Our feet carry us through life. Our entire body weight is distributed on our feet. In addition, there are so-called reflex zones, whose stimulation in the context of a foot reflex massage has an effect on our organs and the entire organism. Our feet are important and require extensive care. Here we distinguish between medical foot care and cosmetic foot care, the latter hereinafter referred to as pedicure.
Pedicure - Cosmetic Foot Care
By pedicure, we mean the purely aesthetic treatment of the feet. In contrast to medical foot treatment, cosmetic treatment does not involve any health limitations of the feet. Pedicure is exclusively about the care and beautification of the feet.
Basically, a pedicure consists of three parts: cleaning the feet, shortening and decorating. The feet are first cleaned in a warm foot bath. Rough calluses are removed with a pumice stone. After pushing back the cuticles, the nail plate is buffed and polished, and the nails are shortened and filed.
Which products and instruments are used in a pedicure?
In a pedicure, only cosmetic cleansing care products are used. These are without any active ingredients and freely available in stores. The instruments used are also freely available.
Specialists for pedicure
The term "foot care specialist" is not protected. This means that there is no independent training to become a foot care specialist. As a result, there are numerous providers of further training and courses with the title "foot care specialist in the medical sense" or "chiropodist", which are neither state-certified nor known to the Chamber of Crafts. Depending on the qualification of the specialist personnel, the quality of the offer therefore also varies. It is therefore advisable to inquire about the training of the foot care specialist before a pedicure for safety's sake.
For hair salons and beauty salons, there are certain hygienic guidelines that are recommended. However, these are not subject to control by the health department, which means that hygiene standards are only checked for valid reasons. Due to a lack of controls, it is at the discretion of the foot care specialist whether the instruments, including the pumice stone, are cleaned and disinfected after each treatment.
What does a pedicure cost and when is it recommended?
The cost of a pedicure, depending on the type and scope of treatment, ranges between €15 and €65. Cleaning, buffing, and shortening are part of the basic package. Additional services such as milling, grinding, shaping, painting, and nail art are charged extra.
The reasons for a professional pedicure are purely aesthetic. When the feet are visible, they should present a well-groomed appearance. Cracks and calluses on the feet are considered unaesthetic. During a pedicure, the nails are cleaned, cut, polished, and painted. A relaxing foot bath with subsequent callus removal and a foot reflex zone massage are sometimes offered. A pedicure is a purely aesthetic treatment and serves for relaxation and recreation. A pedicure is not suitable for those who have chronic problems such as sweaty feet, burning feet, painful pressure points, nail fungus, ingrown nails, or inflamed cuticles.
Medical Foot Treatment
The term "medical foot care" means that a disease-curing or health-preserving treatment or examination is carried out according to medically relevant aspects. However, the actual designation of the activity is not protected, which often leads to confusion among customers. Theoretically, any foot care specialist can advertise offering medical foot care. In contrast, the professional title of podiatrist is protected and can only be practiced with official permission. Therefore, anyone who wants to have their feet professionally cared for is on the safe side with a podiatrist. With specially and long-term trained specialists, the feet are in safe hands.
Range of medical foot treatment services
Whether ingrown nails, painful pressure points, corns, sweaty feet, nail fungus, or burning feet - in case of pain, medical treatment by a trained podiatrist is absolutely recommended. Especially for burning feet, Mosadal Aloe Vera Gel is pleasantly cooling. Diseases that affect the health of the feet are also included in the range of medical foot treatment services: People with diabetes, rheumatism, and circulatory disorders regularly make use of this type of care. Medical measures are intended to prevent the disease or prevent or delay its worsening. If necessary, in consultation with the treating specialist, the foot pulse is taken, deep sensitivity is checked, and fungal infections and calluses are treated. The range of treatments also includes corrective procedures, such as the insertion of artificial nail plates.
A professional, high-quality foot treatment for pure care purposes can also be obtained from the podiatrist. The podiatrist removes calluses using a scalpel. This prevents the new formation of calluses on the feet, unlike sanding. Overall, less callus forms on the feet. If the feet are also regularly cared for with Mosadal Cream, callus formation can even be completely prevented. Mosadal foot care products are particularly high-quality and effectively lead to first-class treatment results.
Which products and instruments are used in medical foot care?
Medical foot care specialists sometimes use cutting instruments to remove or correct warts, corns, or ingrown toenails.
In addition to various scissors, pliers, files, as well as electric drills and sterilization devices are among the instruments used. Deep-seated objects are removed by the medical foot care specialist with a scalpel. Mosadal care products have been tested by dermatologists and independent institutes and are therefore particularly high-quality and effective.
Specialist personnel for medical foot treatment
The podiatrist is able to recognize the first signs of chronic diseases such as arteriosclerosis at an early stage. Podiatrists specialize in maintaining foot health and cooperate with medical professionals such as dermatologists, diabetologists, or orthopedists. The training to become a podiatrist lasts two years and is state-recognized. The training includes the anatomy and physiology of the feet with a holistic approach that includes the entire body and the environment.
What does medical foot treatment cost and when is it recommended?
In certain cases, for example, with diabetes or after a referral from a specialist, the health insurance company covers medical foot treatment by a podiatrist. Podiatric treatments can therefore be prescribed.
Preventive measures without a medical prescription are similarly priced to cosmetic treatments. The initial examination usually costs between €25 and €35, while additional treatments are charged extra.
In case of nail discoloration, skin redness, unusual spots, or pain, medical foot treatment is recommended. In many cases, the treating specialist recommends visiting a podiatrist.
