HOW TO PREP YOUR HANDS AND FEET FOR THE UPCOMING PARTY SEASON

DRY HANDS AND UNSIGHTLY FEET CAN SPOIL THE MOST ELEGANT OF ENSEMBLES. BUT IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO GET YOUR SKIN LOOKING FLAWLESS AGAIN. WE GET EXPERTS TO SHOW YOU HOW TO PREP YOUR HANDS AND FEET FOR THE UPCOMING PARTY SEASON

Silky smooth “The skin on the upper surface of the hands can get rough and dry. Exfoliating and moisturising your hands and feet, especially at night, can keep them soft and glowing,” says Dr. Simal Soin, Dermatologist, Three Graces, New Delhi. Sunscreen is also vital as our hands and feet are exposed to the harmful sun’s rays more than any other part of our body. Make sure you apply it at least 15 minutes before you step out and remember that it should contain SPF 15-20 or higher. The skin on the hands and legs attracts a lot of dust, so cleaning and drying them well is important, especially, the areas between the toes. But remember that soaking hands and feet in very hot water can lead to dryness. So, ensure that you use warm water instead. Soin also advises adding a moisturising oil like jojoba (which increases blood circulation), to warm water and then soaking hands and feet to soften them. You can use petroleum jelly, shea butter, cocoa butter, kokum or any natural product to moisturise. A hydrating treatment for your hands and feet at a spa can rejuvenate them too. Try a marine or paraffin treatment or even a cooling mask with hot towels to relax your hands, legs and feet. “At the very least, opt for a manicure and a pedicure once in six to eight weeks,” says Dr. Rashmi Shetty, Cosmetic Physician, Ra Skin and Aesthetics, Dr. Rashmi Shetty Initiative, Mumbai. If you sit for long periods of time, ensure that you move your feet and ankles frequently, so as to facilitate circulation. 

    Helping hands The skin on the upper surface of the hands tends to sag and get dry. So, moisturising them well is essential. “If you’re looking for additional help, a dermal filler like Juvederm that contains hyaluronic acid is the best, as the filler spreads easily and leaves behind a fuller look,” says Soin. Apart from the harmful sun’s rays, even the chemicals present in detergents can harm the skin. “To avoid any damage, you must always wear gloves while working, especially while washing utensils and clothes,” suggests Shetty.
    Carry a hand lotion or moisturiser in your bag and use it at least twice a day to avoid wrinkles and calluses. “To soften rough hands, apply and massage equal quantities of hand cream and coconut oil before going to bed.
    Apply cuticle cream during the day,” says Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Chairperson, Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies. 

    Sole therapy Blistered toes and cracked heels can be an unseemly sight. But just a little bit of care can go a long way in helping you put your best foot forward. “High heels can lead to sore feet if you are standing or wearing them for a long period of time. Wearing high heels regularly, especially stilettos can have long-term negative effects on many other parts of the body, as well as the feet. High heels affect knees the most and can lead to hind-foot pain, hammer toes, bunions and damage leg tendons,” cautions Soin. In fact, it’s not just heels that can cause sore feet — a pair of tight shoes can also lead to problems. “Excessive sweating and walking around in shoes and socks all day can cause fungal infections. These infections can cause flaking of the skin, itching, blisters, and peeling. More often than not, our feet go through severe pain due to the load they carry the entire day,” adds Ishween Anand, Founder of Nyassa. She recommends indulging in a foot soak using bath salts such as Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts, which relax the muscles and draw out toxins. “You can add essential oils to warm water — peppermint relieves foot aches and muscle pains, lavender soothes and relaxes the feet and mind, and tea tree helps heal fungal infections and athlete’s foot,” she shares. Getting rid of dead skin cells by rubbing the feet with a pumice stone, scrub or a natural loofah is advisable. “Alternatively, one can also make a quick salt scrub at home with a mixture of carrier oils such as olive or sweet almond, salt and a few drops of essential oils,” says Anand. After this, apply a moisturising lotion or petroleum jelly and slip on a pair of socks for the night to hold in the moisture. This will help you wake up to soft skin. A good brisk massage also helps improve circulation.