Why It's Important to Wear the Right Shoe Size

According to a 2018 study, only about 28 to 37% of people are actually wearing shoes of the right length and width.

Several studies have now demonstrated how ill-fitting shoes can have a negative effect on health and why well-fitting shoes are so important.

Peripheral neuropathy is a painful and usually irreversible condition with symptoms of pins and needles in the feet and a decreased ability to feel where the feet are in space.

A 2017 study found that, among older adults with a history of foot lesions, such as corns and calluses, only 14% were wearing the right size shoes. Thirty seven percent of the population reported evidence of neuropathy; tight-fitting shoes can worsen the symptoms of neuropathy by putting pressure on the nerves and potentially causing wounds and ulcers due to a lack of sensation from friction and pressure.

Foot Pain and Deformities

A 2018 scientific review of 18 studies looking at shoes and foot problems found that poorly-fitting shoes were associated with foot pain and foot conditions, such as lesser toe deformity (hammer toe), corns, and calluses. Notably, people with diabetes tended to wear shoes that were too narrow.

It's not just shoes that are too tight that can lead to pain and deformity. In some cases, the shape of the shoe may not be a good fit to contour to the shape of your foot. If you already have a foot deformity of some kind, for example, shoes with a smooth shape that causes pressure on the irregularly-shaped bony areas of your foot can make it worse.

Ingrown Toenails

If your shoes are too narrow or short, the extra pressure placed on your toe can lead to the edge of a toenail growing into your skin. Ingrown toenails can cause pain and the skin around your nail to become red or infected.

Ingrown toenails are most common on the big toe, but can also occur on other toes. To avoid this issue, ensure that you have properly fitting shoes and are not cutting your nails too short or rounded at the edges.

Decreased Quality of Life

If your shoes are constantly hurting your feet, the rest of your life is bound to suffer for it. According to one study, women in particular noted that foot symptoms negatively affected their quality of life.4 This is likely because women's shoes are often not designed to be as functional or comfortable as men's shoes.

In addition, foot pain and foot conditions related to poor-fitting shoes can lead to falls, reduced mobility, and related loss of independence in older adults.

Shoe Size Changes

Many often think of foot size as being static; once you reach age 18, or at least when you stop growing, your feet no longer change in size. But your feet change in many ways over the course of a lifetime:

• As you age, tendons relax and your feet can naturally widen.
• Certain medical conditions and medications cause water retention, which can cause foot swelling (and, therefore, size difference).
• During pregnancy, feet are affected by hormones that often result in an increase in shoe size.
• Even in younger people, feet swell slightly by the end of the day. They also swell when engaging in an upright activity such as walking, running, or playing sports.

While your shoes may fit right in the morning or before your workout, they may be too tight later in the day. Even people who wear "sensible" shoes can experience problems with fit. For this reason, it's best to try on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are most swollen.

Signs Your Shoes Are the Wrong Size

Pain and discomfort are some obvious signs that your shoes are the wrong size, but sometimes that is less clear. If you notice any of these issues, it may be time to check your shoe size:

• Bruising on your toenail:
• Toenail loss or damage
• Blisters
• Calluses
• Skin irritation around your toenails

You can visit a shoe store to be properly measured. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the ideal frequency of foot measurements. Some experts recommend that you measure your feet at least once or twice a year, or at least any time you buy new shoes.

In general, buying shoes with a toe box made of soft, expansive material is always a better choice than those made of a hard material.

It is also worth noting that not every brand of shoes has the same fit, regardless of size. For example, a size 8 in one brand may feel more like a size 7.5 in another. If possible, try on before you buy.

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Fingernails: Do's and Don'ts For Healthy Nails

Your fingernails — composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin — grow from the area at the base of the nail under your cuticle. Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration.

Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age. Fingernails can also develop white lines or spots due to injury, but these eventually grow out with the nail.

Not all nail conditions are normal, however. Consult your doctor or dermatologist if you notice:

• Changes in nail color, such as discoloration of the entire nail or a dark streak under the nail
• Changes in nail shape, such as curled nails
• Thinning or thickening of the nails
• Separation of the nail from the surrounding skin
• Bleeding around the nails
• Swelling or pain around the nails
• Failure of nails to grow out

Fingernail care: Do's

• To keep your fingernails looking their best:
• Keep fingernails dry and clean. This prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails. Repeated or prolonged contact with water can contribute to split fingernails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing dishes, cleaning or using harsh chemicals.
• Practice good nail hygiene. Use a sharp manicure scissors or clippers. Trim your nails straight across, then round the tips in a gentle curve.
• Use moisturizer. When you use hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too.
• Apply a protective layer. Applying a nail hardener might help strengthen nails.
• Ask your doctor about biotin. Some research suggests that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails.

