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For the Season: Footloose and Fancy Free – Sandal Ready Feet for Summer
By Aly Wagonseller
They’ve been bundled up for months now, and the time has finally arrived for your feet to come out of winter hiding. Strappy sandals, casual flip flops and barefoot walks in the sand await. But even if you’ve maintained your bi-monthly pedicure, your feet may still need a little TLC.
Confiscate the Callus
Closed toe shoes and heels produce those pesky areas of hard skin known as calluses and corns. Removal can be challenging and time consuming, but well worth the effort for smooth and sexy feet. Start by avoiding shoes that produce friction and pressure on already affected areas. Over a period of approximately two weeks, get into callus removal mode by trying the following regimen before you go to bed:
- Soak feet in warm water with Epsom salts or essential oils for 15-20 minutes.
- Dry feet thoroughly. Using a gentle motion with a pumice stone, remove dead skin from the area. Be careful not to be too aggressive as this can cause irritation.
- Moisturize feet with a thick emollient cream and put on socks to hold in the moisture.
If necessary, wear protective pads that cushion corns from shoe friction, but be careful using over the counter callus and corn softeners that contain salicylic acid. Although effective, these can irritate skin and cause infection if not used properly. If you are diabetic, see your doctor.
Big Bad Bunions
A bunion is a common condition associated with a prominent bump on the inside of the forefoot where the big toe connects to the foot. Women are ten times more likely than men to develop bunions because of high heels, but the condition also runs in families and increases in size over time.
“Bunions are a big problem,” according to Troy Watson, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult foot and ankle reconstructive surgery at Desert Orthopaedic Center and founder of the Foot and Ankle Institute. “This deformity isn’t pretty and can cause a great deal of pain.” But while bunions don’t look fashionable, Dr. Watson believes that surgery should never be performed for cosmetic reasons only. Instead, Dr. Watson recommends the following options for combating the pain bunions present:
- Choose comfortable, soft shoes with a wide toe box.
- Get fitted for a soft arch support.
- Investigate slings that take the pressure off the second toe. Many of these are in flesh-tone colors to help camouflage the bunion while providing relief.
A variety of shoe manufacturers including Naturalizer, Nava, Aerosoles and Ros Hommerson are dedicated to supplying comfortable shoes with style, making suffering in the name of fashion a thing of the past. For more foot care advice from Dr. Watson, visit www.feetmd.com.
Pedicure Protection
Pedis are so much more than a cosmetic procedure. Investing in a bi-monthly pedicure is a surefire way to keep ingrown nails and calluses at bay while sporting toes in living color. Still, it’s important to entrust your tootsies to sanitary practices to avoid damaging fungus and infection. Asking your salon how they clean their instruments and bowls should never be a problem. Things to look for include:
- Bowls that are cleaned with a hospital-grade, EPA registered disinfectant between every procedure.
- Stainless steel tools that are sterilized in an autoclave chamber. Remember, just because tools are pulled from a jar of blue liquid does not mean they are sterilized.
- Brand new emery boards and nail buffers that are sealed and opened just prior to use. These items should never be reused.
Never let a pedicurist use a credo or razor blade on your feet and be sure to speak up if the operator is too rough or if the procedure is hurting. For added protection, purchase your own tools and sanitizing agents and bring them along to your appointment. Locally owned company PediPack.com has super cute kits that contain eleven professional implements in a convenient roll-up pouch. They make great gifts too!
Forget about the weight of the world on your shoulders! Our feet are the true, unsung heroes on our body. By treating them right all year long, you’ll be ready to show them off in style this summer season.
