Pedicures: How to Treat 6 Common Foot Conditions
Foot care is essential to well-being. Feet carry us around for a lifetime. They help us remain mobile, which contributes to our overall health. Sadly, however, many of us take them granted. Approximately 85% of the population has foot or foot related problems, and many don't seek the proper care.
While foot conditions such as calluses and cracked heels are unsightly, they can also cause pain. You can ease your clients’ discomfort by recognizing the conditions, treating them during the pedicure, recommending "pediceutical" home care, and referring to a medical professional if necessary.
This post will review six of the most common issues that you may see during your professional pedicure services. Additionally, it demonstrates how you can achieve transformational results, which will create loyal clients.
1. Cracked Heels
Cracked heels are a very common occurrence, particularly in hot weather when open-heeled shoes, sandals, and flip-flops are worn routinely. However, most cracks, although they look bad, are actually minor and can be easily managed by using the Footlogix Cracked Heel formula.
Cracked heels are unsightly, uncomfortable, and may even be painful. Also referred to as heel fissures, they result from dry skin accompanied by thickened skin and unsightly calluses. Cracked skin may also appear on the ball of the foot. For these extreme conditions, you need an intensely hydrating and softening, lightweight formula that adds moisture to the skin and heals effectively.
Recommendation: Footlogix Cracked Heel Formula
What it does: It eliminates deeply cracked skin and thick calluses without leaving a greasy film. (No slipping after the pedicure!)
How it does it: It contains Dermal Infusion Technology, a delivery system that carries active ingredients past the stratum corneum into the layers of the epidermis, helping to restore the health of the skin. It absorbs quickly and continues to work after application.
Key ingredients: Urea hydrates and locks moisture into the skin. Evening primrose assists the skin in rebuilding itself after trauma.
Usage: Apply to clean, dry feet twice a day for two weeks, and then once daily until cracks are healed.
2. Rough Skin
Do some of your clients have heels that feel like “Velcro” or as rough as sandpaper even after filing them during a pedicure? If this is the case, they probably have a tinea pedis, or skin fungus, in the callus. This is a common condition. The usual cause of rough skin on feet is tiny micro-lesions or cracks in a callus, which cause susceptibility when coming into contact with tinea. Until this is resolved, your clients will never have those smooth heels again. It’s important to keep calluses filed by regular pedicures.
Dry, sandpaper-like, rough skin (skin that catches) or skin prone to fungal infections can develop into very severe problems, especially for people with diabetes or atopic dermatitis. Rough skin around the heels can become so severe that it can cause deep cracks and infections. Dry feet exposed in public areas, such as unclean foot baths or unclean salons and spas can develop dry, unsightly, flaking, and rough skin. Proper hydration of the rough skin on the feet can help to keep skin healthy and allow it to do its job of “protection.”
Recommendation: Footlogix Rough Skin Formula
What it does: Ideal for seniors and diabetics, it's effective in treating dry, rough, sandpaper-like skin prone to fungal infections. All without leaving a greasy film. (No slipping after the pedicure!)
How it does it: It contains Clotrimazole, which treats roughness due to fungal infections and helps prevent further fungal infections. It also contains urea to lock in moisture to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Key ingredients: Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal. Urea hydrates and locks moisture into the skin.
Usage: Apply to clean, dry feet twice a day for two weeks, and then once daily until conditions are resolved.
3. Peeling Skin
Moist, itchy peeling skin between the toes and on the soles of the feet may be the signs of a fungal infection, also known as Athlete’s Foot. The Footlogix Peeling Skin Formula will effectively treat the underlying fungal infection, as well as provide relief from the associated itching, scaling, peeling, burning, and redness.
Peeling skin commonly occurs in people whose feet are very clammy or sweaty because moist skin macerates, or softens and breaks down, making the feet vulnerable to the fungus already present on the skin’s surface. Fungus can be easily picked up in public areas if your clients walk barefoot, where the infection can typically spread.
