Why Podiatrists Recommend Medical Pedicures for Healthier Feet (2025)

A medical pedicure is a therapeutically oriented service emphasizing foot health rather than cosmetic appeal. Foot safety is paramount, making it a good option for people with health conditions that make getting a regular pedicure risky.

Medical Pedicure Basics

A medical pedicure (sometimes called a "medi-pedi") differs from a regular pedicure in several ways. A foot specialist performs a medical pedicure rather than a traditional pedicurist. It is geared toward preventing infection by using sterile tools and being mindful of health issues affecting feet.

Preventive and corrective care are central to medical pedicures. They aim to prevent problems and conditions that may need medical intervention. With regular medical pedicures, you can prevent foot problems from arising without some of the risks associated with traditional pedicures.

For example, a pedicure in a traditional nail salon often starts with a foot soak. This may be tempting, but it risks contamination in the tub, which can be a breeding ground for infectious organisms. If you have a cut on your toe or get a nick in the skin, you run the risk of developing an infection.

But a medi-pedi is soak-free and does not involve water. It prioritizes foot health over appearance.

What to Expect

A medical pedicure is different from one in a spa setting. Typically, the ambiance is sterile rather than soothing.

The process is usually performed in a podiatrist's office. A certified medical nail technician (MNT) with special nail and foot care training often performs the medical pedicure. The MNT examines your feet and assesses the treatments you will need.

During the medi-pedi, the podiatrist or MNT will be focused on safely doing the following:

• Examining your foot: The provider will look for skin, nail, or overall structure issues.
• Cleaning and disinfecting the skin: Moist, warm towels may also be used to soften the skin.
• Trimming toenails to the proper length: The emphasis will be on ensuring that the nails are cut to the proper length to avoid ingrown toenails, bruising, and pain from bumping against the end of your shoe. Thick edges will be thinned, and ingrown toenails will be treated.
• Gently removing calluses: An MNT will use sophisticated tools, such as a sharp, sterile blade designed to remove corns and calluses or a rotating tool to buff these down.
• Caring for the cuticle: The MNT may gently manipulate the cuticles, emphasizing not injuring the tissue or damaging the nail.
• Removing dry, flaky skin with an exfoliant: This involves using a salt or sugar scrub or a chemical exfoliant.
• Moisturizing the skin: Those with dry, cracked skin may benefit from applying oils or moisturizers.

Benefits

Undergoing a medical pedicure may not bring with it the luxury of a day at the spa, but it has its perks. The benefits of a medical pedicure include:

• A specially trained MNT assesses the condition of your feet and performs any necessary procedures. During this stage, the MNT considers any existing problems and looks for any new ones that may be emerging.
• Infection prevention is stressed. This is especially important for people with conditions that compromise their immune systems and increase their risk of infection.
• Safe treatment of foot issues is provided. From nail care to callus removal, special tools and techniques will ensure no injury occurs.
• Specialized diabetic foot care is provided. Preventing foot ulcers or infections is key with diabetes. Medi-pedis are geared toward this goal.
• Care is given for any special foot problems. The MNT will examine your feet and address any issues you may have, such as hammertoes, nail fungus, bunions (a bony protrusion on the side of the big toe), or athlete's foot (a fungal skin infection).
• Emerging problems will be detected and addressed. The MNT can spot signs of early nail fungus or athlete's foot and assess shoe issues affecting your feet. They can help keep little issues from becoming big ones.

Who Should Consider a Medical Pedicure?

Not everybody needs a medical pedicure. However, a pedicure at a traditional spa or salon can be risky for people with some underlying medical conditions. A medical pedicure should be considered for those with the following conditions.

Diabetes

Diabetes is marked by poor circulation and slow healing. People with diabetes need to prevent even minor nicks or foot sores. Even mild infections can lead to gangrene, which may ultimately require some form of amputation.

With diabetes, what otherwise would be routine nail care can be crucial to health, requiring medical expertise. If a foot sore is noticed and effectively treated early, it may save a more severe outcome.

Autoimmune Diseases

If you have an autoimmune disease (in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues), it can affect your nails and skin. With rheumatoid arthritis, for example, your nails may develop vertical ridges.

Changes in nails, hair, and skin also occur with lupus. The nails may become rough or thick, and you may notice spots or pigmentation changes on the cuticles. Psoriasis also often affects the nails.

Treating autoimmune diseases can involve drugs that weaken the immune system, making the person more vulnerable to infection. Preventing infection is important in managing these conditions.

Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment may affect your skin and your nails. It may also impair the ability to fight infection or heal wounds, so care is needed when getting a pedicure.

If you're undergoing chemotherapy, your nails may crack and darken, and your skin may become itchy. With radiation treatment, you may have dry, itchy, red, and sensitive skin. With immunotherapy, there can be nail and skin problems, and with stem cell transplants, blisters and rashes.

Summary

Trained professionals typically perform a medical pedicure in a podiatrist's office. The emphasis is on foot health and infection control rather than aesthetic appeal. Getting a medical pedicure can help prevent foot problems from progressing and is a preferred foot care option for those whose health issues make them vulnerable to infection.