So this was your basic horror show. I ordered Grace & Stella's Dr. Pedicure from Amazon. A home pedicure kit that promises all the skin on your feet will peel off. Which sounds great until you actually witness all of the skin on your feet peeling off.
Product review. Not a sponsored post.
Skip right to how to use Dr. Pedicure.
Maybe, let's go back to the beginning of all of this. First of all, if you've been following me for any amount of time you know my feet are horrible. They are block shaped fists of meat on the end of my ankles. I have a bunion and they're calloused and for the summer months they have the added delight of also being stained with ground in chicken crap. It's probably compost, but it started as chicken crap.
I am therefore on a constant quest to do what I can to make my feet less repulsive. Not presentable because that would require a foot transplant - I just want to get them to the point that if someone sees them they only stare in horror as opposed to barfing on the spot.
I use CeraVe as a moisturizer, a pumice stone regularly (this inexpensive, archaic tool actually works by the way) and even a battery operated sanding roller which I reviewed a few years ago. I have used Shea butter, flown to Thailand to allow tiny fish to eat away at the dead skin on my feet and went to bed wearing wet socks. I'm not sure why I did that last one.
And yet I still have rough, shield your eyes, feet. All of the things I do help a little (some a lot) but if I let things slip I'm back to square one with my ankle fists.
So the home pedicure search continues. In November it led me to Amazon and Dr. Pedicure and the new Canadian company Grace and Stella.
I wasn't entirely sure what a "Dr. Pedicure" was but the packaging did say USE THIS AND YOU'LL BE SHOWING YOUR FEET OFF so I figured I was headed in the right direction.
It turns out that Dr. Pedicure is a single use skin exfoliator for your feet. The box contains 2 plastic booties filled with special, scientific gunk that you wear for an hour. Then you just remove the booties, rinse the gunk and wait for your skin to naturally peel away several days later.
(It takes a few days for the gunk to work its magic.)
There were several warnings on the box about this not be appropriate for people with thin skin (Diabetes), those who are pregnant, nursing and a few other things.
WARNINGS??? omg this was going to be fantastic!
I put the booties on immediately and the horror show began. But the good kind of horror show.
Home Pedicure with Dr. Pedicure
Day 1
- Apply the booties and secure with included red tape.
2. Sit for an hour while wearing booties.
I would advise you to put socks over your booties because they are a safety hazard of epic proportions. Slippery plastic booties filled with slippery, gooey gunk.
Just put the booties on, cover them with socks, sit back and relax. It's not as pleasant as it looks. For the next hour you will feel as though your feet are trapped in 2 cold, dirty diapers.
3. Remove the booties and wash your feet.
Day 4
It has begun. For days 2 and 3 my feet felt really dry. On the evening of Day 4 I pulled my socks off inside out and noticed they were filled with bits of Kleenex. I figured I must have accidentally washed a wad of them when I did laundry and it ended up in my socks.
Nnnnnnnnnope.
It wasn't Kleenex on the inside of my socks. It was skin.
Day 5
More peeling. More grossness. I loved it.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
The remarkable thing, which I never even thought of as I was wearing the booties is it made EVERYTHING on my feet peel. The tips of my toes, the tops of my feet, my cuticles ... every-thing.
Day 6
My feet were looking so good I thought I'd really take the look over the top and paint my toenails.
I was ready for sandals. Obviously.
Day 7
At this point I was starting to think about charging admission.
You aren't supposed to pick at or peel your skin and you're only supposed to moisturize your feet a tiny bit if you really think you can't stand it anymore. You're just supposed to let the skin slough off naturally. Which it did. In my socks, in my bed, on the carpet.
Every time I pulled on a pair of socks it sounded like I was breaking open a crusty loaf of bread.
At this point I started sending out pictures because the most fun thing about getting a cut, bruise or any other injury is showing it off to people. The first picture went to Betty.
My mother went from a position of absolute horror to considering the possibility of using it as a home facial in 1.2 seconds.
Please do not use Dr. Pedicure as a home facial. I don't think they'd even recommend that in China.
Day 16
A little over 2 weeks into this experiment it seemed like the peeling was finally finished.
This is not a great picture. I get that. But you can see my foot a little bit and you can see there are still dry bits.
However they are much better than they were at the beginning of this process.
Conclusion?
Does Dr. Pedicure work to peel dead skin away in 2 weeks? Yes it does.
Does Dr. Pedicure work as well as a real pedicure? I'm on the fence on this one. It definitely gets rid of more dead skin that an aesthetician could, like in between your toes and the skin on the top of your foot. But my heels still needed a bit of smoothing after Dr. Pedicure with a pumice stone.
Is Dr. Pedicure safe? I'm not a doctor of feet or skin so I can't really answer if it's safe or not according to the packaging it is.
