When I was growing up, my mom always used to say; “As women, we owe it to ourselves to look after our feet properly.” She’d always go on about how to cut toenails correctly, the importance of drying between the toes, and how just a bit of lotion applied in the evening would leave feet soft and smooth come morning. “After all Candice, we spend more that half our life on our feet – we should ensure we care for them so they look good.”
Thanks to mommy dearest, I’ve always taken a keen interest in my feet. My very worst thing in the world (ask anyone who knows me well) has to be cracked heels. Now, I know that cracked heels are associated with diabetes. But, if you don’t suffer from the condition, there really is no excuse for sporting a Parmesan cheese heel!
Dry, cracked heels are the result of wearing sandals or shoes that expose the delicate skin on our feet to the elements. If you don’t moisturise your feet (at least three times a week in summer) or use a pumice stone to get rid of dry skin on the heels, they’ll end up dry, cracked and painful.
Given my obsession with keeping my feet looking fab, I was amped to try the new Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File.
It works to buff away hard skin in minutes, leaving your feet looking smooth and fabulous. It’s super easy to use this battery-operated device that buffs away hard skin on the feet using a foot-friendly Micralumina™ roller. Its rotating action is gentle, but firm enough to buff away rough, hard skin, as you run it over your trouble spots. It’s also ergonomically designed to allow for easy use.
I found it really easy to use. You insert the roller into the device, turn it on and move it gently over any hard or callused skin on the foot, using light to medium pressure. Continue doing this until all the hard, calloused skin has been removed (much like you would use an ordinary foot file). What I like about this device is that if you press too hard, it shuts off automatically. I love how soft and smooth my feet feel after using it.
The Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File retails for R399.99 and the Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File Refill (x2) retails for R149.99. You’ll find it at major retailers and online stores.
I asked Johannesburg based podiatrist, Poly Christodoulou to give us her top tips for caring for the feet.
DO
- When eliminating thick, dead skin build-up, also known as calluses, on the heel, ball and sides of the feet, use a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub. Soak feet in warm water for at least five minutes, and then use the stone, scrub, or foot file to gently smooth calluses and other rough patches.
- When trimming nails, use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. Other tools like manicure scissors or fingernail clippers increase the risk of ingrown toenails because of their small, curved shape. See a podiatrist if you have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails.
- Gently run a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them clean.
- Maintain the proper moisture balance of the skin on your feet by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft. Do this every evening when you get into bed.
- Use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles. If toenails are healthy, you can use nail polish to paint toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.
DON’T
- When having a professional pedicure, never allow your therapist to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. Using a razor can result in permanent damage if used incorrectly and can cause infection if too much skin is removed.
- Don’t round the edges of your toenails as this encourages painful ingrown toenails.
- Emery boards are extremely porous and can trap germs that spread. Because they can’t be sterilized, it’s best not to share nail files with friends.
- Don’t use any sharp tools to clean under nails as they can puncture the skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection.
- Be sure that you don’t leave any moisture between toes. Moist conditions can promote the development of athlete’s foot or a fungal infection.
- Because cuticles serve as a protective barrier against bacteria, don’t ever cut them. Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection.
- If you suffer from thick and discolored toenails, which could be a sign of a fungal infection, don’t apply nail polish to cover up the problem. Nail polish locks out moisture and doesn’t allow the nail bed to “breathe.” Once you fix the underlying issue, then it is safe to paint nails. If the problem persists, be sure to visit your podiatrist.
GIVEAWAY
I have two Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot Files, each valued at R399.99 to giveaway. To enter, leave a comment under this post telling me why you’d like to win one. I’ll choose my favourite two comments as the winners. Please ensure you leave an email address (only I can see it) so I can contact you, should you be one of the winners. I’ll announce the winners names on Friday 24 April.
