4 mins
Healthier heels lead to happier clients
The ideal product to upsell with any pedicure is a good quality heel balm. This will not only improve the results of your treatment, but will make your job that much easier, preventing the heels from developing painful fissures and infection, which can be difficult to treat and take a long time to repair.
Dry cracked heels are a very common condition for many people, both men and women, and a condition which can be treated. The skin on the feet is usually a lot drier and more dehydrated than on other parts of the body, as our feet carry our entire body weight while walking and standing. This causes a build-up of dead skin cells which eventually turn into callouses and cracks on the heel area.
Booking regular pedicures is one way of eradicating the problem and preventing it from becoming worse, but this is a condition that requires continuous and ongoing care. It is therefore vital for clients to continue the therapy at home by applying a topical heel balm daily that is specifically designed to regenerate and repair the skin and restore skin hydration and softness.
Cracked heels can be as a result of dehydrated dry skin, footwear that fits poorly, standing for long periods of time, walking a lot and excessive weight. Certain skin conditions and illnesses, such as diabetes can also play a role, as well as other contributing factors, such as wearing open shoes and overexposure to water and outdoor elements, which strip the natural oils from the skin.
Generally cracked heels are considered a cosmetic problem, however, what usually starts as just dry skin on the heels can soon develop into an unsightly and severe problem. If left untreated the skin around the heels can, in time, become thicker and result in deep painful fissures that bleed – the ideal breeding ground for bacteria viruses and infections.
How to make the best choice
With the vast variety of heel balms on the market today, it has become more difficult to know where to start and which type of foot balm will really be the most effective. It is therefore important to understand the ingredients being used, and how they can assist in reducing and repairing cracked heels and feet.
Pede’ Heel Balm by Marshalls Traditional Healthcare contains natural oils, alpha bisabolol, shea butter and emollients that rapidly absorb and work quickly to replenish moisture.
LCN Urea 25% Foot Balm treats dry, stressed and heavily strained feet and is suitable for diabetics. It is non-slip and easy-touse with a stick-like applicator.
Check the ingredient list
Many Heel Balm formulas contain petrochemicals – this means that the formulation is made up of various types of petroleum, mineral oils, or petroleum waxes, which form an occlusive coating and barrier over the skin to prevent moisture loss. There is, however, concern that these formulations can, in fact, dehydrate the skin, as the thick coating has been shown to prevent the absorption of moisture into the skin. These formulations also usually feel thick and ointment-like, leaving a greasy residue on the skin.
In such cases, the user is usually advised to wear socks after applying the product. This is believed to help improve penetration of the heel balm when it is more about preventing feet from slipping and sliding in shoes or staining the bed sheets.
Products that contain parabens, lanolin and colouring are also not as easily absorbed as those that are formulated with more natural ingredients. Instead of being thick, greasy and difficult to apply, a natural creamy formulation is more suitable for all skin types, is easier to spread, and absorbs into the skin far quicker, providing instant relief for dry, cracked and thickened heels and feet.
Many heel balms are also fragranced, which, in certain instances, can irritate dry, cracked skin. Products fragranced with certain essential oils are therefore more beneficial than those that contain artificial fragrances.
Combinations that work
Heel Balms should do more than just help to nourish and restore rough, cracked or thickened skin on the heels and feet. Many contain high contents of urea to help exfoliate dry skin. Natural extracts, vitamins, moisturisers and exfoliants (AHAs) can be combined to work in unison with each other to help reduce and remove thickened skin, even after a pedicure has been done. They assist in maintaining moisture levels in the skin for a softer, smoother appearance, while the alpha hydroxy acids continue to gently exfoliate dry skin as it builds up, which keeps the skin in a healthy condition.
In addition, urea and coconut triglycerides can be combined to provide more intense moisturisation to the skin. Aloe vera and allantoin also act as natural hydrators, while naturally derived oils, such as almond oil, grape seed oil and evening primrose oil, help soften the skin. So instead of just coating the skin with petrochemicals, these natural moisturising factors are readily absorbed by the skin and provide immediate and intensive moisturisation.
Best solution for diabetics
Heel balms are the ideal solution for people with diabetes as they are generally more prone to dry cracked heels, have more sensitive, thinner skin, and reduced sensation in their limbs. They require extra care when dealing with their feet and should rather avoid using foot files and pumice stones, so as not to over abrade the skin. Removing too much skin from their feet can result in infections and diabetic foot ulcers, and even amputations.
Spalicious AHA Foot Rescue deeply hydrates feet and soften calluses with concentrate lactic and salicylic acid combined with coco butter. It is for use on the soles of feet or calluses only.
OPI Pro Spa Intensive Callus Smoothing Balm Softening foot and heel treatment balm contains lightweight grape seed, sesame, kukui, sunflower cupuaçu oils to restore dry, callused soles and condition cuticles.
SKNLogic Renew foot balm uses natural ingredients, such as sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, fig and cucumber extract, orange oil and shea butter to help soothe sore joints, hydrate and protect extremely dry, cracked skin.
Milk Solutions Hydrating Heel balm contains a blend of beeswax, shea butter and natural oils including rosemary to soften, smooth and protect heels from cracking.