Don’t Let Your Summer Feet Turn Into Winter Feet
Summer canine days are over and we have well-groomed feet. While we (hopefully) take better care of our fagots when they are on display in July flip flops, wedges and mandalas, when we enter the sneaker, slipper and uggs phase, things get worse. With the onset of autumn, it is easy to cover barking dogs with socks and forget about them until spring. Alas, that would be a mistake, otherwise we would want to wake up one cold day, when our sheets are torn to shreds from the hacksaw at the edges of the skin, which settled on our heels.
These cracks, also known as “cracks,” should be noted. Not only is it terrible looking, too dry skin can itch, bleed, make walking painful, and even lead to infections. Here’s how to keep them from turning into dry ravines where you can plant your entire spring cabbage crop.
Stick to a bedtime routine (also known as exfoliation)
When you’re in college at the age of 20, you’re in front of the game; when you’re middle-aged with cracked heels, you’re “bedtime.” To heal your heels, you first need to cleanse the dead skin. Soak your feet in plain or mildly soapy water before touching the hay. Pat dry and exfoliate with a loofah, a foot file (yes, a mini cheese grater), or a pumice stone. Do this several times a week, but not every night, as excessive exfoliation can make your skin too dry and susceptible to calluses.
More daring DIYers can try thiswhite wine vinegar and listerinesoak . (Their acidity and antiseptic properties, respectively, help remove dead skin and cleanse what’s underneath.) And there are more natural home remedies here .
File your heels in one direction
If you’ve ever thought that too much exfoliating motion could be bad for your heels, you are not wrong. Podiatrist Dr. Jacqueline Sutera told Well + Good that too much back and forth motion can make cracks worse. Sutera suggests using a battery-powered foot file , such as the Amope, which files your feet in one direction, preventing them from scrubbing too deep, “down to the skin layers, which can cause infection, pain, increased cracking and scarring.”
Take a warm (not hot) shower
What better way to warm up in a hot shower or bath on a dull, chilling day? (A little, but in heels that don’t hurt to walk, you should probably give up this pleasure.) Hot water cleanses the body of natural oils and moisture. Unfortunately, warm water works best for the whole body, not just the heels.
Moisturize immediately after bathing
The best time to retain moisture and heal your skin is while it is still wet (not soaked). Hydrated skin absorbs the product more easily, while moisturizer creates a barrier to help water stay inside the skin. But in this case, once is not enough. Problematic heels should be moisturized two to three times a day and protected with thin cotton socks.
Use a “winter moisturizer”.
While the hot and humid months require a lighter moisturizer, cold, dry air, and central heat in the fall and winter require a thicker and more moisturizer. However, they are more greasy, so use less and rub in thoroughly. Look for ingredients such as mineral oil, jojoba oil, lanolin, beeswax, paraffin wax, petroleum jelly, coconut oil, shea butter, or glycerin. (They soften skin, replace oils, and retain moisture. Popular brands include Kerasal, Eucerin, Cetaphil, and Aquaphor.) If you don’t like the idea of carrying excess oil onto the floor or bed, wear flip flops or socks around the house until it is completely absorbed.
WebMD suggests “pickling cracked heels in petroleum jelly,” covering them with plastic wrap, and sleeping in your socks until you achieve the results you want.
Use a foot mask or heel sleeve.
If you’re okay with severe flaking of your skin (and some potential residual itching), some rely on this foot mask’s ability to exfoliate the outer layer of your foot, exposing the soft baby skin underneath. (Caveat: If you have sensitive skin, read reviews first.) For a less dramatic option, consider using a moisturizing heel sleeve to get the job done.
Tune in for an autumn pedicure
All this, of course, you can do yourself. But many of you want to consider hitting the reset button with a suitable salon pedicure and investing in additional treatments like callus removal, an exfoliating sugar scrub, or a moisturizing mask to get the colder months strong and give you more motivation to keep them healthy. … the winter is long.