Feet

Foot care is necessary for both women and men, as both are exposed to walking and wear and tear due to the rhythm of our daily lives, which can lead to tiredness, swelling, and promote blisters, calluses, or other injuries such as fungi. In the case of women, it is worse because improper shoes or excessive use of heels can cause deformities and damage to the feet and knees. Nowadays, there are many professional and home alternatives to pamper your feet.

Relaxing Bath
One of the basic treatments for weekly foot care is a relaxing bath that involves cleaning, exfoliating, and massaging the feet to achieve relaxation and improve circulation. This can be done at home as follows:

- Wash the feet well.
- Massage the feet with a moisturizing cream or relaxing oil.
- Mix warm water with liquid soap, or prepare a mixture of two cups of milk and seven cups of warm water in a container where you can place your feet and keep them in for about 10 minutes.
- Dry and apply an exfoliant. You can also mix a bit of honey with two teaspoons of sugar to create a natural exfoliant. Gently rub each foot, as this will help remove dead skin cells and soften the skin hardened by constant shoe use.
- Rinse the feet again, this time with cold water to activate circulation and remove the exfoliant.
- Remove the feet from the water, dry them thoroughly, and apply a refreshing and moisturizing cream.
- Massage the feet from the toes to the ankle, bending the toes down and up. Then, rotate each toe to the right and left, and do the same with the entire foot at the ankle level, turning it from side to side. Repeat with the other foot. Once done, press the toes against the floor while making circular movements with the heel in the air.

There are countless places, such as hair salons, beauty parlors, and specialized institutes for foot care where, in addition to hydrating and massaging your feet, they also beautify them. However, with the current fast-paced lifestyle, it can be hard for some people to find time for this; so an easy way to solve this problem is by doing it at home quickly and simply through the following steps:

- Wash your feet.
- Remove any nail polish if you have painted nails.
- Trim the nails to a length slightly longer than the edge of the toe, then file and perfect them with a polishing pad.
- Apply moisturizing cream around the nails and cuticle to loosen the cuticle and any calluses around it.
- Mix warm water with a little liquid soap or shampoo in a foot bath or basin.
- Soak your feet for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Dry your feet.
- Remove the cuticles. Gently remove them from each toe from front to back to avoid injury.
- Gently rub your feet with a pumice stone, applying more pressure on areas with harder skin or calluses.
- Rinse again to remove any residues and immediately take them out of the water and dry them.
- Apply an exfoliating cream to soften the skin.
- Wash your feet one more time, dry them, and use a moisturizing cream or aromatic oil.
- Place a toe separator and first apply a strengthening topcoat, then your preferred nail color, and finish with a quick-drying or sealing topcoat to set the polish.

Paraffin Treatment
Paraffin wax is a product derived from refined crude mineral oil and is especially recommended for people with very dry skin or those living in cold climates, as it is an excellent moisturizer that leaves the feet soft and helps maintain skin firmness. Additionally, the hot temperature required for its application aids in blood circulation and also helps relieve pain such as that caused by arthritis. You can go to a professional center where they perform this treatment, but it can also be easily done at home:

- Clean your skin thoroughly to remove any powders, deodorants, sweat, etc.
- Cover your feet with plastic bags or plastic wrap to retain the heat.
- Let it work for about 15 minutes until the wax cools, and do not move during this period to avoid breaking the wax.
- Apply a moisturizing cream until the skin absorbs it completely.
- Melt a piece of paraffin in a "double boiler" until it is completely liquid, then wait until the temperature is warm but bearable.
- Carefully remove the plastic and wax from the back of the feet towards the front.
- Use a moisturizing cream treatment.
- This process should be done at least every 15 days, and the wax used should be discarded after the treatment.

Having Beautiful Feet
There are other suggestions to take care of your feet and pamper them as they deserve. Experts recommend, for example, walking barefoot at home and also on wet sand, as it helps move and strengthen all the muscles and tendons in the feet, unlike wearing shoes which primarily strengthen only some muscles. It is also recommended to avoid tight shoes and excessive high heels, as they contribute to the appearance of blisters, calluses, and other deformities. They are also harmful to the health of your knees, legs, and even your spine. It’s always best to find comfortable shoes that fit your feet properly.
If you’ve had a busy day, walked a lot, or worn high heels, try coming home and soaking your feet in warm water with aromatic salts to help calm and relieve stress. Trim your toenails and do a pedicure at least every two weeks at home or at a specialized center. Soak your feet in a relaxing warm bath for a few minutes once a week, then apply an exfoliating cream and finally a moisturizing cream. This keeps your skin soft and fresh. Once a week, you can also do special foot massages or exercises, such as rotating the ankle in both directions, trying to hold objects with your feet, and rubbing a tennis ball from the toe to the heel on the sole of your foot.