The UK’s weather has had us on absolute rollercoaster ride of late – but now the school summer holidays are here, it’s time to embrace the outdoor life, whatever the weather! And, whether you’re planning to hop on a flight to seek the sun, taking a staycation, or your diary is full of festivals, weddings and garden gatherings – you’ll want to look and feel your best, from head to toe!
But, if the thought of going barefoot on the beach or slipping into sandals is filling you with dread, you might need to give your ‘Summer feet’ a boost. We’ve teamed up with podiatrist Molly Chilvers BS.c MRCPod and brand ambassador for Footmender®All inOne to answer your top 5 Summer footcare questions.
- I haven’t got time to go for a pedicure before my holiday – help! What can I do?
Don’t panic, you’ve got plenty of time for some at-home footcare TLC! In terms of treating the skin on your feet, there are many high-quality products you can buy in pharmacy or online which will help get your feet back on track. Try to maintain regular good hygiene for your feet at home such as washing and drying them thoroughly, checking them frequently for any problems such as calluses or corns, cutting the toenails carefully and properly and use a foot cream specially formulated for your feet.
For example, Footmender® All in One contains six active ingredients and is developed to treat, heal and restore the skin on your feet. This medical device product replaces former treatments for dry feet, calluses, corns and cracked heels, treating all these ailments simultaneously. Treatment is therefore easier and less costly, as you only need one daily treatment and do not have to buy multiple products to treat your feet. You will see an effect within a few days, often after the very first treatment.
- The skin on my heels is dry and cracked – and strappy sandals are a must for my wedding outfit at the weekend, help!
The most common causes of cracked heels are dry skin and dehydration. Then, as we walk and pressure is applied to the foot, the dryness causes cracks which can be superficial or deep. We expose our feet to a variety of stresses in terms of standing, walking, exercising and we do not always wear comfortable shoes. If the skin on the feet is also dry and therefore less elastic, slight cracks occur as the skin cannot stretch to allow the heel to expand slightly when it is subjected to pressure and stress.
To keep the skin on our feet supple and soft, you really need to a foot cream, specially formulated for dry and callused feet, and not just a regular body lotion. I recommend that clients use Footmender® All in One once a day until the desired result is achieved. This clinically proven solution supports the feet in multiple ways including; an exfoliating action with the ability to remove dead skin cells, binding and retaining moisture in the skin, reducing skin sensitivity and slowing the release of water, stabilising skin cell renewal and helping the skin to regain its natural protective function, stimulating the healing of cracked skin and acting as a skin softener and moisturiser, as well as strengthening the skin’s barrier effect and restoring the natural elasticity of the feet’s skin.
- I’ve got so much “body prep” to do before my holiday, I don’t have time for my feet!
If you’re on a countdown to a special occasion or you’ve booked a last-minute get-away and plan to have your feet on show, then there’s now an all-in-one solution, which replaces the need for foot baths, foot files, exfoliating socks and myriad creams for treating your dry feet, hard skin, corns and cracked heels. Simply use Footmender® All in One once a day until the desired result is achieved. After just one treatment you can often see a visible improvement, and with each subsequent day of treatment you will see an improvement. When the desired results have been achieved, maintenance is recommended, using the product only once or twice a week.
- Any advice on the best shoes to wear this Summer?
Size really can matter! Wearing a shoe that is too big or too small can cause damage to your feet and put more strain on your soft tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other structures on your body. It can cause skin conditions such as blisters, callus, corns, and contribute to ingrowing nails and bunions. The best shoes for your feet are the ones that fit comfortably in every dimension, depth, width and length according to your foot shape. Footwear that supports your ankle and midfoot when you walk or run, and shoes that are breathable, will help to maintain a healthy environment for your feet. Shoes that are too small or too big can cause both pressure and friction which can then lead to problems for your feet.
- We’re going on a beach break this school holidays, do I need to put sunscreen on my feet?
Yes! It’s important to apply sunscreen to the feet. Feet are just like any other part of the body and require protecting from harmful UV rays. Plus, with our feet often exposed for long periods of time in sandals or flip flops, they’re often overlooked. But, the skin on the soles of the feet can be very sensitive and tender, meaning they can burn easily, so it’s always best to apply sun protection from head to toe!