Dazzle Dry: Nail and Cuticle Care

 

Apply Dazzle Dry Nail & Cuticle Oil to keep the nail plate and surrounding skin conditioned, moisturized, flexible, and less prone to breakage and hangnails.

Are High Heels Bad for My Feet?

In a perfect world, style and comfort would exist side by side, and you’d never need to trade health for fashion. For those irresistibly drawn to high heels, there’s little common ground. So you can better understand the toll that heels take on your body, let’s review the physical effects that high heels create...

Unnatural angles

Perhaps the biggest challenge in wearing heels comes from the downhill slope that’s forced upon your feet. The bulk of your weight rests on the ball and toes of your feet. This ramping effect potentially leads to six physical effects with negative impacts on the structures of your feet and beyond. These include: 

1.) Posture changes

Posture refers to the overall balance of your body, both at rest and in motion. Good posture reflects an even distribution of load shared from head to toe, while poor posture sees larger than normal loads concentrated in certain areas. Poor posture caused by high heels results from the weight that your forefoot is forced to absorb. Your body mechanics automatically shift to restore some type of balance. However, this shift forces other joints out of their normal relationships, most commonly the knees, hips, and lower back. 

2.) Body imbalance

Your feet are your stabilizing connection with the ground, the basis for balance and support of the rest of your body. For that, you require all 26 bones, 33 joints, and supporting soft tissue to maintain stability. Yet heels lift about half of your feet out of the balance equation. Anatomical components in your feet and legs must compensate, under strain, to maintain your ability to balance in an upright position. 

3.) Foot pain

High heels force a misalignment of body weight that’s forced onto the ball of the feet, overloading the area and potentially causing chronic pain conditions related to the extra weight forced on the forefoot. 

4.) Arches and heels

The Achilles tendon has a range of motion through which it expands and contracts normally. In heels, the tendon is forced into its contracted position, leading to pain and irritation of the tendon. The arches of your feet are held in their curved shape by a band of tissue called the plantar fascia. The uneven distribution caused by wearing heels can cause micro tears in the fascia tissue, causing pain and inflammation that contributes to an often-chronic pain condition called plantar fasciitis. 

5.) Hips and knees

The normal orientation of joints in the hips and knees must adjust to absorb the altered load from high heel weight distributions, leading to aches, pains, and, potentially, deterioration of these joints.

6.) Fractures, sprains, and tears

The lack of foot stability can lead to turned ankles, missed steps, and even simply increased forces that cause stress fractures. 

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Why Do Your Feet and Ankles Swell?

Having swollen feet and ankles is a common problem, especially at this time of year when temperatures are climbing. The swelling is caused by an accumulation of fluid: you might hear your podiatrist refer to this problem by its medical name, oedema. You develop oedema if fluid leaks from tiny blood vessels called capillaries into the surrounding tissue. Your feet and ankles are particularly prone to swelling due to the effect of gravity – it’s difficult for your circulatory system to carry the build-up of fluid away from these areas.

When your feet and ankles are puffy, the skin may look overstretched and shiny. The swelling makes you feel uncomfortable and stiff, so it’s more challenging than usual to be active. Your normal shoes and hosiery could well get too tight, in which case wearing them may lead to blisters and sores.

Swollen Feet and Ankles – Common Causes

• Hot weather – blood vessels expand, allowing heat to escape in order to help you cool down. However, fluid can easily escape too and flood your tissue.
• Sitting or standing for long periods – being stationary leads to poorer circulation and fluid pooling in your feet and ankles.
• Being overweight or obese – excess weight puts your lower limbs and circulation under strain, which makes fluid build-ups more likely.
• Aging – as you get older, your circulatory system gets weaker. You’re therefore more susceptible to swollen feet and ankles.
• Eating too much salt – adults should consume less than six grams per day to help protect their circulation. Consuming too much disrupts your normal salt/water balance; your body tries to compensate by holding onto more fluid than it should.
• Side effect of some medications – you may develop oedema when taking certain prescription drugs, such as steroids and blood pressure tablets.
• Pregnancy – an expectant mother’s body retains more water than usual, while the weight of the baby can impair the circulation in her lower limbs, making swollen feet and ankles more likely.

