Hands and feet are our hard-working slaves and deserve
pampering with a little extra care and attention. The skin that covers our
hands and feet is much thicker than elsewhere on the body. This provides them
with important protection during their demanding daily tasks, but can sometimes
result in a build-up of rough, chapped skin that looks unsightly and is often
painful. Our hands especially are always out on constant show and are
continually exposed to the elements. Strong sunshine encourages brown ‘age’
spots on the backs of the hands, cold weather leaves them dry and chapped,
while washing in soapy water strips away their natural oils, leaving them rough
and wrinkled.
Our feet come under a different kind of pressure as they
carry our weight around all day, often squeezed into tightly fitted boots and
shoes. During the winter months, the skin on our feet may go for months without
being allowed to breathe properly, as feet are cocooned in constant layers of
thick tights, woolly socks, and warm bedclothes. It is said that the expression
on your face is due to the comfort of your feet and it is certainly true that
corns, chilblains and bunions cause a great
deal of misery. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that pedicures have
become one of the most popular beauty treatments - a small amount of time spent
looking after the feet can put a smile on the face all year round. Fingernails
and toenails also require regular care to keep them trim and attractive.
Giving yourself a weekly manicure and pedicure is a simple
beauty treatment that keeps nails tidy and prevents problems such as splitting,
flaking and painful in-growing toenails. Follow this 7 point plan in between
manicures and pedicures:
·
Always wear a pair of gloves or use a barrier
cream when outside or doing chores such as gardening or the washing-up.
·
Avoid plunging the hands into too-hot or
freezing – cold water as this encourages dehydration and leads to skin
chapping.
·
Always use a sunblock when out in sunny weather
to prevent the formation of brown ‘age’ spots on the backs of the hands.
·
Get into the habit of using a rich hand cream
last thing at night.
·
Include vegetable oils in your daily diet, such
as olive or sunflower oils for cooking, or food supplements such as cod liver
oil or evening primrose oil to help strengthen weak, brittle nails.
·
Always trim hangnails to prevent them tearing or
splitting.
·
Avoid opening the mail, cans, jars, etc. with
the nails as this weakens the structure and encourages them to break off.
