Why are some people shy of showing their feet?
Recent research from foot care brand Scholl shows, that 1 in 3 Brits are ashamed of their feet. The nation's most problematic foot conditions are dry/ hard skin, shape, toe nail condition - such as fungal nail, Athlete's Foot and let's don't forget the hairy feet!
Although it's almost comical, the emotional cost of being embarrassed by the feet is often worse.
I hear this all the time! The first thing clients say after getting on the massage bed is: 'I'm so sorry about my feet! I haven't shaved my legs, my nail polish is chipped-as-hell, lack of pedicure... ' The list goes on.
Please, don't be ashamed!
I have seen a lot of feet of all shapes and sizes!
The fact is, our feet can tell us a lot about our health. It's amazing how far our feet can carry us throughout our life. And all those steps will eventually take a toll on our feet.
As we age, our collagen production begins to slow down so physical changes are inevitable. The sweat glands in the feet are less active, causing drier skin, so the older we get, the more we need to pay attention to hydration levels.
Few tips to slow down aging of the feet:
? Wear properly fitted shoes
? Don't wear the same pair of shoes over and over again - rotate several pairs (another reason to go shoe shopping!!)
? Wear fresh pair of socks every day and change them daily
? Wash and dry your feet thoroughly for good hygiene
At the beginning of the Reflexology treatment, I will wipe your feet using either baby wipes, or warm damp flannel. Warm towels help to calm the nervous system and soften the tissue by reducing the tension. This helps to increase circulation to feet and warm up the tissue to make it more workable.
Reflexology is a very therapeutic treatment, and it's meant to be relaxing. I will make sure you feel calm and confident in your own skin.
Do you want to feel pampered and confident in summer sandals? To keep your feet happy and healthy, I can't recommend professional pedicure enough! Ideally scheduled every 4 - 6 weeks to improve the appearance of your feet. A good nail technician will work to exfoliate the feet, address nails, cuticles and relaxing foot massage at the end is just a wonderful bonus...
I'm little obsessed with giving myself that salon experience from the comfort of my own home. It's shockingly easy! I share this with my clients so they can maintain their baby-soft feet between appointments. Don't we all like to make an at-home pedicure to feel like a spa experience?
Now, go around your house and gather every candle you can find!
Here are some at-home foot care suggestions:
? Soak your feet for a few minutes in a basin (a really big bowl filled with a warm water and liberal scoop of bath salts)
? Get rid of any dead skin using foot file or pumice stone and attack those calluses but don't scrub your feet raw!
? Reach for nail clippers to whip your toenails into shape
? Shape the nail corners and edges with a nail file
? Show your cuticles some love and work in a few drops of cuticle oil (cuticles protect your nails from bacteria)
? Massage your feet with rich foot cream - super important to hydrate your feet after all the soaking and scrubbing. I like to put the socks on for the night to let the cream work overnight
And there you have it: a quality foot care in the comfort of your own place!
I hope these suggestions help a little bit. I'm always happy to offer some advice during the initial consultation in my treatment room.