Save your soles
Summer can be rough on feet, so here are eight hot ways to give your toes some TLC
1 Book in for a monthly pedicure and, if problems such as a nasty ingrown toenail or corn keep cropping up, it’s time to see a podiatrist. ‘The most common things I see and treat aren’t necessarily unusual concerns – calluses (hard skin), corns, fungal infections and bunions,’ says podiatrist Dina Gohil.
2 It’s a myth that nails need to breathe. They receive their nutrients and oxygen from the blood stream, not the air, but ‘a nail polish hiatus helps to maintain a healthy nail condition and prevents unsightly discoloration,’ says podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez. Don’t dare to go bare? Nails Inc Nailkale Superfood Base Coat will improve strength and texture.
3 Stinky feet? Dina suggests kicking off your shoes and letting them air out as soon as you get home. Change your shoes daily and use an antibacterial shoe spray to stop any nasties festering.
4‘ Never cut straight along the big toe nail,’ advises backstage manicurist Marian Newman. ‘It puts too much stress on the nail plate. Instead, make small gradual snips, using nail clippers or scissors, across the nail, to avoid ingrown nails.’
5 ‘Washing with water dries the skin out, so putting moisture back in is vital,’ says Bastien. Extending your body lotion down to your toes will be beneficial, but for a real hydrating hit, slather your soles in an uber-rich foot cream before bedtime. If your feet tend to be sweaty, enlist talcum powder – it’s great for controlling humidity.’
6 Podiatrist Margaret Dabbs recommends filing feet twice weekly: ‘Work on any dry skin or callus. If it’s particularly rough, try not to spend too long soaking in a bubble bath, as this could cause cracking of the heel.’
7 Don’t be tempted by those acid-infused peeling socks designed to soften up feet, says Bastien: ‘They indiscriminately shed skin, whether old or new. Instead, opt for a layer of a non-abrasive exfoliant, which dissolves only the dead skin cells.’
8 The fifinal touch? ‘Punchy pigments highlight a tan,’ says Marian.