Pedicure advice - cracked heels

[Ophala]

before anyone tells me otherwise i have done a search on this subject but can't find the answers i'm looking for!!

the problem is i have a couple of pedicure clients that have quite severe dry, cracked skin on their heels. during the treatment i used my foot file and OPI pedicure scrub and than massage and smooth also by OPI. Even after the treatment their feet were still quite rough.

I told them I didn't want to file down too much in case it got sore but if they came for regular pedicures I could do it gradually. Was this the right thing to do or should I have carried on filing??

I sold one client OPI pedicure scrub which she is going to use a few times a week with a moisturiser she has at home.

As I am trained with OPI I only use their products so don't really want to recommend another brand when I don't use it myself.

Anyway - sorry this is so long but any help would be much appreciated!!

 

[loubylou]

Yes hun you did the right thing, the only thing i would have done differently is to advise to moisturize daily :hug:

 

[jojosnails]

I 've been taught to use the smooth before the footfile and scrub. As it helps to break down the dead skin cells, therefore making the file and scrub more effective.

 

[izzidoll]

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Is there no moisturiser in your pedicure system?

CND Cucumber Heel Therapy is the best thing I have ever used for dry cracked heels....I know you don't want to hear about products other than OPI....but this really works.

 

[hayls]

My Spa pedicures include a paraffin wax treatment, and this does the world of good to cracked heels!
You shouldnt try to file off all the dry skin in 1 go imo, as you could go too far as you say and the client ends up sore!
I use Creative Spa products and at the end of the treatment I use Cucumber Heel Therapy!!! Its amazing stuff with fantastic results! Do a search for it and read other peoples thoughts on it!!

I agree with loubylou, just try to get the client into a moisturize daily routine and they will soon see a difference!

 

[purpleivy]

I know I haven't passed my pedicure VTCT... that will happen a week on Wed I hope! But from my own experience, the best way is indeed moisturise ( do mine twice a day) and use a foot file after showering. At least, that is the summer routine when I am wearing sandals. I wear boots in winter so life becomes a little easier. I only have a few clients at the moment, but can easily see who has a quick swipe of the footfile and dollop of moisturiser every day!

 

[bexi]

I also use OPI, and wot i do is put on soften then wrap in cling film and put them in heated booties, then use scrub straight after the cling film is removed - really works for me!

 

[gillian w]

If someones feet have been neglected for a long time and they have very hard cracked skin there really is only so much you can do in a one off treatment.
I advise if its that bad that they see a chiropodist who can then shave off the skin and then they need to have regular pedicures from then on and also have a homecare routine.
Of course you can make their nails look great and also anything will help the skin but sometimes it does need more than we can do.

 

[ClaireWalsh]

You were defo right IMO to just file down as much as you felt appropriate and advise regular treatments. Removing too much skin at once can promote the growth of tougher skin, much like scar tissue. Paraffin wax is wonderful for dry heels, and if you can retail a good, rich foot cream that will help no end!

 

[Ophala]

I 've been taught to use the smooth before the footfile and scrub. As it helps to break down the dead skin cells, therefore making the file and scrub more effective.

yes i do this as well.

routine is;
soften, wrap foot in towel while i do cuticle work/shaping
file and then apply scrub straight after
foot mask on top of foot then repeat file/scrub on other foot
then i massage and apply smooth

in terms of a moisturiser is it best to use the soften or smooth? i never know!!

unfortunately i don't offer a paraffin treatment, although I have heard they are excellent for dry skin

thanks for all your advice!

 

[becca boo]

parafin is good but have you thought of a hot oil pedi? maintence is a huge thing if the client doesnt keep it up it doesnt matter. Try the mask on the whole foot not just the top. moisture is a huge reason that they can be dry or not. exfoliation alone is not going to do everything.

I teach with opi i do like there products but there is a product you can find it at Prolinc.com its callus eliminator a aha product put it on the heel and let soak for about 5 mins and when you file it gets sooo much more off its an amazing product i wont do pedis with out it

 

[aj1]

Becca,

Do you charge more for the CE application, if so do you mind telling me how much more? I use and love this stuff too and right now I'm not charging extra unless they have really bad feet and will need to use a lot.

Thanks,

aj

 

[becca boo]

i dont charge more for it. For a pedi I charge 45 but that is beacause I do a sugar scrub, the CE and use steam towels that are sented to remove the scrub. A pedi at a chop shop is around 30/35 so 10 dollars more for that much extra really isnt anything