Who doesn't love a good foot massage? But what about the neglected feet? They need some loving too! And one of the best ways to show your feet some love is by exfoliating them.
Exfoliating your feet has a number of benefits that go beyond just making them look and feel softer. Here are four reasons why you should add feet exfoliation to your beauty routine:
It can make your feet look better.
When you exfoliate your feet, you're not just making them feel softer, you're also making them look better. If you have dry, flaky skin on your feet, regular exfoliation can help get rid of that and provide you with more hydrated, supple skin. And if you want to get rid of calluses, exfoliation is a must.
It can make your feet smell better. Yay!
If you're worried about your feet smelling, regular exfoliation can help with that too. By getting rid of the dead skin cells on your feet, you'll also be getting rid of the bacteria that can cause foot odor.
Prevents callous build-up.
Calluses and corns are part of the body’s natural defense system, designed to protect the skin against repeated friction and pressure. Good, right?
Some calluses might be welcomed, like drummers who want calluses on their hands to avoid frequent blisters. Or maybe a tight rope walker would want them to protect his feet from the rope. It could happen.
Calluses form when the skin is exposed to frequent pressure and friction and dead skin cells accumulate and then harden. Exfoliating your skin daily removes any dead skin build up and prevent the formation of calluses. The combination of coconut oil, lavender oil and vitamin E in Mod Pod Scrub will smooth and soften your skin while preventing any thick callus formation in the future. This product can not only be used on your feet, but it can be used all over the body for smoother, softer skin.
Exfoliating your feet daily can dry your skin out, so it is important to moisturize afterward to leave your skin feeling soft. Mod Pod Nourish is a body lotion that will leave your skin feeling refreshed and radiant all day. The Shea butter and grapefruit essential oil combination is perfect to restore hydration to your skin.
If you have severe dry feet, I recommend using Mod Pod Hydrate. This is a hydration balm, so it is thicker than regular lotion and will provide a deeper level of hydration. Unlike most hydration balms, Hydrate does not leave a greasy film on your skin. It is super lightweight and will leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
It’s really that simple! Just exfoliate and moisturize daily. If you are reading this and already have thick callus build-up on your feet, you will need to add an extra step. Those thick calluses are pesky and need something a little stronger to debride the dead skin.
For those thick calluses we have something called Mod Pod Heal . This product comes in an easy roll-on applicator (great for those who have a hard time reaching their feet) and contains urea. Urea is a strong skin softening agent that enzymatically debrides dead skin. The urea is combined with essential oils and vitamin E to remove dead skin build-up while leaving your skin soft and smooth. Mod Pod Heal should be used once a day, only on thick callused areas, until the desired results are achieved. Use a few times a week if you’re prone to callouses.
For people with chronic dry skin, a.k.a xerosis, there is a prescription that can be called into the pharmacy called Lac-Hydrin. This is a prescription strength moisturizer that contains 12% lactic acid to help smooth dry, dead skin.
Leaving dry, cracked skin untreated can lead to a more serious problem called fissures. Fissures are when chronic dryness leads to cracks in the skin. These cracks can cause pain, discomfort and even bleed some. Depending on the severity of the fissure, you may need to be treated with antibiotic ointment first. If they are chronic and causing pain, we can offer Heal Seal. This is a surgical glue that seals that painful cracks to prevent infection, promote healing and decrease pain. If you have deep cracks on your feet or heels, please call the office at 859-264-1141 or schedule an appointment online.
So, if you're looking for a way to show your feet some love, exfoliation is the way to go. Not only will it help prevent foot problems, but it will also make your feet look and feel better. So, what are you waiting for? Start exfoliating!