Chapter
1: Introduction
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.
Chapter
2: How to Have a Manicure at Home
You
will need:
·
Nail polish remover
·
Cotton wool pads
·
Nail scissors
·
Emery board or nail file
·
Cuticle Cream (see chapter 6, par 2)
·
Rubber hoof stick
·
Orange sticks
·
Orange blossom massage cream (See chapter 7)
Regular manicures are one of
the easiest beauty salon treatments to carry out at home and will make all the
difference to the long-term state of our hands and mails. Aim to give the hands
a weekly manicure.
Method
- Wash hands and nails in
warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly.
- Remove any nail polish
with remover on cotton wool pads.
- Trim long nails with nail
scissors and file into a smooth oval shape, using an emery board or non-metal
nail file. Avoid ‘sawing’ backwards and forwards as this weakens the nail. The
best way to file the nails is in one direction only.
- After filing, rinse the
fingertips in warm water and pat dry.
- Apply a small amount of
Cuticle Cream around each nail and massage into the cuticle and base of the
nail. Leave tor a few minutes for the cream to penetrate and soften the skin.
- Next, take the rubber hoof
stick and gently push back the cuticle from around each nail. Never force the
skin back and avoid cutting or poking the cuticle as this can pierce the skin
and lead to infections. When you have been around each cuticle, take an orange
stick and wipe around the base of each nail to remove traces of cuticle cream.
- Apply a generous dollop of
Orange Blossom Massage Cream and work into the fingers, palms, and wrists.
Each hand contains
twenty-eight small bones and a complex network of muscles and tendons, so spend
at least 10 minutes giving the hands a gentle massage. This not only release tension
and loosens up stiff joints but also increases blood circulation and keeps the
skin feeling supple and smooth.
Chapter
3: How to Have a Pedicure at Home
You
will need:
·
Nail polish remover
·
Cotton wool pads
·
Footbath or washing-up bowl
·
Stiff nail brush
·
Soap
·
Small towel
·
Nail scissors
·
Emery board of nail file
·
Cuticle cream (see chapter 6, par 2)
·
Rubber hoof stick
·
Cuticle clippers
·
Orange blossom massage cream (see chapter 7)
·
Talcum powder
Aim to give your feet a
pedicure at least once a month to keep calluses, corns, and bunions at bay.
Method
- Begin by removing any nail
polish from the toenails with remover and cotton wool pads.
- Half-fill the footbath or
washing-up bowl with warm water and soak the feet for at least 5 minutes to
allow the skin to warm and soften
- Gently scrub the feet and
toes with a stiff nailbrush and soap.
- Dry the feet and toes
thoroughly and trim long nails by cutting straight across with a small pair of
nail scissors.
- Smooth any rough edges of
the nails with an emery board or non-metal nail file.
- Apply a small amount of
Cuticle Cream to each toenail and massage into the cuticles.
- Use a rubber hoof stick to
gently encourage the cuticles away from the nail bed, but be careful not to jab
or poke too vigorously as this can pierce the skin and lead to infections.
Use
a sharp pair of cuticle clippers to cut away any small pieces of dead cuticle,
but take care not to snip any living tissue.
- Spend the next 10 minutes
massaging the feet with a generous helping of Orange Blossom Cream - you will
be rewarded for your efforts afterwards when your feet feel as though they are
walking on air.
- Finely, dust in between
the toes with talcum powder (you can make your own by mixing equal quantities
of arrowroot and corn flour, scented with small pieces of chopped orange and
lemon peel.)
Chapter
4: Seven Point Plan in Between Manicures and Pedicures
1. Always wear a pair of
gloves or use a barrier cream when outside or doing chores such as gardening or
the washing-up.
2. Avoid plunging the hands into too-hot or freezing –
cold water as this encourages dehydration and leads to skin chapping.
3. Always use a sunblock when out in sunny weather to
prevent the formation of brown ‘age’ spots on the backs of the hands.
4. Get into the habit of using a rich hand cream last
thing at night.
5. 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.
6. Always trim hangnails to prevent them tearing or
splitting.
7. Avoid opening the mail, cans, jars, etc. with the
nails as this weakens the structure and encourages them to break off.
