Day after marathon: don't pull black toenails, don't pop closed blisters, 5 to 7 days of absolute rest before any full pedicure. The SPA Luxe pedicure at €70 is to schedule at D+10 for real recovery. When in doubt, see a podiatrist.
The amateur runner finishes the Paris Marathon with a few gifts they didn't order: blisters, soreness, sometimes one or two dark blue toenails. Good news: almost everything heals on its own if you follow two simple rules.
The black toenail: never pull
The black toenail (subungual hematoma) comes from repeated rubbing of the nail against the shoe during the race. Blood pools under the nail, which turns dark blue-black.
What to do
- Leave the nail in place as long as it holds. It acts as natural dressing.
- Let the hematoma resorb — 4 to 8 weeks on average.
- Cut short with clean clippers if the nail wears down.
- If the nail comes off on its own: cut the dead part, disinfect, protect with dressing.
What absolutely not to do
- Pull the nail: the skin underneath is raw and vulnerable.
- Pierce to drain: major infection risk — that's a podiatrist's job with sterile tools only.
- Apply polish while the nail hasn't regrown: smothers healing.
Blisters: three cases, three moves
Closed blister (intact)
Don't pop it. Disinfect, cover with a hydrocolloid dressing, let the fluid resorb. The skin regenerates itself.
Popped blister
Clean with lukewarm water and gentle soap. Disinfect (no pure alcohol, which stings). Protect until healed with proper dressing. Change once a day.
Infected blister (red, hot, painful)
See a doctor or podiatrist. Don't try home care.
The days that follow: 5 to 7 days of rest
- Elevate feet whenever possible — helps drainage.
- Lukewarm foot bath (not hot) with Epsom salts: 15 min in the evening.
- Rich moisturiser, no deep massage.
- Wide, flat shoes — avoid heels, tight models.
- No running, no extended walking, no intense sport.
At D+10: the recovery pedicure
When sensitive zones are healed (generally D+10 to D+14), a full pedicure is not only allowed — it's beneficial. At the salon, two formats:
The SPA Luxe pedicure at €70 (50 min) includes:
- Lukewarm foot bath with salts
- Gentle scrub on healed zones
- Cut, file, cuticle care
- Moderate callus removal (without touching blisters)
- Light foot massage (never deep on sensitive zone)
The dedicated SPA foot massage
For marathoners who want real muscle recovery, the SPA foot massage at €60 (45 min) should also be scheduled at D+10 minimum. Gentle to moderate pressure — never deep over blister or scar zones.
💡 Tip: bring a photo of your medal — we share the team's pride. Our salon is 5 minutes from the Concorde start; some marathoners come back to us every year.
A specific pedicure for those who run
Beyond the marathon, many regular runners visit the salon for quarterly maintenance. Typical routine: SPA Luxe pedicure without colour every 3 months, home hydration between. That's the key to feet that last over the long haul.
When to see a podiatrist rather than the salon?
- Extremely painful black toenail or a throbbing hematoma: podiatrist.
- Infected blister (red, hot, weeping): doctor or podiatrist.
- Joint pain persisting after 10 days: sports doctor.
The beauty salon doesn't replace medical care — we work on aesthetics and comfort, not pathology.
Schedule your D+10 pedicure
SPA Luxe pedicure or SPA foot massage — at You Rêve Paris.
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