Get happy feet this summer

Beauty expert and entrepreneur Bharti Taneja has one advice for everyone: “Treat your feet as carefully as you treat your face. After all, they carry all your weight and thus, deserve all the pampering.” The reason for this tip is simply because the summer season is upon us and it’s time for sandals and slip-ons – a good enough reason to pencil in that pedicure. And now you can go beyond the regular scrub-slough-slather routine. Taneja roots for a sole-soothing paraffin pedicure where you dip your tootsies in melted paraffin wax for 20 minutes. “It helps in deep healing (especially for cracked heels) and makes your feet super soft,” she mentions.
NEW AND IMPROVED
Pedicures have come a long way, insists Mahema Bharadwaj who has co-founded a spa centred on manicures and pedicures. “There has been an increasing trend of luxe services like spa pedicures which have a more relaxed and luxurious approach,” she says. A spa pedicure is customised in accordance to the skin type, foot problems and needs of the person and is usually for an hour. The focus is more towards a holistic pedicure routine that leaves you with happy feet and also a happy head! Bharadwaj explains, “The fundamental routine remains the same but we always take the condition of nails, toes and skin in consideration to focus on areas that need special attention.” What also changes are the products used.

What you can also give a whirl is the tea tree pedicure where feet are scrubbed and softened with a sugar scrub infused with tea tree oil. The oil is supposed to have antiseptic, anti-wrinkle and revitalising properties. The pedicure is finished using vitamin A & E serum capsules that help keep the happy feet feeling going. Taneja mentions that even with the new options available now, a normal pedicure will stay on as it’s easily affordable. “But ask for add-on services like the use of aromatic oils, using almond oil for massage, foot facial and deep massage of legs,” she says. If you like painted nails but too lazy to take off and re-apply, Taneja suggests permanent nail paint or nail art (stays for close to two months) to get Insta-perfect feet.

THINK ON YOUR FEET
Bengaluru-based dermatologist Dr Shuba Dharmana swears by regular foot scrubs at home done with DIY exfoliating gels and filing your own nails as a more hygienic footcare regimen than salon procedures. “If you go for salon procedures, make sure your salon follows sterility measures with pedicure tools. If not sterilised well it can spread fungal infections and warts,” she says.

What else to avoid? Dharmana advises against bleach for feet, products with fragrances, not clipping nails too close to the skin and if you have nail disease, avoiding fancy nail treatments such as gel polishes. Bharadwaj suggests once-a-month pedicures, especially for those who wear open sandals. Also Dharmana says feet should be kept dry. And next time, step out in style.

How to get HAPPY FEET

• Maintain basic foot hygiene like changing socks daily, wearing clean shoes, airing your toes and drying them
• Keep feet and cuticles moisturised with appropriate creams and oils
• Wear sunscreen on your feet too to avoid tan lines
• Do a weekly warm-water soak with a little salt and shampoo. Add a few drops of aromatic oil to it for a spa-like feel. Finish with a hydrating foot cream or oil
• Exfoliate your feet in the shower using a pumice stone or wooden scraper paying extra attention to callouses and hard spots

PEDICURE 101
What you should do

• Wear relaxed clothing
• Ensure the salon’s hygiene standards are good
• The pedicurist must sanitise his/her hands
• Inform the technician if you have existing condition like toe fungus, ingrown nails or diabetes etc.
• Fix your appointment when you have a good amount of time so that you can enjoy this ‘me-time’
• Don’t shave/wax your legs at least two days prior as it leaves your skin susceptible to infections
• Make sure your feet doesn’t have any cuts or open wounds
• If you wear open-toed sandals, schedule a pedicure once a month
• Don’t bleach without skin testing

Avoid pedicures, if you have...

• Skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, or rashes
• An open wound
• Diabetes
• Nail disease