Dreaming Of Summer?

Here at Trinity, we’re gearing up for Summer with our annual mailer for health and beauty journalists!  In these colder, darker months, we need to manifest a gorgeous Summer for 2023! Just picture it….meeting up with friends after work for drinks in the park, dipping your feet in the sea for a paddle, rooftop bars, garden parties, BBQs and wearing ALL the floaty dresses & summer sandals!

But when it’s time to get out of your wellies and into your flip flops – will you be ready for the reveal? We talked to expert podiatrist Dina Gohil BSc (Hons) MRCPod, HCPC Reg of Mayfair Clinic, DG Podiatrist and Brand Ambassador for CCS Foot Care to find out why it’s worth investing some time now during this “hibernation” phase to get your feet ready for Spring / Summer!

1. Soften Up

The cold, damp weather can leave our skin dehydrated and desperate for a moisture boost. To add to the problem, central heating also dries out our skin, causing it to flake and take on a dull sheen. This also effects our legs, heels and feet – with these areas particularly susceptible to a build up of dry, hard skin. To keep the skin on our feet supple and soft, you really need to make foot care a part of your daily beauty regime. It’s important to use a specialist foot care cream specially formulated for dry and callused feet, and not just a regular body lotion. Ideally, look for one which contains a high quantity of urea, a keratolytic agent which helps maintain moisture levels, reduces the build-up of callus, breaks down hard skin and helps the uptake of water in the epidermis. I use CCS Foot Care Cream – with 10% urea and eucalyptus oil – and this is the one product I recommend to all my clients to use at home. 95% of people notice an improvement within a week.  Use it every day – after your morning shower or massage into your feet before you go to bed for an overnight moisture.

2. Peel to Reveal

At-home treatments can be a lifesaver to help kick start your foot care regime ahead of the Spring / Summer. If you’re looking to ditch dry, dead skin fast, then try an easy-to-use DIY pedi treatment, like Footner Exfoliating Socks. Just pop the socks on and clip with the seal, then relax with your feet up for 60 minutes. It’s perfect to pair-up with another pamper product like a hair or face mask. The socks contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which help loosen dead skin whilst moisturisers in the formula condition the feet. It can take between 1-7 days for the socks to work their magic, then the dead and hard skin starts to shed from the feet to leave the skin soft and supple. These types of treatments do require a bit of planning (leave 10 days overall), and so, pre-Season is an ideal time to give your feet some TLC before the big reveal!

3. Nail it

It’s a good idea to take a break from nail polish over the winter when your feet aren’t “on show” as much. Leaving toenails bare helps the nail bed to repair and regrow and ensures that moisture can enter the nail. Cut the toenails regularly using nail clippers or nail scissors – and remember to leave a small, white free edge. For hygiene purposes, clean your nail tools and don’t share them with anyone else!

Before the Spring arrives, make sure you check your toenails for any problems such as brittle, thick, weak or discoloured nails. Follow a simple hygiene routine to prevent these problems which could be a sign of a fungal nail infection – wash your feet in warm, soapy water daily and always clean and dry your feet properly, especially between the toes. Many people feel self-conscious or embarrassed to show their  toenails, so it really is important to get any problems sorted, so you can feel confident.

When you are ready to go barefoot, why not try one of the nail varnishes which let the nails “breath”. Go for a pop of colour with Nailner’s Breathable Nail Polish in Rosy Red.

4. TLC for neglected feet

After a long Winter stuck in thick socks and stiff boots, hard skin can build up and form callused, cracked heels which can turn into deep, painful cuts called fissures.  If this is the case, use a foot file or pumice stone during the week to gradually break down and remove dead skin cells. Follow up with a generous layer of a specially formulated heel balm. Go gently as the skin may be sore  – and if it is still a problem arrange to see a podiatrist who can help to restore the skin on the feet to good health safely. Also, to promote healing and hydration from the inside out, drink plenty of water every day.

5. Boots to Birkenstocks – the easy way

Your footwear choices will go a long way to maintaining the health of your feet. Whatever your style, shoes need to fit comfortably in every dimension – depth, width and length according to your foot shape. A recent survey found that more than half of Brits[i] haven’t had their feet measured since childhood– but it really is important to help support your gait, posture and overall skeletal health. Wearing shoes without socks and choosing styles that are too big or too small can cause pressure and friction which can cause problems such as chafing and blisters. If you’re a regular gym goer, hiker, walker or runner, then make sure your footwear supports your ankle and midfoot whilst you exercise. Also look for breathable fabric in running trainers or hiking boots – to reduce sweat, odour and prevent fungal infections. And, please don’t spend too much time in unsupportive footwear such as flip flops in the Summer – they’re really only okay for the beach or the poolside!

[i] Atomik Research on behalf of Footner, survey of 2000 UK Brits, February 2022