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pedicure
Tired of running to the nail
salon every two weeks to get a pedicure? Follow
these steps and do it yourself!
- Foot spa day. Invest in
a foot spa, which can be found at drugstores.
Don't fret if you don't have one though...a large
bowl will work. Fill the foot spa with warm water
and add a dose of your favorite bath soak. Soak
feet for ten to fifteen minutes to ease tension
and improve circulation.
- Dry and massage. Dry feet
thoroughly, especially between toes and massage
the feet and ankles with a cooling menthol and
camphor gel to improve circulation. Look for products
with arnica and birch, two ingredients recognized
for reducing swelling and relieving pain and discomfort.
- Treat calluses. To keep
feet free from dry skin and calluses, use a foot
file or pumice stone around the heels and balls
of the feet after soaking.
- Moisturize. Moisturize
feet every night before bed with a rich moisturizing
lotion or nourishing oil, which hydrates both
the skin and cuticles.
- Cut with care. When treating
the toe nails, always cut them straight across
and not too short to prevent in-grown nails. If
you do have an in-grown nail see your podiatrist;
do not attempt to dig into the corners of the
nails or cut down the side.
- Push back cuticles. Rub
cuticle remover into the cuticles and gently push
back the cuticle with a rubber ended hoof stick
or orange wood stick wrapped in cotton. When pushing
back the cuticles make sure to soak the feet first
to soften the skin and push back gently. Pushing
too hard on the base of the nail (the nail matrix)
can cause permanent damage and ridging in the
nails. Do not be tempted to cut the cuticles,
as this makes them more raggedy and look worse
in the long run.
- Buff. Ridging in the
nail is usually caused by trauma to the nail matrix,
often the ridges will grow out but if the trauma
is severe the nail may be permanently ridged.
To reduce the appearance of ridging use a buffing
paste and soft buffer twice a week to improve
smoothness and shine. Buffing the nails is great
for nail health as it improves the circulation,
as well as leaves the nails beautifully shiny.
- Paint. Paint nails with
a base coat, two layers of polish, and then a
top coat. Use toe separators to ensure polish
doesn't smudge.
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