Pretty feet for the summer
It's almost summer, and with it the time when our feet are back in the spotlight. But have we really paid enough attention to looking after these often neglected body parts? When you consider that our feet cover more than 160,000 kilometers over the course of a lifetime, you really start to realize how important our feet are to us.
Let's be clear: In winter, our feet have been hibernating unnoticed in winter shoes and thick socks for quite a while. That's why it's time to focus on our feet again!
Why are pretty feet so important to us?
Our feet are complex: consisting of more than 20 bones, over 100 ligaments and numerous muscles. They are exposed to considerable strain every day and are the most heavily stressed part of our musculoskeletal system.
In response to stress, such as pressure and friction, the skin on the feet often forms calluses. This serves to protect the foot from injury, but looks very unattractive to you. However, it is not only from a cosmetic point of view that it makes sense to care for callused areas of skin: Callused skin is less elastic than callous-free skin and therefore cracks more quickly. This disrupts the skin's natural protective function and increases the risk of infections such as athlete's foot and nail fungus. Deep cracks can also be painful. If the callus formation progresses further, this can lead to pronounced hardening and yellowish discoloration of the skin. By then at the latest, the cosmetic aspect is so important that people would prefer to hide their feet. Such problems can be avoided by taking appropriate care measures. Thorough foot care is the first priority.
Tips for pretty feet
As soon as the first rays of sunshine break through, we long for open shoes and the feeling of lightness. Now is the perfect time to give our feet the attention and care they deserve. For women, well-groomed feet and immaculately painted toenails are the be-all and end-all for a successful start to the warm season. Our tips make it easy to get your feet back into top shape.
Did you know? These tips are not just for women - men can also benefit from them and enjoy beautiful, well-groomed feet.
Depending on the time of year, a foot bath can not only warm or cool your feet, but also relax them. Your feet are already well served if you place them in 38 degree (= warmer than warm, but not hot) water for ten minutes and then rub them thoroughly. A foot bath is a good preparation for further foot care.
Nothing conceals the beauty of our feet more than cracks and whitish, cracked calluses, which tend to form during the winter months when our feet have to squeeze into tight shoes and boots. But calluses and cracks can not only look unattractive, they can also lead to health problems. It is therefore particularly important to take care of these areas. It is not always advisable to treat them yourself with a pumice stone. There are creams and foam creams that gently remove calluses in just a few days. Ideally, you should consult a foot professional to gently remove the callus if the area is very calloused.
> Find out more about our Allpresan pedicare No. 4 series
> More about calluses and cracks
> Find a foot professional near you
Of course, well-groomed toenails are also part of beautiful feet. To shape your nails, it is best to trim them with a file instead of scissors or clippers to prevent them from splitting. The minutes after a foot bath are also a good time to do this. File (or cut) the toenails as straight as possible so that the side edges remain standing - this reduces the risk of the nail growing in and causing painful nail bed inflammation. In addition, nails should not be cut or filed too short. If you want to do something for your nails and cuticles, you can apply a special nail oil, which also helps against brittle or fragile nails.
Anyone who suffers from dry or even cracked skin on their feet should regularly treat their toes, balls of the feet and heels to a portion of foam cream. This can be supplemented with a rich cream overnight. The right foot care moisturizes the skin and makes it feel smooth. Not in the mood for long waiting times after applying cream? The advantage of a foam cream compared to a normal foot cream is that the foam is absorbed very quickly and does not leave an unpleasant greasy film.
> Find out about our care for sensitive and delicate feet
> Find out more about our care for dry feet
A foot mask can be used as a supplement to the foot care ritual to provide additional care for the skin of the feet and remove excess callus. It should be noted that the effect of the foot mask is not immediate, but is slightly delayed (up to 5 days after application). The effect of the mask varies according to skin type: the skin may peel.
> Find out more about our foot mask
Our tip:
You can also create your own mask for the night. Use Allpresan No. 3 Lipid Cream or Allpresan No. 4 Lipid Ointment for your own foot mask:
- Apply a rich foot cream to your feet in the evening
- Put a bag over your feet
- Slips in cotton socks
- Off to bed
A relaxing foot massage is not only pleasant, but also promotes blood circulation and therefore the health of your feet. You can massage your feet yourself by working from the back of the foot to the soles and then to the toes. Then wrap your feet in a warm towel and put them up.
The right foot care for different skin types
Appropriate foot care is crucial to prevent problems such as dry skin, callus formation or even fungal infections of the feet and nails. When choosing the right foot care products, it is important to pay attention to quality, effectiveness and compatibility.
Dry skin
Dry and cracked skin on the feet can be uncomfortable and even lead to pain. Our Allpresan foam creams offer intensive and lasting care for every foot. The foam creams are quickly absorbed and leave the skin feeling pleasant and nourished.
Calluses & cracks
Excess calluses can not only look unattractive, but can also cause discomfort when walking. Our special care for calluses contains active ingredients such as 15% urea and allantoin, which help to gently reduce excess calluses and nourish the skin at the same time. Glycerine provides additional moisture to dry skin, increasing the elasticity and resistance of the skin on the feet. Used regularly, it ensures soft and supple feet.
Sweaty feet
Sweating is a natural reaction of our body, but can be particularly unpleasant on the feet and even lead to foot odor. Our Allpresan Foot Special No. 5 series is precisely tailored to the needs of sweaty feet that are prone to foot odor. The foam cream contains oak bark and sage extract and has been proven to reduce foot perspiration. It also helps to reduce calluses. Unpleasant foot odor occurs when bacteria break down sweat. Less foot perspiration also means less foot odor. In addition to the foam cream, there is a foot powder spray that absorbs existing sweat and thus prevents the development of unpleasant odors. For a fresh feeling all day long.
Foot and nail fungus
Fungal foot and nail infections are widespread and require special treatment. A doctor should therefore always be consulted if fungal infections are suspected. Our Allpresan products for fungal-sensitive feet and nails have been developed to accompany the treatment of fungal infections of the feet and nails. They are used alongside medical treatment and help to care for and regenerate the affected areas.