If the very idea of having dry, rough, cracked or callused feet bothers you terribly, an Epsom salt foot bath is the ideal natural solution to make them soft and smooth. Warm foot baths are also perfect for relaxing. If you have any particular health problems, including diabetes and heart disease, consult your doctor before proceeding with the foot bath.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparing for the Footbath
Step 1. Buy Epsom salts
You can buy them at a pharmacy or herbalist's shop. Ask the store staff for advice and make sure they are suitable for use in a foot bath. Alternatively you can decide to buy them online, for example on the website www.macrolibrarsi.it.
All Epsom salts contain the same minerals of natural origin (magnesium and sulphate), but are available in different "grades", which vary according to their intended use (for example for human use or agricultural use)
Step 2. Purchase a foot bath tub
Ergonomic footbath tubs are available on the market, sometimes equipped with a foot hydromassage function, perfect for comfortably accommodating both feet. Search online or ask your pharmacist for advice.
- If you don't want to invest a lot of money in buying a professional foot massager, you can opt for a simple basin that is large enough to accommodate both feet (ideally it should allow you to stand upright). The water must reach the height of the ankles, therefore also evaluate the depth.
- If you want to buy a professional appliance, make sure you can add products to the water, in this case Epsom salts.
Step 3. Purchase a pumice stone
There are many varieties on the market, normally available both in pharmacies and supermarkets. Some pumice stones look like a simple pebble, others have a rope or handle. In this case there is no specifically recommended product, so make your choice based on your preferences.
Avoid natural pumice stones, they could be hard as real stones. Choose a stone specially created for cosmetics, otherwise you risk damaging the skin of your feet
Step 4. Choose the place to perform the foot bath
Do you prefer to relax in front of the TV? Or do you want to take your foot bath in the bathroom while listening to some music or reading a good book? Whichever room you choose, make sure it is properly organized before proceeding further.
If you wish to rinse your feet after diving, it is a good idea to stay in or near the bathroom
Step 5. Pay attention to the floor
If the floor of the chosen room is ceramic or wooden, cover it with a towel to avoid slipping due to some splashes of water escaping during the foot bath. If you intend to place your container on a carpet, protect it with a waterproof sheet.
Part 2 of 4: Wash Your Feet Before the Footbath
Step 1. Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap
Before soaking your feet in the foot bath, wash them to remove dirt. Get into the shower or tub, moisten your feet with water, soap them, and then rinse them.
Make sure you use a mild soap to avoid irritating the skin on your feet
Step 2. Wash them carefully
In addition to the bottom of the feet, don't forget to wash the top, too, the area between the toes and ankles. This step is particularly useful if you often walk barefoot or wearing open shoes.
Step 3. Blot your feet with a clean towel to dry them
In doing so, try to note which are the areas where the skin appears particularly dry, to treat them with greater care during the foot bath. Keep them in mind until it's time to exfoliate.
Part 3 of 4: Perform the Footbath with Epsom Salts
Step 1. Fill the bowl with hot water
Set the water to the hottest temperature you can tolerate without burning yourself. Be careful not to overfill the container, remember that when you immerse your feet in the foot bath, the water level will increase in proportion to their volume.
- Before pouring Epsom salts into the water, make sure the temperature is correct so as not to risk wasting them. If necessary, wash off some hot water and replace it with cold water.
- If you have a tub with foot hydromassage, activate it to make your experience even more enjoyable.
Step 2. Pour the Epsom salts into the hot water
The amount of salts needed will vary based on the amount of water. For a standard-sized foot bath or basin, add 100 grams of Epsom salts to the water.
Step 3. Dip your feet in the water
Carefully slide them into the foot bath to avoid spilling water and to make sure the temperature is really the right one. Once immersed, you can move them slowly to help dissolve the salts.
Step 4. Soak your feet for about 10-15 minutes
After this time you will notice that the rougher areas of skin will have become softer (and sometimes even slightly swollen). Once this stage has been reached, the feet will be ready for the exfoliating treatment.
Step 5. Perform a scrub with Epsom salts
Pour a small amount of water into a handful of salts and mix the ingredients to make a paste with a doughy consistency. Massage the scrub into your feet for a couple of minutes to get rid of dry skin.
