Treat your feet at home

Tag : pedicure slippers

By Agnes Kyotalengerire

Many people neglect their feet thinking that a pedicure isexpensive and can only be done in salons. However, given time andthe necessary accessories, one can do the pedicure in the comfortof ones home without going to the salon.

Aidah Nassali, a beautician and proprietor of Nail Glamour on SpanHouse Building in Kampala says the feet, like the hands, need extracare to look attractive.

Below Nassali gives tips on how to pamper your feet:

-Cut nails short and flat. lScrub your feet with a body scrub toremove dead cells. A tin of body scrub, like Apricot, costs aboutsh5,000 in most beauty shops in Kampala. Alternatively, use apumice stone. These are available in markets at sh500.

-Apply a moisturising cream regularly to keep the feet soft toavoid cracks.

-To prevent foot odour which is caused by perspiration, useodour-control products like foot powder and sprays. These keep thefeet dry and fresh. Foot powder costs between sh5,000 and sh10,000,while foot sprays cost sh10,000 and above. These products areavailable at Body Care on Pioneer Mall and in pharmacies aroundtown.

-Change socks and aerate shoes by exposing them to the sun.Thishelps prevent fungal infections.

-Avoid wearing high heels because they put pressure on the feet.Tight shoes are also dangerous because they cause corns andcalluses. If you must wear high heels, let the heel be broad enoughto support your weight.

-Check your feet regularly. Look at the bottom for red spots, cuts,swellings and corns. If you cannot see the bottom, use a mirror orlet someone help you.

-Visit a professional manicurist once a month to discuss the healthof your feet.

-Do not share shoes and slippers because they spread fungaldiseases.

-To keep blood flowing to your feet, raise them on a stool whilesitting.

-Avoid crossing your feet for long. This cuts off blood fromcirculating in your feet, making them paralysed.

Home pedicure

After a days work, the feet are achy and tired. Below are remediesto revitalise them.

-Put lukewarm water in a basin, add Lander foot soak or fruit bathand willow salt.

-Gently rub foot or body scrub onto the feet and legs to refresh,exfoliate and soften the dry skin.

-Soak the feet for 10 minutes. You can also soak the feet in a footspa.

Apart from softening the feet, the foot spa massages the feet.

-To increase blood circulation to your feet, use the hot and coldtreatment. Dip them in hot water for 10 minutes and then in coldwater for another 10 minutes.

-Remove and scrub the feet dry using a pumice stone.

-Pat dry and apply a moisturising lotion. You can use almond orolive oil. Massage until the oil penetrates the skin.

-For cracked heels, mix a few drops of lemon juice in vaseline andapply on the heels.