Francesca57's Foot Fetish
Sep 10 '00
It all started at a parent's meeting a few years back. I was listening to the principal talking, and my mind started to wander. I looked up at the ceiling, then around to see which parents were in attendance, and then down at the floor. The Mom next to me was wearing a cute pair of sandals, and I zeroed in to take a look. They really were cute, but I noticed her feet too, and they weren't cute at all. Being the end of August, she obviously had worked on her tan that summer, but along with the color came dry, scaly skin. Her heals were gray and cracked, covered with serious callouses. Yuck! I then looked at my own feet. Although not nearly as bad, they weren't exactly stellar. Ewwww, how could I have not done anything about this sooner?
I take meticulous care of my skin, and faithfully get manicures, but when it came to my feet, I just didn't pay that much attention. I made a pedicure appointment the very next morning, and have been pampering my feet ever since.
Why Do My Feet Get So Dry?
The cause of dry skin on our feet is the same as it is for the other parts of our body -- lack of moisture. Simply, if we allow the natural moisture to leave our skin, without replacing it, the result will be dry skin. Our feet have some unique circumstances, though, that make the problem here especially prevalent.
Sweaty, Stinky Feet - Shoved in shoes all day, our feet tend to sweat, accounting for the lovely odor we are so familiar with. But more than the odor, the sweat is pure moisture loss, and the result is dry, moisture-starved skin.
Use and Abuse - No matter where we go, our feet have to take us there. Pounding abuse on our feet, caused by walking or sports, takes its toll. The pounding and use disrupt the skin surface, causing rough, dry skin in the form of callouses.
Bare Feet - Walking with no shoes or socks puts the bottom of your feet in direct contact with the hard surfaces that we walk on all day. Again, the impact of our feet, against these surfaces causes callouses. Perhaps the worst kind of abuse like this is spending time at a pool. Here we are usually walking without shoes on fiery, hot cement, damaging our feet with each step.
How To Avoid Dry Skin
There are some fairly easy steps we can take to keep our feet from being dry, many of which are useful in keeping all of your skin soft and well-hydrated.
Moisturizer - After your morning shower, when your feet are wet and well lubricated, always lightly towel dry and cover with a thick layer of moisturizer. The thicker the better. This locks in the moisture our feet have from the shower, and seals it in.
Soap - Soap tends to dry out the skin. Use only as much as you need, and consider using those that have moisturizers in them, or those that are gentle to the skin.
Water Temperature - Never take a really hot shower or bath. The hotter the water, the more moisture loss you suffer. Use tepid water.
Humidity - If the air in your home is dry, or you live in a very dry climate, it will constantly dry out your skin. Consider a humidifier.
Drink Plenty of Water - Drinking lots of water keeps the skin well hydrated from within.
Suntan Lotion - Remember, feet get sunburned too. Always use suntan lotion on any part of your feet that might get exposed to the sun.
Shoes - Don't walk barefoot a lot. Wear slippers around the house, and some type of sandal when by the pool.
How To Turn Sandpaper into Silk
Every two weeks - Get a pedicure, and if it's offered, get the paraffin treatment. With this, they coat your newly moisturized feet in a coating of hot wax which seals the moisture in. Your feet will be soft for days to come.
Don't forget the red nail polish.
Once Every Other Week - During the week between pedicures, I do a mini one for myself. I soak my feet for about 15 minutes, and then pumice. After which I rinse again and then lightly towel dry. I then use a liquid exfoliant made for the feet, and exfoliate any additional dead skin that is left. No matter how well you take care of your feet, there is always more dead skin to get rid of. I then rinse and towel dry again. I take a thick, heavy moisturizer and apply it thoroughly to my feet, and cover with a pair of white cotton socks. I sleep with them on, and in the morning, I have feet that would rival a baby's. If you don't get pedicures, I would suggest doing this once every week.
Three Times Per Week - After I'm finished showering, but before the water is turned off, I take a pumice stone and gently rub the areas on my feet which are rough, then rinse off the dry skin which has flaked off. This constant attention gets rid of the dead skin so that new, healthy skin can take its place.
Every Day - I always thoroughly cover my feet with moisturizer after every shower, or after a swim.
A Few Times Per Day - I apply hand lotion on a regular basis. I keep it in my desk, in my purse, and in the car. If I stop to do this, and I can get to my feet, I add a little to them also.
Although it might sound time consuming, once part of your regular routine, foot care averages out to just a few extra minutes per day. And once your feet are at their no-wonder-why-that-guy-wanted-to-suck-Fergie's-toes best, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.