For most of us, our relationship with summer is best described as love-hate. Sure, we love the extra sunlight and the abundant opportunities to get together with friends and loved ones. But, there is also a lot that most of us do not necessarily love like the excruciating heat and the toll that the heat and our beloved summer activities take on our skin. Think about your feet, for example. I know that by the end of the summer mine are in desperate need of a good pedicure. But, what if you do not have the time or resources to enjoy such a luxury as often as you need to? Well, have no fear! Follow these 4 easy steps and your feet will be thanking you in no time!
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1)Soak! The best way to begin the healing process is to indulge in a good soak! A soak goes a long way by not only relaxing tightened muscles but also softening any calluses you may have and loosening dead skin cells. There are many pedicure soak products available on the market today designed to maximize the benefits of a soak, but you can also make a simple soak at home using 3 cups of water and 4 cups of milk. If your skin is exceedingly dry, add a couple of teaspoons of olive oil or honey to the soak for added moisture.
Warning! Be sure to exercise caution whenever you prepare a soak! Be sure to test the temperature of the water before placing your feet in it! Once the soak is of an appropriate temperature, kick back and relax for 15 to 20 minutes.
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2) Exfoliate! Once you are done soaking, you will want to exfoliate immediately. This is the best time to exfoliate because dead skin and callouses will be soft, making them easy to remove. For normal feet, a pumice stone should be sufficient for removing the dead skin, but if your feet are in particular need of exfoliation, you may want to use a sugar scrub as well. A sugar scrub will help loosen callouses further before you buff them away with the pumice stone. Like pedicure soaks, there are a plethora of sugar scrubs available at beauty supply stores and drug stores, but you can just as easily make one yourself at home using a half cup of sugar, a quarter cup of olive oil, and a little bit of lemon juice. If you choose to use a sugar scrub, be sure to rinse your feet thoroughly and pat them approximately 80% dry with a towel before using the pumice stone. You do not want to use the pumice stone with the sugar scrub still on your feet. Be sure to rinse and dry your feet thoroughly after buffing them with the pumice stone!
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3) Trim! Trimming your toenails regularly will help keep them in tip-top shape by preventing discoloration and other common nail diseases. When trimming toenails, be sure that your feet are dry and that you cut in a straight line. Be sure that you do not cut them too short, especially around the edges, because this can cause bleeding, infection, and fungus growth.
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4) Moisturize! To reap the benefits of all of your hard work, you will want to keep your feet moisturized. Use an ample amount of your favorite moisturizer and work it into your skin until it is completely absorbed!
For Added Moisture: After applying your moisturizer, apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly on your moisturized skin and massage it into the skin. Leave a thin layer on top of the skin. Then, using plastic wrap or cellophane, wrap your feet so that no skin remains exposed. Sleep with your feet wrapped and then unwrap them in the morning prior to showering. Wash your feet regularly in the shower and re-moisturize them with your favorite lotion afterwards. Voila! Baby smooth feet!
Do you have any tips that you would like to share that are not included on this list?