Chapter
5: Tips for Healthier Feet
In between pedicures you can encourage healthy feet,
ankles and toes by following these six steps to healthier feet:
1. Switch heel heights
during the day to give the feet and calves a break. If you wear high heels
during the day, slip into a pair of pumps in the evening.
2. Invest in a corrugated foot roller to give the feet a
reflexology-style workout during the day. Simply move the feet along the roller
to stimulate the nerve endings on the soles of the feet.
3. Use a rich moisture cream on your feet at night and
wake up to softer toes.
4. Always wear well-fitting shoes and have your feet
professionally measured from time to time when choosing a new pair, in case of
change.
5. Apply a daily dab of Cuticle Cream or almond oil to
the toenails to keep cuticles soft and well-conditioned.
6. Always trim toenails straight across, never down at
the sides, to prevent in-growing toenails.
7. Try not to wear shoes all the time, for example when
you are at home. When walking barefoot your weight is evenly distributed across
your whole foot and doesn't put strain on one particular part. Shoes with too
high heels can cause backache, cellulite and varicose veins. The higher the
heels of shoes, the more they will strain your feet. It may even result in
bunions (swelling of the big toe joint).
8. Most people don't realise how strenuous their daily
routines are on their feet. Our feet need pampering just as much as our hands
or any other part of our bodies for that matter. Exercising your feet will give
them strength for another day and relax your whole body at the same time. Do
foot exercises for ten minutes every day.
A few exercises that work:
- Walk barefoot with your
toes pointed inward. Rotate your ankles ten times in one direction followed by
ten times in the opposite direction. This will also strengthen your ankles.
- Lie on the floor with your legs up against a wall. Use
your toes to pull your feet up as high as possible
Chapter
6: Top Three Remedies for Hands and Feet
The top three remedies for hands and feet are easy to make
and are well worth including in your regular beauty routine. Not only do they
make the hands and feet look more attractive, but they also help prevent more
serious disorders from developing in the future.
1.
Lavender Barrier Cream
• 10 g
(14 oz.) beeswax pieces
• 25 g
(1 oz.) cocoa butter
• 600
m (4 tbsp.) almond oil
• 15
ml 1 (tbsp.)castor oil
• 15
drops lavender essential oil
Method
This waterproof hand cream will protect the hands from
environmental abuse and is perfect to use before chores such as gardening and
washing-up. Keep a tub handy in the kitchen for regular use. Instead of using
lavender essential oil, the cream may also be scented with lemon or sandalwood
oils for more macho aroma.
- Put the beeswax pieces and
cocoa butter in a heatproof bowl and place in a saucepan half-filled with
water. Gently heat until the beeswax and cocoa has melted together. Remove from
the heat and stir in the almond oil and castor oil.
- Allow cooling and beat in
the lavender. Pour the mixture into tubs of shallow screw-top jars and rub into
the hands whenever a protective barrier cream is needed.
2.
Cuticle Cream
• 10 g
(¼ oz.) beeswax pieces
• 60
ml. (4 tbsp.) almond oil
• 5
drops lavender essential oil
• 10
drops tea tree essential oil
Method
This nourishing cream also contains essential oils to
heal minor skin irritations and the inclusion of the tea tree essential oil
will help prevent common fungal nail infections.
- Put the beeswax pieces and
almond oil together in a heatproof bowl and place in a saucepan half-filled
with water. Gently heat until the beeswax has completely melted into the oil.
Stir thoroughly, remove from the heat, and allow cooling slightly. Then stir in
the essential oils.
- Pour the mixture into a
small screw-top jar and use to massage daily around the nails to soften
cuticles and prevent them from splitting and peeling.
3.
Hot oil Smoother
• 50
ml.(2 fl. oz.) almond oil
• 20
ml. (4 tsp.) wheat germ oil
• 10
drops lavender essential oil
• Pair
of old cotton socks
• Pair
of cotton gloves
Method
This is an excellent overnight intensive treatment for
re-moisturising hard skin on the hands and feet. The hot oil rapidly soaks into
the upper layers of skin and is sealed in with cotton socks and gloves. This
encourages our natural body heat to boost penetration of the oil even further
(cotton manicure gloves are available from major department stores and some
chemists).
- Warm the almond oil in a
small saucepan. Add the wheat germ oil and lavender essential oil and remove
from the heat.
