Summer is here again and it is the time when we bare all. Our feet finally come out of their cosy socks and tights and are revealed to the world..So what does that mean?? We need to make sure they are groomed to perfection.
Have a look around you…. men in flip-flops and women in strappy heels, all of whom seem blissfully unaware that their toes and heels are in desperate need of medical attention. You may think that toe nails that look like crumbling cheddar cheese are normal, and doesn’t everyone has cracked heels, and do not get me started about corns and calluses. There are simple home treatments and methods of foot care that should mean you stay out of a beautician’s salon... The added bonus is gorgeous healthy feet that are ready to bare in the warm weather.
Nails - Regular Upkeep is Essential
Healthy feet do not necessarily need to be perfectly shaped. However, the nails should be slightly paler than your skin colour and have a natural sheen – not shiny, but not matt. They should be clean with no patches of discoloration, and not be thick, splitting, or curled in. Keep them trimmed regularly as overly long toenails are prone to getting caught on things and fungus can build up under the nail, infecting the nail itself. Use toenail clippers to keep them short and file rough edges. After trimming, use Scholl Nail Brightening System. It is a gentle and easy way to care, condition and treat discoloured toe nails caused by nail varnish or thickening of the nail. It can be used as a base coat with nail varnish & prevents nail varnish from staining the nail.
Invest in Antifungals
If toenails are yellowed, discoloured or thickened this may be a sign they have become infected with a slow-growing fungus. Use Scholl Fungal Nail treatment. This discrete, easy to use treatment has been specially formulated to penetrate into the nail to kill nail fungus at its source. It also helps to prevent the spread of the fungus and protects against recurrence. It is an effective, caring solution for mild fungal nail infections.
Scrub and Rub Daily
Keeping feet clean throughout the summer months is central to good foot care. My mantra is to scrub feet daily, with Scholl Pumice stone and hot soapy water. Dislodging dirt and grime and then applying a good moisturising foot cream – Hard skin forms due to overloading and pressure areas. Also known as calluses, they can be painful and need expert gentle paring away. Keeping the heel area scrubbed and moisturised is a great and easy way to keep potentially painful heel cracks at bay.
To keep hard skin at bay use Scholl Hard Skin Softening Cream. It contains salicylic and lactic acid and this will reduce hard skin and callus in 7 days. Apply daily directly to the areas of hard skin and rub in. For best results regularly use. As a moisturiser use daily Dry Skin Daily Moisturiser. Its special formula actually breaks down the bonds between stubborn hard skin cells & helps them to loosen & shed, whilst plumping up the skin beneath to reveal soft, supple feet. One good trick is to take this to the beach with you and use it after you swim.
Try an Antiperspirant
It is estimated that the sweat glands on feet can produce up to a half pint of fluid a day in hot conditions. Use Scholl Foot Odour Control or Scholl Deo Active Spray. The Deo Active Spray is a foot spray formulated with Aseptic enhanced oxygen active that delivers instant deodorising effect and long lasting freshness. Instantly refreshes. It limits the growth of bacteria that cause foot odour for up to 24 hours. It is quick drying, non greasy, non sticky and leaves no residue. Its size makes it easier to carry it around with you in your bag.
For hot, tired feet that have the potential to spoil a lovely summer’s day outing, remember to wear a shoe a half size bigger than normal as feet swell during the hotter months and need the extra space.
Also choose shoes and sandals with insoles that absorb perspiration as sweaty feet can slip and slide within shoes which are a recipe for painful blisters. If you do get a blister then never de-roof it. Keeping some blister pads (Scholl Assorted plasters) in your purse or wallet is a great idea as blisters can strike even the best prepared feet and make walking miserable.
Enjoy summer and take care of two very important assets — your feet.