7 Tips for your Happy Summer Feet
Gone are the days of harsh chilly winters wherein you had to hide your beautiful feet under layers of woollen socks and whatnot!
Welcome summers with open arms (and feet) and get ready to post cute pictures of your happy feet with pastel nail paints, toe rings and modern delicate anklets! But, to do all that jazz, you need to ensure that you do not take your feet for granted. Your feet do a lot of work but unfortunately, you shower them with very little praise and pampering. So this summer, don't be guilty of ignoring your feet.
Now, if you are wondering why you should indulge in special foot care, let us bring to your notice that summers are harsh anyway. The extremely dry weather, the scorching heat, the UV rays - all of them can wreak havoc. Also, we know that you are already getting excited about the pool season, but this can also damage your feet' health. Excessive sweating also acts as a perfect playground for many types of infection-causing bacteria.
But worry not, we have made a list of a few tips that will help you achieve flawless and happy feet this summer:
Keep them clean!
First and foremost, just like the rest of your body, your feet also need a good everyday cleaning! While washing your feet with soap twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening after you return from work) should be religiously practised, it is also important to exfoliate them regularly. This is because the washing will keep the germs and odour away, and exfoliation will help eliminate dead skin cells and calluses. Exfoliation also helps in evening the skin tone and gets rid of roughness. So, pick up a pumice stone after a shower and gently buff away the dead skin.
Additionally, make sure that you trim your nails. They make your feet look nasty.
Lastly, do not forget to massage your feet with a rich moisturizer as a post-bath ritual. That's right! Even your feet need to be moisturized during the summers. This will help prevent cracked heels and keep your feet feeling smooth.
Don't forget the sunscreen!
Face, shoulders, arms, neck and even tips of your ears - you remembered to put sunscreen everywhere! Then why did you leave your feet out?
Your ankles and tops of your feet are not immune to the harmful rays of the sun. Therefore, they need to be protected, so you must apply sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more to help prevent sunburn, premature ageing or tanning. Remember to reapply it every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. It's one of the most important foot care products you should never forget.
Wear the right footwear
While wearing flip-flops is very tempting, trust us, you are better off choosing well-fitting shoes that properly support you. This will help prevent the injuries and limit direct exposure to infection-causing bacteria. Wear shoes that properly support you and keep your feet and toes protected. Fully covered shoes will also act as a shield against harmful UV rays. If you must wear flip-flops, choose styles with a good arch and avoid wearing them for long distances.
Drink plenty of water
We are sure you have heard this a million times! Long hot summer days drain your body and leave it dehydrated. Believe it or not but your feet also suffer the consequences. Your body gets deprived of fluids. Hence, drink plenty of water during the hottest part of the day as it will help flush out the toxins that can sometimes accumulate in the feet. You can count on water-rich foods to stay hydrated if you are sick of plain water.
Let them air out!
While keeping your feet covered is important, giving them breathing room is also important. You can switch between open-toed shoes or sandals and even try taking shoes off every once in a while throughout the day to keep your feet happy & dry.
Pamper your feet with some Pedi
Give your feet a treat! A nice pedicure once a month will help remove dead, flaky skin cells and make them look much better. You don't even need to go to a parlour to get it done. Just grab a pumice stone and order any Pedi kit online. This will help your toes look and feel amazing.
Inspect them regularly.
Last but not least, keep a check on your feet! Look at your feet, heels and ankles for any cuts and scrapes, especially if you have diabetes. Also, don't forget to check your toenails for signs of ingrown nails, fungal infections or athlete's foot.
In the end, remember that your feet keep you moving. So follow these simple tips and invest in good foot care products to keep them happy and dancing!