With the arrival of heat, the season of open shoes begins and no one wants to have dry, rough or cracked feet. If the long, cold winter has left them in bad shape, you can try an exfoliating peel, which uses natural acids to eliminate dead cells, making the skin smooth and soft. Since peels are available in the form of plastic socks to put your feet in, it is easy to do the treatment at home. This will allow you to take care of your feet whenever you want.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Feet
Step 1. Wash your feet
To make sure they don't have any dirt, oil or other residue that could prevent the peel from getting into your skin, you should wash them with warm water and your usual shower gel or soap.
You may want to apply the peel after a shower or bath, as it is more practical for washing your feet
Step 2. Once your feet have been washed, soak them for 10-15 minutes in a basin, foot bath or bathtub
This allows you to soften the skin and facilitate the absorption of the active ingredients.
If you have particularly dry and rough skin, try soaking them for up to half an hour to soften them better
Step 3. At the end of the soak, pat your feet with a clean towel to prepare them for the peel
When you do this treatment they must be dry, otherwise the excess water could dilute the ingredients.
Part 2 of 3: Applying the Peeling
Step 1. Open the socks
Exfoliating peels generally come with easy-to-put on plastic socks containing all the active ingredients. Before proceeding, remove the socks from the box and open the sachet with a pair of scissors.
- The package is well sealed so that the ingredients do not seep out before use.
- Better to cut and put on one sock at a time. This way, while you are arranging the first sock, the liquid from the other will not leak.
Step 2. Once opened, slip them on as if they were normal socks
They have adhesive strips that allow them to be fixed, so detach the tabs and make them adhere to the feet.
Adhesive tabs are not particularly strong, so you may want to attach them to skin rather than plastic. Due to its composition, the epidermis guarantees better adhesion
Step 3. Put on a pair of cotton socks
Walking with plastic socks on your feet is uncomfortable and can make you slip. To improve the fit and facilitate movement, also wear a pair of regular socks.
You should use tight socks, which increase the effectiveness of the peeling as they favor the action of acids on the skin more
Step 4. Attach the socks to your feet, leave the active ingredients to act for an hour or according to the instructions on the package
To avoid slipping and falling, it is best to remain seated or lying down during the treatment, so take the opportunity to give yourself an hour of relaxation.
If you have particularly dry feet, leave them on for longer, up to a maximum of two hours. This can increase the effectiveness of the exfoliation
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Your Feet Following Treatment
Step 1. After the treatment is finished, take off the cotton socks
Gently remove the plastic ones as well and discard them. Massage the product residues into the skin.
Although your feet have absorbed the peeling ingredients, there will still be some residue on the skin, which can cause you to slip. To avoid falling, take your socks off near the basin or tub where you intend to wash your feet
Step 2. Rinse your feet with warm water to remove the last residue
You can take a shower or bath, or wipe them off with a damp cloth.
Step 3. You won't see the results right away
It usually takes 2-3 days for the feet to start peeling, sometimes even six. Dead cells will detach on their own, but if you want, you can facilitate exfoliation by massaging your feet with a loofah sponge or cloth.
- If after the peel the dead skin cells do not begin to peel, soak your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes to induce the process.
- While you are waiting for your feet to begin peeling and immediately after the process begins, do not moisturize them with creams or lotions, otherwise you risk interrupting the peel.
Advice
- To make your feet feel softer and smoother than ever, you can exfoliate them once a month.
- The alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids contained in exfoliating peels have no particular contraindications, but in case of calluses, warts, infections or skin sensitivity problems you should consult a dermatologist before using them. See your doctor even if you have diabetes.
- Once the exfoliation is complete, maintain the results you have achieved by using a full-bodied foot cream every day.
