By Michelby Whitehead
If you’ve ever skipped out on open-toe shoes even though the outfit called for it, or avoided a relaxing — and very much desired — foot rub offered by Bae due to fears of giving him nightmares, it’s time to start taking some responsibility for your foot care! Pedicures rock, and we manage to keep our appointments all summer long, but what happens when the seasons change? Out of sight, out of mind, right?! Nah, girl. Our tootsies need TLC all year long, especially in the chillier months. Here’s how to take care of your feet, no matter the weather:
Shape Up Your Nails
Keep toenails cut straight across, just in line with the end of the toe, and never round them at the corners. Cut them as short as you can without irritating or cutting into your skin. Unlike fingernails, length should never be the goal. To avoid the nails becoming ingrown, file straight across with a crystal nail file. This also prevents snagging your socks and stockings.
Soak & Exfoliate
Some experts would suggest that you use a foot file on dry skin. However, soaking feet first does not make the skin “rubbery” by default. If your feet are indeed rubbery after soaking in warm water, it’s because you have lots of dead skin!
For corns and calluses, avoid using blades to remove old skin. Gadgets like old school pumice stones or new school Ped Eggs are great ways to slough ancient skin off the feet and cost anywhere from $4 to $17 at retail stores. Dollar Tree also has a knock-off Ped Egg that gets the job done just as well.
Moisturize
You can save yourself a lot of time and embarrassment in between pedicure visits just by lubricating your feet daily. Slathering on a rich, moisturizing balm or oil will do the trick, but you should also seal the moisture with vaseline to make it last. When lotioning the body, one can forget about the feet; however, once heels begin to crack, repairing them can be even tougher. Prevention is key.
Wear Socks or Slippers at Home
You’re careful about going barefoot outdoors, so keep that same energy when you’re lounging inside your home. Walking barefoot on wooden and ceramic floors not only roughens the skin but also makes your feet dirtier. When you have to work harder to clean your feet, you are stripping even more moisture from them.
How do you protect your feet?
Photo by Billie on Unsplash
Caring for Your Feet in Between Pedicures