- Apply liberally to clean
feet and hands, massaging well into the skin before covering with cotton socks
and gloves. Leave overnight and in the morning the skin will feel fabulously
soft and smooth.
Chapter
7: Recipe for Orange Blossom Massage Cream
You
will need:
• 5 ml
(1 tsp.) lecithin capsules
• 25
ml (1 fl. oz.) rosewater
• 25
ml (1 fl. oz.) almond oil
• 50
ml (2 fl. oz.) olive or avocado oil
• 10 g
(¼ oz.) beeswax pieces
• 20
drops neroli or petit grain essential oil
Pure neroli essential oil gives this cream its luxurious
orange blossom scent, but less expensive alternatives include petit grain,
bergamot or ylang ylang oils. This
moisturising mixture also makes a good massage balm and skin salve.
Method
- Put the lecithin granules
of the contents of the capsules to soak in the rosewater for several hours,
preferably overnight.
- Put the almond oil, olive
or avocado oil, and beeswax pieces in a heatproof bowl and place in a saucepan
half–filled with water.
- Gently heat until the
beeswax has melted completely. Add the lecithin and rosewater, and beat
vigorously before removing from the heat. Add the essential oil of your choice
to fragrance the cream.
- Allow to cool slightly
before pouring into a shallow tub or screw-top jar (scraping the cream from the
sides of the mixing bowl before it sets).
To use, massage
liberally into rough, chapped skin on the hands, elbows, and feet.
Chapter
8: What Is Reflexology?
Give some thought on the tough role your feet have to
play. It is amazing the burden they have to carry in relation to their
structure. So, occasionally treat them with a nice massage.
Have you ever heard of a tired person saying, “My feet are
killing me”? Many times somebody is saying this to make a point of how tired
they are. But have you ever give a thought for your feet? If feet could talk,
they would probably say, “My owner is killing me.”
The feet are the hardest working entities of a person’s
body and by that, it is meant physical working. How many people are not for the
entire working day on their feet? – think about the police officer patrolling,
a schoolteacher, a prison guard also patrolling, the athlete running the Boston
Marathon, etc. So give a thought to your feet also. You take care of your
heart, stomach, hands, nails, etc. but what do you do for your feet?
Feet are actually fabulous. Think of their size in
relation to the rest of the body and the body’s weight. But luckily, there is
something to spoil your feet with to show your appreciation for all their hard
work. The answer lies in reflexology. Reflexology is the science of massaging
the feet.
The feet are divided into zones, which represent the
entire body. Massaging the nerve endings, which are, situated at the bottom of
the feet triggers off a response in the body. Thorough stimulation of all
reflex areas of the feet stress and tension is reduced. Reflexology is nothing
new; it is coming from ancient times when people were still going bare-feet, as
shoes were not yet invented. Walking bare-feet caused the reflex areas of the
feet been massaged by the uneven and rough surfaces people had to walk on.
With the coming of the new ages and the invention of
shoes people realized that they were not that relaxed after a day’s work as
previously the case was and that is where reflexology started. Now feet had to
be massaged manually and it was realized it did work and that is where
therapeutic reflexology came in.
A person skilled in applying reflexology is able to
stimulate an entire foot by using special thumb, finger, and hand techniques.
This specific pressure and the energy generated by the hands create a
physiological response or reflex in the body, which stimulates circulation,
nerve connections, and energy pathways that extend from the feet to the rest of
the body. This process encourages a state of balance. Although, the aim is to
treat tired feet, the entire body is actually treated. Even in their tired
state, they still care for the entire body!
With reflexology, the body parts are reflected in
miniature detail on the feet, with the front of the body on the soles and the
back of the body on the top of the feet. The zones are as follows:
• The toes
reflect the head
• The
balls of the feet reflect the rib cage
• The
fleshy instep of the foot reflects the soft abdomen
• The firm
heel reflects the pelvic bone
• The
ankle bone reflects the hip bone
• The bony
ridge on the inside of the foot reflects the spine
A reflexologist is trained to massage these reflexes
using various techniques.
It is actually marvellous to think that the hard working
feet represent a microcosm of the entire body and that it is the gateway of
treating the entire body. It is a good reason to put your best foot first!
Next time, before you accuse your feet of killing you,
thank them for assisting you to keep your body healthy!
The
End
