It’s almost summer and most of us are looking forward to kicking off our boots and slipping on a pair of sandals. But wait: chipped nails and cracked heels suddenly look all the more ugly when a pair of delicate sandals are strapped on! It’s time to head out and get your feet taken care of Before you book an appointment at your nearest salon for a much-needed pedicure, there are a few things you should know first.
Hygiene is one of the most important aspects of a parlor which offers manicures and pedicures, as the risk associated with these treatments can be quite high. Puncturing or cutting the skin with a pumice stone or other unsterilized implements could lead to infection or even contracting diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV and Staph.
The most common affliction however is nail fungus which affects close to 2.5 million Americans annually. Typically, nail fungus grows when the nails are exposed to damp conditions such as in a sauna, public showers or a pedicure foot spa. The signs of a nail fungus are usually a yellow, discolored, thickened nail and for most people it is only a cosmetic issue. However, if your body does have an already weakened immune system, nail fungus can cause some amount of pain in your feet and can lead to further complications if left untreated.
There are a number of signs that you've acquired a nail fungal infection including:
- nail discoloration
- changes in nail texture
- nails that become crumbly and break easily
- irregular nail growth
While there are a number of ways to treat a fungal infection, your doctor is the best person to diagnose and prescribe treatment. If it’s a simple case, you could cure the infection with an application of a product like Ciclopirox Nail Lacquer or Penlac™. Alternatively, you may need to use oral medication such as Terbinafine or Itraconazole. Surgical treatment is another option.
If you do wish to use a salon to pamper yourself, then be selective of the one you choose. In addition to be trained to use the equipment, staff should follow strict hygiene codes such as draining all the water from the foot spa, disinfecting all the spa surfaces used by the previous client and sterilizing all the equipment that’s been used.
Another option is to give yourself an at-home pedicure. There are a number of home foot-spas available to indulge your feet in and most cost the price of a single visit to the salon for a pedicure session. However, if you do not wish to spend on a foot-spa, you could still give yourself luxurious-looking feet by following these simple steps:
1. Wipe off all your previous toe nail polish with a mild remover. Soak your feet for 10 minutes in a foot spa or a tub of warm water. If you like, add a few drops of natural essential oils. Chamomile and lavender have great anti-bacterial properties as do tea tree and clove oil.
2. Pat your feet dry and apply cuticle softener and gently push back cuticles using an orange stick wrapped in cotton. Be sure to be gentle and apply light pressure only.
3. Rub the soles of your feet with a foot brush or pumice stone to slough away any dead and rough skin.
4. Massage your feet with a rich foot cream, taking care to wipe away excess cream and moisture from between the toes. This is where dampness collects and could lead to fungal growth. Wipe off the extra cream from your toenails too.
5. File the edges of your toenails and buff your nails to a smooth shine. Apply a base coat and when it dries, apply polish of your choice from the bottom to the top of your nails in smooth, strong strokes.
6. Wait for the polish to dry before applying a sealant coat to finish off the look.
Additionally, always remember to use a foot brush or pumice stone regularly in the shower or bath to keep your feet soft and smooth. Also, use specially designed foot creams which have additional moisturizers in them. Check your shoes regularly to see that they are not worn or broken. Wear insoles if you must to make them more comfortable. And finally, get rid of shoes that do not fit!
With a little bit of care, you can have your feet pretty and ready for sandals in no time at all.
