With summer right around the corner now is the perfect time to show your feet some TLC so you don’t have to feel embarrassed when you want to start wearing flip flops and sandals.
We’ve all seen it, the hard, discoloured, cracked heels of the person in front of us on the escalators. It’s not a pretty sight but it’s a very common one.
The trouble is, our feet are usually the last part of our body that gets shown any attention and yet they carry us around all day, stuffed into tight shoes or dragged around barefoot.
Terrible feet weren’t always terrible. They started out a little dry but over time the pressure on them and the lack of moisture made them the sorry cracked mess that they have become – and most of us will have experienced it. There aren’t many adults with baby soft feet, believe me, I have seen plenty in the salon.
But, with as little as a few minutes a day, your feet can be smooth and summer ready.
So what should you do to your feet?
Firstly, invest in a foot file. Not the cheese grater style as these are too harsh and will make the problem worse in the long run – too much abrasion makes the body create more hard skin. Instead opt for a tool that will ‘smooth’ rough skin. You should use the foot file on dry or lightly damp feet but never after a long soak. Filing hard skin after soaking can lead to over abrasion, making the problem worse and the feet vulnerable to sores. Giving your feet a file a couple of times a week is plenty – don’t overdo it.
Always thoroughly dry your feet after showering or bathing. Giving them a good rub with a towel can help remove dead skin build up, whilst making sure the feet are dry helps to reduce the risk of fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
Finally, the ultimate solution to hard skin on the feet is regularly applying a moisturiser. Even in the salon we focus on moisture rather than too much scraping and filing. Choose a foot cream that has Urea in it. These types of products are usually much more hydrating than a body moisturiser you might have laying around at home. Don’t expect results overnight as consistency is key. It may take up to 3 months to really see results but it’s absolutely worth it.
*If you’re diabetic, always check the labels on products to ensure they are suitable for diabetics. Consult a podiatrist or medical practitioner if you have underlying health conditions which may affect the feet, they will be able to advise the best way to care for your feet.
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