Tips for Reducing the Swelling at Home

There are various ways you can try to relieve swollen feet and ankles. The aim is to boost your circulation and encourage blood vessels to reabsorb the fluid and carry it away.

• Raise your feet and ankles a little above heart level – you could lie down and rest them on pillows for half an hour. Gravity will help to move the fluid.
• Massage swollen areas – apply light pressure, working upwards from your feet.
• Try gentle exercise – lie on an exercise mat, raise your legs and make a pedaling motion, as if you’re riding a bike. Swimming can help too.
• Enjoy a footbath – place your feet and ankles in a bowl of warm water and Epsom salts to soothe them and improve blood flow. (Please note: diabetics shouldn’t soak their feet.)
• Take regular breaks if you have to stand or sit for long hours – ideally go for a walk.
• Reduce your salt intake, if you consume more than six grams per day, by avoiding foods such as crisps, microwave meals and cooking sauces.
• Stay well hydrated – drink about two liters of water per day. Your body ends up holding onto more fluid than it should if you’re dehydrated.
• Wear comfortable, breathable shoes – this isn’t the time to be squeezing your feet into impractical footwear. You may need slightly bigger socks – wear some that cool feet by wicking away sweat.

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Pumpkin Nail Art - Hand Painted/Fall Themed Nail Design Tutorial

 

Here's a tutorial for a fall themed/hand-painted pumpkin nail art design.

3 Simple Steps to Beat Plantar Fasciitis Heel Pain

Persistent heel pain can slow you down—whether you’re running, jumping, or strolling the grocery store aisles. In many cases, a common foot condition called plantar fasciitis is the culprit.

This often-painful condition involves the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot, supporting your arch and absorbing the impact of daily movement. When this tissue becomes irritated or damaged, everyday activities such as walking or standing can become a struggle. Plantar fasciitis can affect one foot—or both—and tends to develop over time.

The good news is that, in most cases, simple at-home measures, such as stretching, wearing a night splint, and investing in supportive footwear, can make a significant difference, says Sean Peden, MD, a Yale Medicine foot and ankle surgeon. But it’s important to first clear up some common misconceptions about the source of discomfort. “Often, people think heel spurs are a cause of plantar fasciitis, but that’s not true,” Dr. Peden says. “We have more and more evidence that shows plantar fasciitis is related to tightness, tension, and stress on what we call the heel cord, meaning the Achilles tendon and calf muscles, which is continuous with the plantar fascia.”

In plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia sustains repetitive microtears—often from impact activities such as running, dancing, or walking. As your body tries to heal, it forms scar tissue around the damaged area, which can lead to pain or a tight, pulling sensation in the heel. “It’s like death by a thousand cuts, not just one,” Dr. Peden says.

Another misconception, Dr. Peden adds, is that rolling the bottom of the foot along a frozen water bottle or a tennis or lacrosse ball will massage the area and help ease plantar fasciitis. “You’ll see these recommendations all over the internet. And while it may offer short-term pain relief, the force of rubbing the plantar fascia against something can only aggravate it more,” he explains.

Fortunately, Dr. Peden says there are three simple, evidence-based ways to treat the pain—starting with a simple tool you can use at home.

Step 1: Try a night splint

Once Dr. Peden diagnoses plantar fasciitis, typically through a physical examination and a conversation about symptoms, his first line of treatment is often a night splint. The splint, which is made of padded, flexible materials, holds your foot at a 90-degree angle while you sleep, keeping the plantar fascia gently stretched. If sleeping with the splint feels uncomfortable, wearing it for a few hours—or even as little as a 30 minutes—while resting with your foot elevated, can help.

