between both feet,” Guerreiro Iglesias explains. “The treatment begins with a focus on the nails, which are cut, shaped and cleared of debris (fine nail filings, for example) using a specialised drill with diamond burrs and our unique super shine buffer.”
The next step involves a scalpel, with the practitioner starting at the apex of each toe, then the first knuckle and then the toe joint. It’s now that all hard skin, corns and calluses are removed. “From here, we move onto the plantar part of the foot and use a scalpel and foot file to remove corns and dry skin,” describes Guerreiro Iglesias. The entire treatment lasts 45 minutes and is totally painless. At the end, foot oil and foot lotion are applied to rehydrate the skin.
One thing I found interesting was that my entire pedicure was performed dry. Unlike other pedicures that start with soaking the feet, my skin didn’t touch a bowl of water once. “A dry pedicure brings longer-lasting results, as the treatment is performed on the skin in its natural state,” Guerreiro Iglesias explains. It also minimises the risk of infection. “Working on wet skin can mask the areas that need treatment and may increase the risk of skin damage or cracking.”
At Margaret Dabbs, there is the option of adding treatments onto the standard appointment, like a foot massage, detox bath or polish.
Another difference between a regular pedicure and a medical pedicure is that you leave with a robust treatment plan. It outlines when you should return, and how to care for your feet in between appointments.
I was recommended a foot file for weekly use to help keep any hard skin at bay, and opted for the one used during my appointment, as I loved how effortlessly smooth it left my feet feeling. Alongside this, I purchased the foot hygiene cream, an overnight treatment balm with antifungal and antibacterial benefits which you apply to the feet and nails (not in between the toes, as that can be a breeding ground for fungus). Trust me, you’ll wake up with the softest feet the next day.
Why are medical pedicures so popular?
I can understand why medical pedicure converts are so passionate about them: the access to a professional foot specialist hooked me after just one appointment.
Whether I want to know if something doesn’t look right with my feet, and if it’s worth consulting my GP, or simply want advice on whether the trainers I wear are right for me, my appointment is essentially expert therapy for my feet – and there are no silly questions.
“We believe our patients recognise the value that a professional foot specialist — such as a podiatrist or foot health practitioner – can bring. Their expertise allows them to assess a wide range of foot conditions and create effective, personalised treatment plans,” says Guerreiro Iglesias. “The results are longer-lasting than those of a cosmetic pedicure, and the fact that we use only sterilised, single-use instruments provides reassurance and ensures the highest standards of hygiene.”
Who can have a medical pedicure?
Wonderfully, anyone can enjoy the benefits of a medical pedicure. Even if your feet are in good condition, Guerreiro Iglesias recommends having at least one a year to maintain optimal foot health. “It’s a very popular treatment for both men and women. As it’s a professional medical procedure, there is generally no need to seek medical advice beforehand,” she tells me.
Of course, there’s room for all different types of pedicures, but medical pedicures currently have my heart. After my first appointment, I had shellac applied to my toes, choosing a sweet pinky-lilac shade called Cake Pop by CND. I’ve since been back for another appointment and already have plans to return before a trip to LA next month.
A treatment costs from £85 to £140, depending on the provider.
