You probably spent a lot of time thinking about how to pamper yourself before anyone else could see. It’s also likely that in the process of coming up with ideas, you also realized that you spend so much time stressing about what others see from above and not enough thought on what they can’t see from below. But why? Because we spend so much time focusing on what others can see from above, we forget to take care of something that is almost always hidden. On top of having the most nerve endings in the entire body and being prone to sweating, feet are also quite dirty. Whether you have inherited this gene or simply because everyone has it, sweaty feet tend to attract dirt and bacteria very easily. When left untreated, they can even become prone to fungal infections. So while a pedicure might be one of those things people think about when they talk about pampering themselves but not necessarily something we think about frequently in our day-to-day life, there are actually many good reasons why you should get one more often than not.
How Often Should You Get a Pedicure
There is no definitive answer to how often you should get a pedicure. However, most experts recommend getting one every four to six weeks. This will help to prevent your nails from becoming too dry or brittle and will also help to keep your feet looking their best.
How To Do Pedicures By Yourself?
- If you are going to get a pedicure, make sure you take a shower before. This will help to remove the dirt and grime that can get into your feet and make them even more prone to infection.
- Once you have taken a shower, apply an antiseptic lotion or gel on your feet before getting the toes done. This will help to prevent infections from getting into your nail beds or cuticles.
- Choose a pedicure set that is suitable for the type of foot you have (whether it is flat, arched, or high). This will help to make sure that all parts of your feet are covered by lotion and polish without it dripping down onto anything other than what is supposed to be there in the first place.
- After removing any dry skin with a scrub brush, apply some moisturizer on your feet and let it sit for about five minutes before applying any polish on top of it. Apply two coats after this and allow at least two hours for them to dry completely before walking around barefoot again or putting on socks or shoes again.
- If you are not used to doing pedicures by yourself, consider getting someone else in the house who can help with this process if possible as well as other household chores like cleaning up after yourself while you’re at it so that they don’t end up taking care of everything while they are busy doing something else all day long.
Tips For Keeping Your Feet Looking Good
1. Check your feet regularly
One important aspect of keeping your feet in top condition is to check them regularly for any problems you might have missed. While it is a good idea to do this even if you have perfectly healthy feet, it is especially important if you have diabetes. Sweaty, moist environments tend to be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, including the most common foot fungus, dermatophytes. This means that if you have diabetes, you may not be able to see any signs of infection until it has already become pretty severe. Signs that you may have an infection include itching, redness, swelling, and maybe even a little bit of discharge.
2. Brush and exfoliate your feet
Once you have checked your feet for problems, it is time to give them a good clean. Pawpaw Foot Scrub and Exfoliant is a great product for this. It is made from all-natural ingredients, including papaya extract, which gently buffs your skin, removing built-up dead skin cells and any trapped dirt. Pawpaw Foot Scrub and Exfoliant also moisturizes your skin and smells amazing too. After cleaning, you can massage your feet with some Pawpaw Foot Balm. This helps bring blood flow to your feet, which encourages the growth of healthy new skin cells.
3. Always wear shoes that fit
A pedicure is a great time to get your feet measured and fitted for some new shoes, or even insoles if you’re lucky enough to have a local cobbler you can go to instead of a big chain store. Shoes that don’t fit properly can cause a lot of problems for your feet, especially if you are on your feet a lot. Poor-fitting shoes can increase the chance of your feet sweating excessively, which can lead to infections. Another problem caused by ill-fitting shoes is that they can cause bunions to develop. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and they happen when your big toe pushes against the end of your shoe and changes the shape of your foot.
4. Don’t soak your feet too long
While it is true that your feet will be very clean during a pedicure, it is important not to soak your feet too long during one. Yes, you might think that it is alright to soak your feet for a long time because your feet are supposed to be clean. However, your skin is porous. What this means is that it is difficult for your skin to “breathe”, meaning that anything that is in contact with your skin can actually get into your body through it. This is especially true for people who have diabetes. What this means is that any bacteria that you get on your feet in the salon and don’t wash off, can be transferred to your bloodstream when you soak your feet too long.
5. Get a dry foot massage
If you want to get the most out of your pedicure, you should try and book one that comes with a dry foot massage. During a foot massage, the therapist will usually apply a little bit of oil to their hands. They then use this oil to massage your feet and break down any scar tissue or hard skin that may have built up there. After the massage, they will use a pumice stone to gently buff away any dead skin. This is great for helping to get rid of any calluses on your feet, which can be very painful. As well as getting rid of dead skin and calluses, the dry foot massage is a great way to relax. Some spa services go even further, offering a hot stone foot massage, which is sure to leave you feeling totally relaxed and refreshed.
6. Use foot care products on dry feet only.
Like with any other part of your body, it is important to use the right products on your feet. For example, if you have extremely dry and cracked feet, you should use a moisturizing foot cream or a foot balm with shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil. For normal feet, you should use a foot cream with salicylic acid or benzoic acid in it to take care of all the dryness. If you have very sensitive feet, you should use a foot cream with aloe vera and beeswax. If you have very oily feet, you should use foot powder with peppermint and tea tree oil. And if you have stinky feet, you should use a foot deodorizer with activated charcoal, tea tree oil, and peppermint.
Conclusion
A pedicure is a great way to pamper yourself and keep your feet in good condition. It is important to find a salon that you feel comfortable in and that provides good quality services. You should bring your own tools to a salon, such as a nail clipper, foot file, and a cuticle pusher. You can also pamper your feet at home with foot spas and foot care products like Pawpaw Foot Balm and Exfoliant.
