Did you know that everyday an average person strains his/her feet for hours during exercise, walking and even when just standing still?For women's dainty feet, it's an all the more ‘painful' scenario! Their love for all styles of high heels and funky flip flops leaves the poor feet with little hope.
One look at Victoria Beckham's bunions is enough to have one running to the nearest podiatrist! While high heels lead to painful heels, calves and back problems in the long-term, the ever-so-trendy flip flops are equally notorious for causing weakened tendons, aching toes and altering one's gait.
Other than the extreme measure of giving up one's entire footwear wardrobe, is there no way to take care of stressed feet? The solution comes in the form of new-age pedicure therapies. Thankfully in a country that has a spa on virtually every street and nail technicians that provide home services, the solution is within everyone's reach.
Dr Deepa Dhavjekar, general manager of Thai Privilege Spa in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, says since our feet are involved in all everyday actions they come under continuous strain and tension. She says, "We rarely have time to care for our feet the right way. The skin on the feet is harder than the rest of the body and acts as a protective shield for everyday wear and tear, but they need regular care. That also helps ward off long-term health problems."
Paraffin therapy
For many women a weekly pedicure is an essential part of their beauty regime. "But merely having pretty toes and keeping nails perfectly polished isn't what footcare is all about," says Tina Ghafurian, general manager at Tips & Toes, Dubai.
She says, "Our feet come under a lot of pressure on a daily basis and they deserve some TLC. It's important to pay attention to our feet to ensure they stay in good condition - a toe infection or an in-grown nail can be very painful and keep you off your feet for days. Besides the grooming aspect, pedicures are the most practical preventive treatment as they help protect against many foot-related problems including cracked heels, in-grown toes and fungal infections."
One of the most popular foot treatments is the Paraffin Pedicure. At Tips & Toes salon it is - a 30-minute procedure that uses oil-based warm wax to soften rough and hard skin, stimulate blood flow and strengthen nails.
"The paraffin pedicure starts just like any normal pedicure, however, before the polish is applied, the feet are dipped in wax. Feet are then wrapped in cling film and covered by towels to keep warm. The wax is left on the feet for 15 minutes. The paraffin treatment is then followed by nail colour application," says Ghafurian.
Podiatry pedicure
At the One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai experts have elevated footcare to a whole new level with Pedicure de Bastien, the brain child of Frenchman Bastien Gonzalez. And as the story goes, it was after a skiing accident, that Gonzalez was so impressed by the science behind foot therapy that he decided to start a podiatry clinic in Paris. It soon became so popular that he developed his own brand which is now available in select five-star hotels across the world.
Comprising of three steps, medical, aesthetic and well-being, the treatment uses traditional medical techniques, massages and therapeutic movements, as well as practical tools such as a glass file, a small drill, clippers and buffing tools.
First, the technician eliminates any nail problem or rigid dermal layer using traditional methods practiced in podiatry. Next they address the aesthetic aspect of the nail, increasing the overall shine using a buffer and cream but no colour. Finally, a series of massage techniques are applied to relieve tension and increase blood flow.
"Feet are the base of the whole body. There is an important biomechanic system that allows the legs and the feet to create steps and permits the human to walk. Feet are usually not taken care of, and their importance is unfortunately discovered only when pain or trouble starts," says Isabelle Vrillac from Bastien Gonzalez in Paris.
"Bastien's aim is to encourage people to give more and more importance to their feet. Fifty years ago, people were not taking care of their teeth as they do today. However, now caring for our teeth has fully become part of your daily health, wellness and beauty routine, it should be the same for feet," she adds.
Fishy foot therapy
For those who are looking for something even more intensive and are not ticklish, look no further than The Fish Spa. This unconventional method of dead skin removal involves small toothless fish. Available at the Wild Wadi in Dubai, the Garra Rufa fish or Doctor Fish, originally from Turkey, are bred for this purpose in Germany. The fish help improve circulation and are also thought to play a part in combating eczema and other skin conditions.
The water body contains several fish and you are made to dip your feet in the water for a certain amount of time. Although first-timers find it difficult to digest the idea of fish nibbling at their feet the results usually changes their mindset. The actual procedure does not hurt at all, except that it's a bit ticklish. The good thing is that it leaves feet very smooth and soft. Globally this is now considered quite a safe and effective foot therapy.
Reflexology rules
Another alternative, but less unusual way, to care for your feet is to undergo reflexology. This form of therapy is not only good for tired and worn-out feet, it is also great for overall health.
Did you know that many small bones and muscles are actually thought to have a profound impact on major organs in the body? And although we don't know if there is any medical connection between the big toe and the nose, there is some evidence to show that manipulation of the feet can have a positive effect on the rest of the body and the way we feel.
Dr Dhavjekar recommends reflexology for sore and tired feet and says it is also a great procedure to relieve tension and improve blood circulation. "A pampering session of reflexology combined with foot massages relaxes and relieves stress and tension, activates lymph drainage, assists in elimination of toxins, strengthens the immune system and enables a deep sense of well-being," says the ayurvedic medicine expert.
Like it is with most other things, what we do in our everyday life has an impact on the overall effectiveness of specialised measures. These specialised pedicure therapies require complementary daily footcare regime.
Ghafurian reiterates the importance of washing the feet everyday and moisturising well. But ensure that you dry them thoroughly as water between the toes and undernails can lead to fungal infections.
Soaking them in warm water once a week for 15 minutes helps soften hard skin on heels. And lastly, prevent cracked heels at any cost.
So go ahead and make those tired feet happy!
Keep those feet in tip-top condition
Once a week, give your feet an hour of special care and you'll see the difference.
- First of all, place slices of lemon in a bowl of warm water and soak feet for ten minutes
- Exfoliate with foot scrub
- Massage with a good-quality moisturising foot cream/lotion
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a towel
- Trim nails using clippers, not scissors and file to a square shape
- Buff gently to get the sheen back on the nails
- Finish with a pretty polish and don't forget the top coat