Recommendation: Footlogix Peeling Skin Formula
What it does: It provides relief of peeling, scaling, itching between the toes and irritation associated with fungal infections. It doesn't leave a greasy film. (No slipping after the pedicure!)
How it does it: It contains Clotrimazole, which treats symptoms associated with fungal infections. It may also help prevent Athlete's Foot by maintaining an anti-microbial environment.
Key ingredients: Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal.
Usage: Apply to clean, dry feet twice a day for two weeks, and then once daily until conditions are resolved.
4. Dry Skin
Dry skin commonly appears on the soles of the feet, and if left unchecked, it can have serious consequences for many people, especially for individuals with diabetes. Dry skin leads to micro lesions that can potentially lead to bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, which in turn, may result in severe consequences. Traditional oil-based products often interfere with the skin’s own natural processes by acting occlusive (to close up, block or seal), but in some cases, it can also accelerate the destruction or maceration of the skin on the feet. Dry skin on the feet requires humectants and added moisture, not oils.
Recommendation: Footlogix Very Dry Skin Formula
What it does: Ideal for seniors and diabetics, it moisturizes and restores very dry skin–without leaving a greasy film. (No slipping after the pedicure!)
How it does it: It contains Spiraleen®, a bioactive microalgae extract designed to facilitate cell turnover and prevent candida overgrowth. Additionally, aloe vera, urea, and ubiquinone softens the skin and provides antioxidant benefits. This product is fast acting. Incredible results seen in as little as 24 hours.
Key ingredients: Spiraleen® inhibits invasive germs with anti-microbial properties, resulting in a stronger skin barrier. Urea hydrates and locks moisture into the skin. Aloe vera softens, and ubiquinone offers antioxidant protection.
Usage: Apply to clean, dry feet once a day as part of a daily maintenance program.
5. Callused Skin
A callus is a protective build-up of the skin resulting from abnormal or recurrent pressure and friction. It’s a natural protective mechanism.
There are times when internal or external factors disrupt the equal distribution of body weight on your feet. Areas of the foot that are not used to that kind of repeated pressure tend to harden or thicken as a defensive measure. Incorrect footwear is also a common cause of calluses on the soles of the feet and sides of the big toe.
Recommendation: Footlogix Professional Pedicure
What it does: This transformational pedicure provides 10 steps to rejuvenate, repair, and moisturize skin beautifully! It's also gentle enough for even the most sensitive clients.
6. Toenail Fungus & Discolored Toenails
Lifting and discolored toenails are frequently a result of a common fungal infection. The yellow discoloration of the toenail can be very unsightly, causing a dramatic visual change to the nail. The toenail may be painful and appear darkened and thick with deep ridges. The toenail may also be brittle and can separate from the toenail bed. If toenail fungus treatment is not administered, the contagious infection could spread to other toenails and the skin of the feet. The Footlogix Toe Tincture Spray provides an easy, effective treatment for nail fungus.
Recommendation: Footlogix Toe Tincture Spray
What it does: It provides care for unsightly toenails prone to fungal infections.
How it does it: It contains Clotrimazole, an anti-fungal that treats symptoms associated with fungal infections. Panthenol and avocado oils soften without over-moisturizing. This formula penetrates into the skin under the nail to eliminate fungus.
Key ingredients: Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal. Panthenol and avocado oils soften to help transform unsightly, discolored toenails.
Usage: Remove nail-polish from toenails before application. Hold can in desired position and spray toenails from a distance of 1 inch. Allow to dry for 10-15 seconds. Apply twice daily until conditions are resolved. Tincture may also be used under the nail if wearing polish.
Universal Companies is proud to have a team of experienced spa advisors on staff and welcomes you to consult with our professionals about spa products and supplies, including ingredients, equipment, and retail. Dedicated to the success of spa professionals everywhere, we're grateful to be recognized with the American Spa Magazine Professional's Choice Award, Favorite Distributor of the Year for many consecutive years. (Thank you!)