We love pampering ourselves after a long day of work. More often than not, when thinking of self-care, we think of cleansing, toning and moisturizing our face. However, very little attention is paid to our feet. If you want to start paying attention to your feet during these self-care moments, here are a few steps to follow to keep your feet healthy.
Morning regimen
Most women agree that footcare is the most overlooked beauty regimen. Corporate footwear and travelling during the day damage your feet extensively, therefore, starting your day by paying special attention to your feet.
Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr Jaishree Sharad, advises that you should apply a good moisturizer on your feet while they are still damp from showering. She also says you should avoid oily moisturizers as your feet will feel greasy all day.
Additionally, choose the right shoes when you go to work. They should be comfortable, especially if you know your day will be filled with travelling.
Nightly routine
During your nighttime routine, wash your feet with lukewarm water and scrub them using a custom-made scrub made from either gram flour or oatmeal. After this, use a pumice stone to rub your feet and dab them with a moisturizer that contains dimethicone, squalane and urea.
This is because urea prevents dryness while simultaneously removing dead skin. Squalane and dimethicone, on the other hand, are rich in super fatty acids. The final step involves wearing socks to keep your skin soft and supple.
Choose the right footwear
Dermatologist Dr Kshama Vibhakar believes that comfort and fashion are incompatible. Therefore, you should just choose footwear that complements your lifestyle. For example, if you are always on your feet, you should wear soft-padded shoes as the pressure is uniformly distributed through your feet. However, if you wear heels, the pressure is concentrated on the forefoot and heels, which leads to the formation of corns, pain and callouses. Heels also cause spur formation, and they greatly affect the calf muscles. Lastly, he adds that faulty footwear is the leading cause of many foot-related problems.
As many women need to wear heels when going to work (as part of an official ensemble), Dr Jaishree advises that they can use in-soles that are readily available in the market. She also adds that women that have dry skin should wear closed footwear while those that are prone to fungal infections should wear open footwear.
Dr Kshama says that a good remedy for foot pain that is caused by travelling is soaking the feet in saltwater. She insists that having a good diet that is rich in fatty acids also helps because they restore moisture in the areas near the feet that dry faster.
Lastly, invest in foot massages once in a while to relieve your feet. You can do this at home by using a good oil or moisturizer and focusing on the heel and sole. There are also different physiotherapy products available in the market. You just need to roll your feet over them to feel comfortable.