don’t FALL out of your pedicure schedule

Just because autumn is upon us and your feet will soon be bundled up, does not mean that you don’t need to get regular pedicures. Pedicures not only enhance your personal appearance, but they improve basic foot comfort and help with foot and toe health. When feet are confined in closed-toe shoes, they can suffer from dryness, cracking, fatigue and cramping. Also, some individuals feet tend to sweat; therefore, causing the skin to peel and potentially develop a bacterial or fungal infection. The steps of safely cleaning under and around toenails can help clean any debris and skin that bacteria and fungus like to attach to. In addition, the processes of soaking, exfoliating, and massaging the feet during a pedicure, are done to soften and sanitize; remove and smooth dry, flaky, and callused skin; and to lubricate moisturize, and invigorate the skin, respectively.

      

Remember that your feet are in daily use and they need routine maintenance all year long. So schedule your biweekly or monthly pedicures in advance for the fall and winter months to keep feet healthy and happy!    

Hello Fall

Fall has graced us with its presence and before you know it, winter will be here. As many of you know, the cold, dry weather can wreak havoc on your skin, especially your hands and feet, causing them to become dry, cracked, and flaky. One way to combat this problem is to keep your hands and cuticles moisturized. There are many products on the market but there are some natural products that I recommend which are:

100% PURE & NATURAL SHEA BUTTER / SHEA INFUSED SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter is an all-natural vitamin A cream that serves as a superb moisturizer with excellent healing properties for the skin. The moisturizers in shea butter are the same moisturizers produced by the sebaceous (sweat) glands in the skin. Some body’s sebaceous glands produce more while other produce less. Shea butter is great for use on all skin types with all types of skin conditions. I also know first hand that it promotes and accelerates wound healing and soothes dry itchy skin.

Hands, Feet, Body
You can use shea butter as a total body moisturizers and on hands and feet throughout the day. For advanced moisturizing of the hands and feet, put on cotton gloves or socks after application.

OLIVE OIL
Olive oil is a natural product that can serve as a great hydrator to regenerate and soften the skin. It also hydrates and strengthens nails.

Hands, Feet
To obtain and/or maintain soft and smooth hands and feet, apply a generous amount of olive oil after your shower or bath and cover them with cotton gloves and socks. This could be done daily or several times a week.

Nails
If you have dry and brittle nails, you should soak them in a small cup of olive oil. This could be done several times a week to not only strengthen nails and soften cuticles, but to make nails shiny and healthy.

ALMOND OIL
Almond oil is a light, non-greasy oil that is great for nourishing the skin. It also contains strong concentrations of Vitamin E. Because of its non-greasy nature, it is easily absorbed into the skin. It has soothing, healing, lubricating, softening, revitalizing, and nourishing properties. It is also rich in minerals, vitamins, and proteins; therefore, it is excellent for sensitive or irritated skin. I do not recommended the use of almond oil if you normally have nut allergies in food.

Hands and Feet
You could use the same suggestions of use given above in the olive oil section. It can also be used as a total body moisturizer.

Body
Apply and rub into skin after your shower or bath.


Feel free to share your thoughts regarding my suggestions above as a comment to this blog entry. Also if you have any suggestions of all natural products for healthy hands and feet, feel free to share with Simply Beautiful blog readers.

Ashley asks…

"I use shea butter to keep my hands from getting extremely dry. However, the cracks of my hand are sometimes still a bit ashy. Is there anything that I can use that will prevent my hands from becoming dry?"

Great question Ashley! Many people have this problem and there are a number of ways in which you can treat and prevent dry hands.

1. You should get a manicure and ask for a spa manicure. Spa manicures include an exfoliation treatment that a standard manicure does not. Exfoliation helps to remove dry dead skin, and softens the hands.

2. I also recommend that you get a paraffin wax treatment. This is often an add-on service. A paraffin wax treatment increases blood circulation, softens and moisturizes the skin, and rejuvenates dry skin. If you have impaired circulation, or skin irritations such as cuts, burns, rashes, warts, eczema, or swollen veins, you may want to avoid getting the paraffin wax treatment.

3. At home before bedtime, you can apply shea butter, Vaseline, or a rich -moisturizer of your choice and immediately slip on cotton gloves to lock in moisture over night. If you are interested in purchasing some cotton gloves, please email me.

4. Olive Oil can also be used as a moisturizer. More than likely you have it in your pantry and it’s all-natural. Just massage into skin and BAM!

5. You can also exfoliate at home. One product I suggest is the Satin Hands pampering set by Mary Kay. The Satin Hands kit includes the Satin Smoothie Scrub, which cleanses and exfoliates; the Extra Emollient Night Cream; and the Satin Hands Hand Cream, which conditions and moisturizes. If you are interested in purchasing this product, feel free to contact me - I am also a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant :)

Be consistent with your moisturizing routine and be sure to get in between the fingers and toes when doing so.

Don’t forget to post your comments or questions to the blog posts.

Why should I care about keeping my nails, hands and feet groomed?

Have you ever paid attention to someone’s hands or feet and thought something like “How could they have the audacity to walk around looking like that?” It’s the truth right? But the main reason why many individuals walk around with issues like dry hands, skin build-up on their feet, and long discolored thickened toenails, is because they are not educated on the importance of nail and skin care.

Keeping well-groomed nails, hands, and feet, should be a part of your daily hygiene regimen. This goes for both men and women. Frequent manicures, pedicures, moisturizing, exfoliation, and a well balanced diet, will help keep your nails and skin healthy and simply beautiful. You know how good you feel when you get your hair done or cut, when you have on a new outfit, pair of shoes, perfume or cologne? Well having and maintaining nicely manicured hands and pedicured feet will make you feel good as well because it enhances your personal appearance.

Nails are also a prime source for the transmission of macro and microscopic organisms, toxins, and irritants, as well. In addition to bathing, washing your hands periodically throughout the day with antibacterial soap, using hand sanitizer, and even using antibacterial lotion are ways in which you can limit the amount of bacteria your nails harbor and transmit. When washing your hands, you need to make sure to wash under your nails free-edge and around the cuticle area. These are places where bacteria like to camp out. If you have a nailbrush handy, or even an extra toothbrush, you could use it to scrub around and under your nails when washing. When bathing, be sure to wash in between toes and under toenails and make sure your feet are completely dry before placing them in slippers or closed toe shoes. Fungi like to grow in dark, damp and moist places.

I hope today’s entry helps you to understand why it is important to keep your nails, hands, and feet well groomed!

Welcome

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to my blog!

Throughout the week, I will share tips about how you can maintain your manicured hands and pedicured feet. I will also share why it is imperative to take care of your hands and feet and some possible effects on your health if you don’t. In addition, I’ll share information about products that can be used in order to keep your hands and feet healthy and looking good. I am by no means a doctor, but I am a licensed professional nail technician, who has years of education and experience.

Elegantly Yours, Leah