Main Ingredients in Dr. Pedicure
Water, Alcohol, isopropyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid a bunch of other stuff, and then a LOT of plant based acids from fruit like oranges, apples and grapefruit.
Those seem to be the main active ingredients, but it also includes a lot of plant extracts from sage, lemons, clematis, meadowsweet, horsetail herb, chamomile and other plants and flowers. In fact it has 17 extracts in it.
The product is indeed made in China but is distributed by The Grace & Stella Company out of Vancouver and first appeared on Dragon's Den.
Get Dr. Pedicure here in Canada.
or
Get Dr. Pedicure here in the U.S.
At $17 it's cheaper than a box of barf bags.
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Elaine
Thank you, Karen, for this ... um, interesting post! 😊 I may actually give this a try but have written down some of the other suggestions from your readers.
Have you, or any of your readers, tried the “mouthwash” remedy that’s on Pinterest? I keep meaning to try it but haven’t taken the time yet. Due to back problems and too many birthdays, I no longer can bend/twist to pumice away my callouses and am looking for an easy remedy!
Gayle M
Yep. I do it now and then. Works, really helps. Be careful what color mouthwash you use--my feet were tinged blue. BUT, i did soak for quite a while that first time--watching a movie. Now i use the amber color.
Karen
Mmmm, nope I haven't even heard of the mouthwash remedy. But I can tell you most of what's on Pinterest is suspicious, lol. Not ALL of it! But a lot of it. I'll have a look though and possibly give it a shot! ~ karen
Shauna Nikolaus
I've don't the mouthwash remedy. It's equal amounts of mouthwash and apple cider vinegar. Yes, for sure use the amber colored mouthwash. I get both at Dollar Tree, so very cheap. Soak for a good long time. Watching a movie is a good idea. Then scrub with a stiff brush and /or use a pumice stone. Nice soft feet and kills out the fungus that causes the cracking in the first place. Yes, it's caused by fungus. I do it a couple times a year. Keeps the feet nice and healthy without worrying about a nightly regime of lotions or potions.
Angel
Feet ankle-fists. 😂
Best description. EVER.
Maggie
Hi Karen, Now that your footsies are peeled and looking lovingly refreshed I thought I’d share a product that I really don’t understand why it works so well and how it’s so cheap: Mane ’n Tail Hoofmaker Hand and Nail Therapy. It’s like $4.25 on Amazon. I thickly coat my feet before bed, put socks on top and that’s it. I have feet like yours that will bleed when my soles crack. This is the only thing I’ve found that works and it’s fast usually healing in 2-3 nights. A friend also told me never to pumice or use an emery board on my feel when dry, never wet. At least for my feet, she may be right. To pretty, pain-free feet, painted toes and summer sandals, thank you for your thoroughly entertaining thoughts and sharing of life’s experiences! You make laugh and smile in ways that brighten my days.
Karen
Good to know, thanks Maggie! ~ karen!
Cathy red
I wonder if I could use it on my callous. Not sure my feet could handle a full on exposure to this stuff. It’s likely the Glycolic Acid Doing the heavy lifting here. But I’m happy to hear I don’t have the jankiest feet on the planet. Let’s do a contest...everyone post photos! Who’s in??? Prize could be a box of this stuff, eh?
K Hamilton
I was looking at this and my husband walked in and said, "What the hell is that??!!!" Then I had to explain why I was looking at it. He now knows I'm nuts.
Karen
I'm surprised he thinks you're nuts and not me. Seems to me he's directing his nutsness at the wrong person. ~ karen!
SusanR
Bag Balm. No need to peel off dead skin, no need to do it at night. I just slather it on the bottoms of my feet, or all over my feet if they look like they need it, put on socks, and go about my day. No matter how hard and cracked my heels have gotten, within a few days they are soft and smooth.
When I lived in Hawaii, there was no need for it, as just walking in the sand once a week took care of polishing my feet and keeping the skin soft. But now that I live on the mainland, every winter there seems to come a time when I find a need to get out the Bag Balm.
Suel
Hey Karen!
Thank you once again for being willing to share your "sole" with us. I'm having trouble typing this because I'm still laughing. I've worked in hospitality, food chemistry and now in the medical field and I'm thinking you've essentially tenderized your feet. All those plant acids & vinegar could tenderize a really tough cut of beef (not sure how that would taste). But don't get any ideas about using your slow cooker as a foot spa...
Addie
I am right there with you on the dry feet. Tried just about everything. Then I saw those
really thick, course, wide, black nail files that say, "for acrylic nails only". mmmm I thought.
Well, they work fantastic!!! In the summer I do it in the backyard. In the winter I just prop my foot over the toilet bowl and file away. Then I will put thick moisture cream on. Once you get it together under control, you only have to do it once a month!!!! When done just rinse it off the file and it last for over a year!!! I have tried the pumice stone and I did't like doing the balancing act in the shower. The file method is easier!!!
