Have Flawless Feet

Many people are insecure about the appearance of their feet. As feet are exposed to a lot of day-to-day damage, calluses, rough skin, and other troublesome issues are common. However, with some basic care and maintenance you can have smooth, attractive feet.

Steps

Caring for Your Feet

1. Do foot soaks on a regular basis. Some basic foot care can help your feet look smooth and soft. Doing regular foot soaks can help remove dead skin cells and moisturize your feet.
   • A foot soak should last around 10 minutes. Any longer could leave your feet dry and cracked. Aim for lukewarm water. Water that's too hot or too cold could cause redness and other damage.
   • You can soak your feet in plain water. If you have sensitive skin that tends to react poorly to additives, this might be your best bet. However, adding certain ingredients can help make the foot soak more relaxing and help moisturize and clean your feet.
   • Sea salt, Epsom salt, dried flowers, oatmeal, and essential oils are all great potential additives. Be careful, however, when using essential oils. You have to dilute most oils in a neutralizing substance, such as olive oil, prior to use or it can cause skin irritation.
   • Listerine is a type of mouth wash that some doctors recommend for foot soaks. Mix one part Listerine with two parts warm water. Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes and then apply a moisturizer.
2. Exfoliate. Exfoliating feet is important to having strong, healthy feet. Exfoliation is a process by which dead skin cells are removed. You should exfoliate your feet once a week to keep them looking smooth and soft.
   • There are many ways to exfoliate your feet. You can buy foot creams and gels at department stores that come with micro-beads or other exfoliating agents. Use such creams as directed on the box. However, keep in mind micro-beads have a somewhat bad reputation amongst environmentalists. Beads are not biodegradable and end up causing pollution.
   • Many people get good results making their own exfoliating cream at home. Any grainy substance, such as sea salt or Epsom salt, can be mixed with water or soap and rubbed against the feet.
   • To exfoliate, you rub your cream of choice into your feet. Use enough force to smooth out rough patches and remove dead skin cells. Then, rinse your feet and moisturize.
3. Select proper footwear. A major factor in caring for your feet is selecting the right shoes. Shoes that are too tight can cause calluses, pain, and other damage.
   • Contrary to popular belief, foot size can change over time. Go to shoe store and have your feet measured before selecting shoes. A salesperson can assist you in determining what size shoe would work best for you.
   • Keep in mind most people have one foot that is slightly larger than the other. Select shoe size based on the larger of your two feet. It's better to have shoes that are slightly too loose than shoes that are slightly too tight.
   • When standing, there should be about 3/8" or 1/2" inch, about the width of a finger, between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
   • Walk around in shoes for awhile before making a purchasing decision. Make sure shoes don't chafe or rub in any uncomfortable places.
   • Taking these precautions with your shoes is the main way to prevent issues like corns, calluses, and bunions.
4. Moisturize. Feet encounter a lot of wear and tear in the average day. A lot of oils and moisture is lost through day-to-day walking. Use a moisturizer for your feet on a regular basis. You can use your normal moisturizer or lotion. However, a stronger moisturizer might be required for feet. You can find moisturizers specifically designed for use on feet at a local supermarket or beauty store.
5. Clip your toenails properly. Damages like ingrown toenails can result from improper toenail trimming. Always clip your toenails straight across and then file them to your desired shape. Many people try to build a round toenail shape through clipping the toenails in a certain way but this can cause toenails to bend inward. This can result in ingrown toenails.

Fixing Damage

1. Smooth out calluses and rough skin. Calluses and rough patches of skin are common on feet. There are several ways to address this problem.
   • An electronic callus remover is a handheld motorized device that is used to remove smooth out rough skin and remove calluses from the skin. It requires less effort than other means. However, callus removers can be somewhat price, costing between $20 and $30.
   • If you do not want to spend extra money, a foot file or pumice stone might be a good option. You can use a metal or diamond file to rub out calluses and rough skin. You can use a pumice stone in a similar manner, but some find it to be less effective than other means.
2. Allow blisters to heal. In the event of blisters, your best option is allow them to heal on their own. Trying to cure blisters via removal can cause scarring and, in rare cases, infection.
   • Keep the blister clean and protected throughout the day. Gently wash the blister in the morning with a mild, antibacterial soap. Then apply a band-aid to the blistered area.
   • Blisters need to breathe to heel, so when possible take your shoes and socks off and remove any bandages. You may have to wait until you're home from work or school to do so.
3. Remove stains from toenails. Toe nails sometimes get stained with dirt and debris. It's fairly easy to remove a toenail stain using household items.
   • Toothpaste, whitening strips, and hydrogen peroxide are all effective means of un-staining toenails. Hydrogen peroxide is the best option. Stain a q-tip or cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and gently dab on the stained area. Wait 3 to 5 minutes before washing the peroxide off.
   • If you do not have hydrogen peroxide, you can try the same process using whitening strips or toothpaste. Keep in mind this may be less effective.

Seeking Professional Care

1. Have unusual marks evaluated by a dermatologist. If you notice unusual marks on your feet and under your toenails that do not go away with at home treatments, see a dermatologist. In rare cases, such marks can be a sign of a skin cancer known as melanoma.
   • Melanoma usually occurs in areas of the body heavily exposed to the sun. However, it has been known to appeal under toenails and on the soles of feet. Check these areas on the regular basis for any new moles or unusual changes to the skin.
   • Melanoma usually starts as a normal mole and then changes and becomes cancerous. Moles that are asymmetrical, have irregular or scalloped borders, change in color over time, are larger than {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in diameter, or evolve in color, shape, and size may be a sign of melanoma. If you notice any such moles on your feet, make an appointment with a dermatologist for evaluation.
2. Get pedicures on a regular basis. As stated, feet are exposed to a lot of damage throughout the day. Make regular appointments with a pedicurist for deeper exfoliation and skin renewal treatments. Regular pedicures can help you maintain healthy, attractive feet.
3. See a doctor in the event of foot fungus. Toenail fungus is marked by brittle, thick, misshapen, and yellowish toenails. If you believe you have foot fungus, see a doctor for evaluation and treatment.
   • Your doctor will likely prescribe a round or oral antifungal drugs to treat nail fungus. You usually take these drugs from 6 to 12 weeks. Take any medication your doctor prescribes as directed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for guidance if you have any questions about the medication. Medicated nail polish or nail cream may be prescribed alongside medication depending on the severity of the fungus.
   • In rare cases, your doctor may want to surgically remove a nail if fungus is severe. A new nail will grow in its place, but it may take a long time. You might have to wear protective bandages around your foot as the new nail grows.

Tips

• Polish your toes if you enjoy doing so. This can be a fun way to make your feet feel more attractive to you.

Related Articles

• Keep Feet Clean
• Get Rid of Toe Fungus
• Care for Your Feet and Toenails
• Do a Pedicure

Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by iamvanessae

See also

• Pumice Your Feet
• Heal Dry Cracked Hands
• Shave Dead Skin off Feet
• Care for Your Feet and Toenails
• Remove Corns from Your Toes
• Remove a Stuck Ring
• Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Athlete's Foot
• Get Rid of Cracked Heels Fast
• Get Rid of Corns
• Treat Sweaty Hands

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