Over the course of time, we put our feet through a lot. They do more than just get us from A to B; they are an essential mode of transportation and we should really give them the care and attention that they deserve in order to keep them healthy. 8th – 14th March marks this year’s National Feet Week and as we might not be able to pop to the nail salon just yet, it’s time to learn how to take care of our own feet with an at home pedicure.
GIVING YOURSELF A PEDICURE AT HOME
It can be a good idea to get into a regular routine of looking after your feet. This doesn’t mean that you need to give them a full pedicure every week, but regular footcare will certainly help your feet look and feel their best. A simple footcare routine might include giving your feet a gentle soak every couple of nights, filing the dry skin gently and then applying some moisturising cream. Of course, if you really want to pamper them then you might want to try a pedicure.
STEP BY STEP TO THE PERFECT PEDICURE AT HOME
Before you begin your pedicure, you need to ensure you allow enough time. This is a great way to set aside some time to pamper yourself and relax, so don’t rush it, self-care is important, and you deserve it. Make sure that you gather together everything that you might need. Once you begin you don’t want to be rushing around the house looking for things.
1) CLEAN UP
The first step of your pedicure is to clean off any old nail polish from your toes so grab some cotton wool and a good quality non-acetone remover – acetone can weaken your nail bed so is best avoided. Gently wipe your toenails to remove any traces of old polish and build-up of natural oils.
2) SOAK
Fill a basin with warm, not hot, water and soak your feet for around 15 minutes. There are a couple of things that you can add to the water to add to the overall spa experience. A capful of distilled white vinegar will help to tone and cleanse whilst a couple of drops of tea tree oil will counteract any bacteria on your feet that can lead to odour. Alternatively, a few tablespoons of Epsom salts can help if your feet are achy or lemon can help to cleanse.
3) SHAPE
Pat your feet dry and give your nails a few minutes to dry fully and harden a little. Then, using a pair of nail clippers, trim your toenails. Do not cut them too short as you will overexpose the sensitive skin of the nail bed. Once you are happy with the length of your nails you can shape the edges and the corners with a nail file. Gently clip any hangnails using a pair of nail clippers. You can also use a nail buffer to smooth out any ridges on the surface of your nail.
4) OIL
Apply cuticle oil to the skin around the edge of your nails and gently push your cuticles back using a cuticle pusher. Some people cut their cuticles, but they are best left as they protect the nail bed from nasty bacteria. The cuticle oil will help prevent nail damage and can help to stimulate nail growth.
5) DEAD SKIN
Now that you have dealt with your nails you should turn your attention to the rest of your foot. Dip your feet back into the water again to remove any dust and soften them slightly. Dry and gently rub your heels, sides of your feet and the soles with a pumice stone or foot file to remove any callouses and dead skin cells.
If shaving your dead skin feels a little bit yucky, the Pedi Vac foot file’s built in-vacuum will ensure you don’t have too much clean-up to do! Apply a scrub to your now softened feet. You can make your own with equal parts coconut oil and sugar, paying special attention to your ankles, feet and calves.
Rinse your feet thoroughly and pat dry.
6) HYDRATE
Gently massage your feet and calves with a foot cream or lotion to replace the moisture your filing may have removed. You may need to clean the surface of your nails after you have done this as a greasy surface will be difficult for polish to cling to.
7) POLISH
The moment that you have been waiting for has arrived. Use a toe separator and apply a base coat to your nails. Then apply two thin, even layers of your chosen polish colour to your toenails. Allow time between each coat for them to dry. Then add a clear topcoat and wait for it to dry. Or, if you prefer your toes to have a more natural look, perhaps consider a clear strengthening gel. If you get polish on your skin, you will be able to remove it carefully with a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover.
8) ADMIRE
Sit back and admire your handywork.
COMMON FOOTCARE COMPLAINTS
Hardworking feet can often suffer as a result of a number of footcare issues, fortunately the more common issues are usually ones that you can deal with yourself.
CORNS
A corn is a type of small callus and appears as a cone shaped area – that annoying bit on the side of your big toe, for example, where it rubs on your shoes. Prevention is the best cure, so wear shoes that fit properly. To treat corns, soak your feet for around 10 minutes, dry thoroughly and then pumice the corn gently before applying a moisturising cream.
BLISTERS
Tightly fitting or new shoes can rub feet and cause blisters. Make sure you wear new shoes in around the house to reduce the chance of blisters and if your shoes are too tight you may need a different size. Even adult feet can change size over time.
BUNIONS
Shoes that are too tight can also cause bunions. You can potentially avoid them by being careful about the style of shoes that you choose. As this is often an issue that appears on the big toe, shoes that are narrower at the front are a big culprit. Once you have developed bunions surgical intervention is often required, so prevention is better than cure!
SERIOUS FOOTCARE COMPLAINTS
While you might be able to take care of some footcare concerns at home, there are of course more serious complaints that can cause your feet issues, such as ingrown toenails. These are best treated by a professional; a podiatrist will be able to help you with the best course of action.
Why not give your feet a little love this week; whether you opt for a simple foot soak, or a full pedicure, you and your feet deserve it.