Also, on a side note, I have a separate one and use it to file my dogs nails. She will NOT let any clipper or grinder near her feet...but this she loves!!! A couple of swipes and she is good to go!!!
Lynn
Oh my thank goodness I didn’t have anything in my mouth when I started to read this one.
Dry feet is a definite delema for my husband, sorry to say he can not use those kind of treatments. I will try to get him to use the Vaseline treatment though. He has always had trouble with his feet, an is always trying new creams and such.
Thank you Karen and all your other readers for the helpful hints.
Erin
My feet get so dry and cracked in the summer, I'd scrape/sand/moisturize, to no avail. Then my Chinese godmother (yes) said "vinegar and glycerin". 2/3 vingar to 1/3 glycerin. Mix, and apply to feet every night before bed. I was skeptical, as this is the same woman who thinks burnt toast is going to give me cancer (long story), and says that she got sick because she drank ice water (another story).
But I shit you not, my feet that nothing worked on (from expensive creams to plain ol' vaseline) were soft and smooth about 2 weeks later. Just from rubbing this mix on my feet.
Worth a shot?
Missy
Oh I want to try this!! Do you leave it on for “x” amount of time and then rinse off? I am all about trying some new “voodoo” potions!
Erin
Missy: Nope! Just put it on a cotton ball, rub it on like a lotion, and go to bed.
Karen
Maybe they're just soft because you've waxed them up like a bowling alley? It'll go on my "maybe" list, lol. ~ karen!
Erin
... do they use glycerin on bowling alley's? I'm confuddled. LOL!
Vegetable glycerin, like this stuff: https://smile.amazon.com/NOW-Solutions-Vegetable-Glycerine-16-Ounce/dp/B0019LWU2K/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1546904290&sr=8-3&keywords=glycerin&th=1
Alena
As I fed myself the first tablespoon of soup, I simoultaneously clicked this post. I looked at your peeling foot. Fortunately, I am the kind of person that is not easily disturbed by such images (I am laughing at the people posting on Dr. Pimple Popper's posts "Don't eat while watching this!!!'
A while, a similar product (or maybe a few similar ones) were all the rage on Instagram. I was very interested because I have suffered from horribly dry feet with cracked heels already in young age (I was not even a teenager yet). At first, I was really intrigued to try it but the review were rather negative (I think they stated that it either did not work or that it kept peeling until their feet were really raw) so I never did.
Christine
I have great feet! It only took me 60 years to figure it out.Walmart sells a product called Dermal Therapy,you can get it in other stores but pay you will pay more.Once a week with socks,day or night.Sally Beauty sells a red foot file,buy the more expensive waterproof version and use it twice a week in the shower.My cracks are gone and my feet are as soft as a child's!
Amy in StL
Every winter I do Baby Feet, it's the same thing just with a different name. I love it, but I pick the skin off. That's the best part.
judy
OH MY! My thought on this dilemma is your Karma has given you multitudinous talents-really awesome and awe inspiring- energy- wisdom and phenomenal skills-Karma gives and it gets back. Your give back is squirrely looking footsies. IMHO small price to pay-I'd take that bargain in a New York minute.
Barb Dickson
OMG Karen. This post should have come with a warning, “Don’t eat breakfast while reading this post” I nearly lost my egg and toast when I saw your peeling feet. It looked so painful. Seems like lots of people have the same problem, especially in the winter. Good luck and I love your humour.
A Guy
Even including of your feet, nice gams.
My girlfriend bought a similar product for me last year and put a Korean version (TonyMoly Changing Magic Foot Peeling Shoes) in my Christmas stocking this year.
I used the product last spring and it worked nicely. Basically, it made them look better. Granted, I was only looking for a "manly" level of improvement.
There is only a partial listing of ingredients in English, but the most troubling thing on the package is the statement "can transform an average-looking woman into an attractive lady."
A Guy
Karen
LOL, yup, that sounds like South Asian marketing. ~ karen!
linda in illinois
I watched a YouTube video on a product called "Babyfoot"... it was like your photos.. too funny girl.
Patricia Jaroslawski
Awesome post as usual.
I use the Cereve cream specific for feet and it is the bomb but it's really hard to find around here.
Louise Knight
Wow!! I have feet like you .. have tried creams, socks.. everything except this .. I go religiously every three weeks for a pedicure and still my feet are vile.. I have chickens and horses too and although I dont go barefoot outside .. I look like I do .. fabulous post anyway .. thanks 👍
Debbie from Illinois
Karen, you can never stop blogging! The world needs your sense of humor.
Karen
I don't know about that. I mean there's Ellen and Ricky Gervais and Steve Carrell and David Sedaris ... I think you'd do just fine without me. I'm almost positive. But O.K. I'll never stop blogging. ~ karen!