Sole music: the ultimate guide to treating your feet

Let us take a moment to appreciate the most overworked and undervalued parts of our bodies. Generally last in line for pampering yet arguably the most deserving of it, it’s no wonder our feet are the first places to show signs of neglect. They are subject to constant pressure causing the skin to thicken and harden here faster as the body attempts to protect itself from physical stress by growing calluses (which explains why it’s not advisable to remove these completely).

What’s more, the older we get the more we need to give our extremities a little TLC. According to A-list podiatrist and all-round foot whisperer Margaret Dabbs, ‘Feet age in exactly the same way as the face – the skin thins, the subcutaneous fat layer is lost and the sweat glands reduce in effectiveness meaning that it becomes more crucial than ever to re-introduce moisture.’ 

With advice from Margaret and a little help from some choice products, you’ll be putting your best feet forward in no time. ‘Performing a first-class pedicure at home is simply down to using the right products in the right way,’ she says. ‘You really can achieve professional treatment results at home if you get this right.’

‘Hard, dry skin is unsightly, uncomfortable and can lead to cracks in the skin,’ says Margaret. ‘All the foot creams in the world won’t work if you leave this barrier in place so the first step is to use a professional foot file like my Professional Foot File. It’s one of the quickest ways to transform neglected feet and will take years off them.’ You can also use the file to safely remove corns and hard skin from your toes including the ridge of skin that builds up under the little toe. 

‘For the most effective, long-lasting results, always foot file dry,’ advises Margaret. ‘Wet skin masks the area to be treated while water can cause cracks to open as it weakens the tissues and makes the skin spongy. Also always use a crystal file for shaping the nails, filing straight across for a professional finish. Simple to use, hygienic and long-lasting, they help to promote healthy nail growth.’

Margaret suggests using a foot scrub to bring dull, dry skin back to life and reach areas that a file can’t. ‘Using a small amount of scrub on wet hands, rub it over the entire foot, concentrating on the heels and balls of the feet before massaging it in-between the toes and over the nails,’ she says. ‘Rinse with warm water and you’ll immediately see a difference.’

Afterwards, finish with an intensive foot lotion to reduce hard skin build up and to keep the skin soft.  ‘Apply all over the feet and very, very slowly massage it in, increasing the speed of the movement as you reach the ankles and taking this this time to relax your mind and unwind,’ advises Margaret.

‘Daily use of a foot lotion will help to recreate that walking on air feeling you get with a professional pedicure,’ she says. ‘Alongside your foot file and scrub, it will stop the hard skin from building up again.’

‘Our feet need attention all year round but we tend to become more aware of them during the summer months when they’re more exposed,’ observes Margaret. ‘When we get hot, we’re more likely to become dehydrated and the skin on our feet will show visible signs of this so ensure you’re using a foot moisturiser every day as well as drinking plenty of water to help keep the skin hydrated and healthy.’

Warm weather can also cause the feet to swell as the veins dilate in an attempt to keep the body cool, resulting in increased blood flow to the lower limbs and extra fluid being pooled at the ankles and feet. ‘This puts the skin of the feet under tension causing them to throb and become reddened and swollen which results in dehydration and cracks when the swelling reduces,’ Margaret says.

‘Bacterial and fungal skin conditions such as odour and Athlete’s Foot can also be a problem in the heat as closed footwear harbours bacteria which thrive in warm, moist conditions,’ she continues. ‘For this reason I recommend regularly using my Margaret Dabbs London Foot Hygiene Cream which is also great for those who do a lot of exercise.’

Now that your feet are in shipshape condition, nail technician Trish Lomax explains how to get those tips looking top notch too. ‘Prevent smudges by keeping each layer of polish as thin as possible,’ she says. ‘Remember that full polish application – base coat, two layers of colour and top coat – takes four to six hours to fully harden.’

Trish adds that peeling and chips happen when there is moisture or oil trapped under the polish. ‘The nail plate can hold up to 30% water causing it to expand and contract,’ she says. ‘To ensure a good adhesion, avoid any contact with water prior to polish application and wipe a nail dehydrator such as acetone over the nail plate before applying your base coat.’ Then finish by coating the edge of the nail using a dabbing motion to seal the lacquer and prevent water from getting under the polish. 

‘To correct any errors,’ she says, ‘use a small brush – such as an old eyeliner or lip liner brush – dipped in acetone to gently sweep away any imperfections.’

Your Happy Feet Kit