“It works for many people because your foot gets tight overnight and by holding the plantar fascia in a flexed position, you are essentially stretching it while your sleep,” Dr. Peden says. ”It can bring relief in a matter of days. Still, we suggest patients use it consistently for two to four weeks and stop when the pain is gone.” Night splints can be prescribed by an orthopaedic physician, podiatrist, or physical therapist. They can also be purchased over-the-counter, but it’s best to obtain guidance from a health care professional to make sure your diagnosis is correct. Insurance plans usually cover the cost, Dr. Peden adds.

Step 2: Stretch it out

Stretching can help prevent plantar fasciitis and is one of the most effective treatment approaches. When the calf muscles (chiefly the gastrocnemius and soleus) and the Achilles tendon (which connects the calf to the heel) are tight, they pull excessively on the heel with every step, increasing strain on the plantar fascia. Over time, this tension contributes to microtears and painful inflammation.

Targeted stretching of the calf, Achilles, and plantar fascia, can relieve pressure, increase elasticity, and support the healing of the damaged tissue. Dr. Peden recommends two simple, effective stretches:

• Calf (gastrocnemius) stretch: Stand at arm’s length from a wall and place your hands flat against it at shoulder height. Step one leg back, keeping it straight with your heel on the ground. Bend the front knee slightly and lean forward until you feel a stretch in your calf. Hold the position for 15 to 30 seconds and switch sides. Do two to three sets, three times a day.
• Plantar fascia stretch: Sit in a chair with both feet on the floor. Cross the ankle of the foot you want to stretch over the opposite knee. With one hand, gently pull your toes back toward your shin. Hold the stretch, which you should feel along the arch of your foot, for 15 to 30 seconds. Release and then repeat on the other foot if needed. Do two to three sets, three times a day.

Completing these exercises should take about five minutes. “If you can’t do these three times a day, at least make sure you stretch in the morning,” Dr. Peden says. The morning session is the most important, he stresses, as the muscles tighten overnight and benefit from being worked on soon after you wake up.

Step 3: Check your footwear

Shoes are important when it comes to managing plantar fasciitis. “Half the time, the shoe is a major factor. If we get someone in a nice, supportive shoe, many people start to feel better,” Dr. Peden says.

By supportive, he means you should look for a shoe with good arch support—meaning the insole doesn’t collapse when you walk/or run—and a stable, cushioned heel that absorbs shock and fits snugly to prevent excessive movement of the foot inside the shoe. This helps reduce strain on the plantar fascia and maintain proper alignment from the ground up.

He also strongly cautions against walking barefoot, especially on hard surfaces, because there is little arch support or stress absorption. If you prefer not to wear your regular shoes indoors, Dr. Peden suggests getting a pair of comfortable and supportive house shoes or slippers. When pain flares up, rest is just as important as treatment. If plantar fasciitis pain is significant, Dr. Peden advises that people limit high-impact activities. “Of course, I want people to stay active, but this is not something you can exercise your way out of,” he says. “You may need to cut back on your walking, running, and jumping activities while this heals.”

Instead, he suggests cross-training with a low-impact activity such as swimming, which allows you to remain active without further irritating the heel. If none of the above recommendations for treating plantar fasciitis work, Dr. Peden advises talking to a foot specialist about treatment options such as cortisone injections or surgery. For most people, plantar fasciitis won’t become a chronic problem, he adds. “If you stretch and you’re diligent about all the steps above, symptoms will improve but they often persist for a few months. The average case of plantar fasciitis takes three to six months to resolve,” Dr. Peden says.

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Seasonal Skin Reset – Optimizing for Fall Radiance

 

Wondering if you really need a whole new skincare routine just because the seasons are changing? Great news — you don’t!

I’m Dr. Dray, board-certified dermatologist, and in today’s video, I’m walking you through a Seasonal Skin Reset to help your skin thrive through fall and into winter — without overhauling your routine or wasting money on hype.

DIY French Tips Halloween Nail Art

 

Upgrade your classic French tips with spooky French tips!