As the temperatures finally begin to rise in our part of New Jersey, we at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care know that many of our patients can’t wait to get out their open-toed shoes and summer sandals. And, what better way to prepare your feet for these styles than with a pretty pedicure? We also are aware, however, that there is some hesitation about salon pedicures because of the risk of fungal and bacterial infections. If you don’t have a regular salon that you trust and who you know observes proper sanitizing procedures, we offer these steps for a do-it-yourself pedicure that will yield relaxing and attractive results.
- Start by soaking your feet in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes to soften skin and clean toenails.
- Next, gently rub skin with a pumice stone to get rid of dead skin and calluses. If you have deep calluses or corns that need attention, contact us for assistance.
- Push back cuticles with an orange stick or Hindu stone. Carefully trim only to the nail margin.
- Cut toenails straight across and not too short (to help prevent ingrown nails).
- Smooth the edges with an emery board.
- Apply cream or moisturizing lotion to the skin around your nails and then to your whole foot. Massage it into your feet, rubbing the ball of the foot and heel, as well as the fore and midfoot. Reflexologists believe that a good foot massage can positively impact other parts of your body as well, plus it feels great!
- Use nail polish remover to remove excess lotion on the toenails. This will allow the polish to adhere better.
- Apply a base coat, then two coats of nail color and finish with a top coat.
- Voila! Beautiful nails with no risk of fungal infections.
Doing an at-home pedicure is also a great opportunity to examine your entire foot and your toenails. If you notice any unusual growths, lumps, swelling or bruising, schedule an appointment our Edison, Monroe, or Monmouth Junction office(732-662-3050) to get your symptoms evaluated by our podiatrists, Dr. Varun Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah.