Don't forget to exfoliate the toe area and the back of the heels, areas where dead skin cells may be less visible
Step 6. Dip your feet back into the water
Rinse them off the scrub.
Part 4 of 4: Exfoliate and Moisturize After the Foot Bath
Step 1. Exfoliate the skin of the feet using the pumice stone
Remove your feet from the water, but don't dry them yet. Before using the pumice stone on the skin, you will need to place it under water. With light to medium pressure, rub the pumice stone into the calloused areas of the feet. Continue for two to three minutes to effectively eliminate dead skin.
- When using pumice stone, be careful not to apply excessive pressure, otherwise you may cause skin irritation or infection. Remember that you shouldn't feel bad, so if you feel pain, rub your skin more gently or stop treatment if there is obvious irritation.
- The pumice stone can be used daily, but remember to always rinse it carefully after use. After some time, if it looks visibly damaged, you can try boiling it, but if it doesn't return to its natural state, you'll need to replace it with a new one.
- If you do not have a pumice stone available, or if you prefer not to use it, you can purchase a specific foot file available at any supermarket. The use is very similar to that of the pumice stone, rub it against the calloused parts of the feet, applying light or medium pressure, and stop using it immediately in case of pain.
Step 2. Rinse your feet
If the footbath water still appears clean, not filled with dead skin residue, you can soak your feet again for a final rinse. If the water appears cloudy or if you simply prefer to rinse with clean water, place your feet under a stream of warm running water.
Some people claim that Epsom salts have a detoxifying power and that therefore a thorough foot rinse is necessary to remove toxins expelled from the skin during the foot bath. There is no scientific evidence to support this thesis, but careful rinsing certainly can't hurt
Step 3. Wrap your feet in a towel
Allow the fabric to absorb most of the excess water, then pat the skin on your feet gently. Be careful not to rub the skin so as not to irritate it.
Step 4. Moisturize the skin
After drying your feet, apply a good moisturizer. Base your choice of product on your personal preferences, possibly avoiding scented creams.
- If your feet are not particularly dry or cracked, you can opt for a light cream, while if they are very rough it is advisable to choose a cream that is very nourishing or specifically designed for dry and cracked feet.
- After applying a mild oil or lotion, cover your feet with socks before going to bed.
- Avoid hydration with petroleum-based products as they may be carcinogenic.
Step 5. Be patient
Depending on how rough your feet are, it may take more than one foot bath to soften them. By following these steps regularly two to three times a week, you should see results within 7-14 days.
Step 6. Enjoy your smooth and soft feet
Even if you have achieved the desired result, do not stop taking care of your feet. Keeping them soft for the long term implies having to take care of them constantly, albeit with less frequent foot baths.
Advice
- For an even more effective foot bath, add lavender essential oil (to promote relaxation) or olive oil (for extra softness). If you have a professional foot bath tub, make sure you can add oils to the water by carefully reading the instruction manual.
- To make your beauty treatment even more complete, worthy of a real spa, switch to a pedicure after the foot bath. The cuticles will have softened and will be easy to push back, and even the toughest nails can be cut more easily.
- Hot water foot baths have been scientifically proven to relieve fatigue and fight insomnia.
Warnings
- During the scrub, use only specific tools for the feet and make sure they are perfectly clean to avoid the risk of infections.
- Watch out for any cuts or wounds on your skin to avoid irritating them. Avoid scented oils and any products that could be irritating.
- If you suffer from any other illness, consult your doctor before using Epsom salts.
- If you notice that your skin tends to appear even more dry or irritated following an Epsom salt foot bath, stop the treatments or reduce the frequency (for example, from three to once a week). If the irritation persists even after stopping, contact your doctor.
- Don't repeat the footbath more than two or three times a week, or your feet may become even drier.
- If you are diabetic, do not use Epsom salts for your foot baths. Also avoid antiseptic soaps, scented creams, products that contain iodine or that are designed to remove corns and warts through the use of chemicals.
- People who suffer from diabetes you hate disorders of peripheral blood circulation they should avoid hot water foot baths.
