What do you all use on your feet to make them beautiful? I swear I "buff" my heels and feet about every other day and they look terrible! I use a wooden file type, almost like a large emery board. They ARE smooth, but they don't look smooth...their all cracked and dry looking. I use Aveda Foot Relief about twice a week, too, which I really love, but that doesn't seem to help. It seems like there is a lot of skin that needs to come off, but I thought that was what the buffing was for?

I wear flip-flops CONSTANTLY, so I need help! Should I be "buffing" with something different? any recommendations? TIA

By Sandysmom on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 09:17 pm:

I know what you mean. I have very dry, cracked heels. I use a pumice a couple times a week. I haven't found any lotion that really helps in an awesome way. I tried the new product, Nexcare, that is supposed to seal the cracks, and all it did was turn my heels a funny color. My issue is that I should lotion my feet every night before I go to bed but I don't. I guess there's no miracle cure.

By Tink on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 09:21 pm:

Try to find a lotion with alpha hydroxy acids. I swear that made a huge difference in the appearance of my feet. I think buffing removes some of the skin but leaves the rest of it rough and uneven so it dries out and cracks. The AHAs really smooth my skin out. Jergens makes one that I like but I think Bath & Body Works has one too. I put it on every night before bed and any time I'm putting socks on since my feet get claustrophobic if I sleep in socks.

By Tripletmom on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 09:57 pm:

I use Aveeno Lotion-It seems to lock in moisture.I'm in my bare foot alot and it seems to work well.I use it twice a day.After my shower in the morning and just before bed.

By Ilovetom on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 11:17 pm:

I got a foot shaver from tweezerman.

Best 8.00 ever spend. Let the skin turn whitish in the water and shave it off.

By Hol on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 02:17 am:

I use a foot scrub. It is a lotion with grit in it, (pumice and apricot hulls, or some such). It smells like blueberries. After I wash my feet in the shower, I scrub them with the foot scrub. Don't scrub the tops of your feet too hard, tho. The skin is more sensitive than on the bottoms.
I get it in Walmart. It's with all the Nature's Garden bath gel and stuff. I think Freeman makes it. You can also get some that is peppermint scented. It makes your feet feel nice and cool.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 08:09 am:

I use the foot shaver AND the Aveeno lotion, and I'm a freak about my toenails.....they have to ALWAYS be neat and painted.

(of course, none of that does anything for my lovely bunion!)

By Reds9298 on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 09:08 am:

Thanks for the helpful hints ladies. I actually tried my Mary Kay Satin Hands kit lastnight (with the emollient, buffing cream,etc.) The buffing cream really helped, so I do think I need something with grit in it. I think I will keep using that a few nights a week and then check out the shaver and the stuff mentioned from Walmart.

I know Karen....my toes have to always look good during sandal weather!! That's why I'm bummed about my heels.
Thanks girls!

By Ilovetom on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 10:25 am:

Seriously the shaver gives great heels. Soak and shave. I looked at tweezerman and the shaver was 5 and the blades were 2 something. It's a steal.

By Emily7 on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 09:23 pm:

A foot shaver just does not sound nice, lol, but I will have to look into it. My dh has the ugliest feet alive! Of course that could be because feet just gross me out, unless they are mine or those of little kids.

By Kiki on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 11:06 pm:

this will sound crazy but try soaking feet in decaf. tea and then put a ton of vaseline on them. put socks on them overnight and see how that helps. my sister's podatrist told her to do that and it worked for her.

By Shellyg on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 12:59 am:

I use the foot thing from Tweezerman also! Works awesome! Also try the Burt's Bee Coconut foot cream. You put it on your feet at night (says cover with socks, but I never do) Don't know whats in the stuff but my feet are nice and smooth, no nasty cracked heels!

By Cocoabutter on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 01:19 am:

My aunt is a nurse practitioner and last winter I asked her what to do when my heels actually cracked open and were very painful.

She gave me some innovative advice. DUCT TAPE! (The objective here was to heal the cracks in my heels.) Yes, when you get out of the shower, wrap some duct tape around your heels to lock in the moisture which in turn makes the skin expand to close the cracks and eventually they would heal, which they did. She says, "It may ruin socks, but then again, sock can be replaced."

Her second trick was to apply A&D Ointment after the shower. Again, it can ruin socks, but socks can be replaced.

Her third suggestion was simply to use pumice stone on your heels to scrape away dead skin. I haven't had much luck with this, but maybe I am not using the right type of stone. ?

HTH

By Babysitbarb on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 08:52 am:

My feet and heals are like this all year round. I have used many different things and right now Im using the Gold Bond foot cream. It does make my heals and feet feel softer but, it's not completely healing them. If I don't keep something on them often my heals with get so soar it hurts to walk.

By Kym on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 12:47 pm:

Using callous stones is usually a bad choice unless it's done correctly. You have to put moisture back into your feet when you "scrape" off skin. It's important to exfoliate correctly especially while you are repairing big problems, I would reccomend you NOT use any stone/remover at this point, but rather get a high quality salt scrub as an exfoliator, soak your feet for at lease 20 minutes, use the foot scrub, apply a good balm/salve and keep your feet wrapped up overnight in light cotton socks. Do this three times a week for 1-2 weeks, than continue at least once a week! I see women's feet in horrible condition on almost a daily basis, and this regimen really HEALS problems.
And as a side note: avoid most pedicures unless they use similar to the above type products, they dry your feet out terribly, but indulging in the massage chairs while they PAINT your nails is a great treat!

By Reds9298 on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 02:08 pm:

I agree Emily...the foot shave is scaring me, but I'm sure it works!

Kym...You are the foot woman! I will try your regimen.

I love Burt's Bees stuff for hands, so I will try the foot cream mentioned.
Such great ideas! Thank you!