With the summer months upon us, most of us are breaking out our sandals and flip flops.
Feet are one of the most neglected parts of the body –until the sun comes out that is. When the summer months arrive, people expect their feet to be in perfect condition, but unfortunately –this isn’t always the case. After spending months in socks and shoes, most feet tend to look a bit worse for wear.
Taking care of your feet is important, not just in the summer months, but year round. Regular foot care can help to prevent fungal infections, and uncomfortable calluses –not to mention, it can help your feet to look, and feel their best. Here are a few steps that you can take to have healthier feet.
- Soak
Soaking your feet for ten to fifteen minutes is important before you start any sort of filing or exfoliating of your feet. A soak will help to soften the skin, and make it easier to clean and trim your feet and nails. Adding some bath salts to a basin of water and then soaking your feet will also help to relax your muscles and give your feet some much needed rest.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliation involves scrubbing your skin to remove the dead cells. This is important for healthy feet, and for keeping them in the best condition possible. Gently scrub your feet with a foot scrub to help remove the rough or dead skin cells.
- File
Once you have dried your feet, you should begin by filing away any corns or calluses that may have appeared. Be careful not to file too hard, and be sure to stop if your feet start to feel uncomfortable. In some cases you may need to see a professional to have the larger calluses or corns removed or trimmed.
- Moisturize
Once you have finished trimming, filing, and exfoliating your feet you can treat them to a moisturizer. Finish your treatment up by applying a heavier moisturizer to your feet to help soften skin, and to prevent the skin from becoming cracked and callused again.
- Toenails
You should also take some time to care for your toenails while you are caring for your feet. Remove any polish that may have been left on for a long period of time. Trim your nails correctly to help prevent ingrown toenails. Remove any dead skin from around the nails, and file the nails so there are no rough edges.
Follow these tips for foot care and you’ll have healthy feet throughout the summer –and all year long!
Image: @aerial_m
Tags: Foot Care, Prevention, Toenail