Fingernail care: Don'ts

To prevent nail damage, don't:

• Bite your fingernails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your fingernail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection.
• Pull off hangnails. You might rip live tissue along with the hangnail. Instead, carefully clip off hangnails.
• Use harsh nail care products. Limit your use of nail polish remover. When using nail polish remover, opt for an acetone-free formula.
• Ignore problems. If you have a nail problem that doesn't seem to go away on its own or is associated with other signs and symptoms, consult your doctor or dermatologist for an evaluation. 

If you rely on manicures or pedicures for healthy-looking nails, keep a few things in mind. Stick to salons that display a current state license, and work only with technicians also licensed by the state board. Don't have your cuticles removed — they act to seal the skin to the nail plate, so removal can lead to nail infection. Also, make sure your nail technician properly sterilizes all tools used during your procedure to prevent the spread of infection.

You might also ask how the foot baths are cleaned. Ideally, a bleach solution is used between clients and the filters are cleaned regularly.

It's easy to neglect your nails — but taking some basic steps can keep your fingernails healthy and strong.

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Health Benefits of a Foot Soak

Why Is a Foot Soak Beneficial?

A foot soak is more than just relaxing with your feet in warm or hot water. It’s what you add to the water that makes a foot soak beneficial. The two main ingredients used in a foot soak are Epsom salt and vinegar.

What is Epsom salt? Epsom salt is a natural mix of magnesium and sulfate. Don’t be confused by its name, because Epsom salt is nothing like table salt.

How do I use Epsom salt in a foot soak? Dissolve a half-cup of Epsom salt into a tub or bowl of warm water. Soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes once a week.

What are the health benefits of Epsom salt? Epsom salt can help soften your skin and leave it less prone to bacteria overgrowth. Other health benefits include:

• Relieves stress and helps you feel relaxed
• Eases pain and muscle cramps
• Boosts nerve and muscle function
• Helps prevent blood clots

It also has more specific uses like:

• Reduces and prevents athlete’s foot
• Loosens skin to remove splinters
• Treats toenail fungus
• Soothes pain from sprains and bruises‌
• Eases gout pain and discomfort

What is vinegar? Vinegar is made from fermented things like grapes and apples. It’s high in acetic acid.

The process used to create apple cider vinegar, for example, involves using yeast to break down the sugar in apples. First, it turns into alcohol, and then bacteria turns the alcohol into acetic acid. The end liquid has a lot of B-vitamins and polyphenols, also known as antioxidants.

How do I use vinegar in a foot soak? To soak your feet using vinegar, mix two parts warm or hot water with one part vinegar in a tub or bowl. Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes once a week.

What are the health benefits of vinegar? Vinegar has natural antibacterial properties, so bacteria have a hard time growing on your skin. If you have fungi on your feet, including athlete’s foot, vinegar may be less effective. But it does fight bacteria that cause odor.

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Yellow Chrome Nails The Color Of Summer

Yellow Chrome Nails Are Basically Sunshine On Your Fingertips. This has been said to be the color of the summer this year! What better than pairing the color of sunshine with a trendy outfit!

The psychology of the color yellow tells us that the color has traditionally been a symbol of joyfulness, happiness, and energy and is associated with summer months.

To go along with the sunshine, warmer temps, and blooming plants, manicure lovers are obsessing over pastel nail polish shades with cool-girl chromatic finishes.

Alongside soft-girl colors like pale blue and light lavender, a more unexpected butter yellow is one to watch for the spring season. Moreover, near-neon shades of yellow-ish chartreuse are expected to be a major nail polish trend as the weather heats up. Source

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Dazzle Dry Best Selling Colors

 

 

These are some examples of Dazzle Dry Nail Polishes best selling colors. Check them out! Get your manicure and pedicure with your favorite today!

Why Men Should Get Manicures

Going one step further, if you’re a professional—in any job from a bartender to a financial planner—your hands are front and center in your work and with your clients. Clean, manicured hands are a detail that doesn’t go unnoticed.

Why is men’s nail care important? 

“It’s important for both men and women, but I believe it’s equally important for men to take care of their nails because many men are rougher with their hands, which can result in dry hands and calluses,” DeLuca Rivera explains. “Plus, don’t overlook that your partner will appreciate the upkeep.”

What’s involved in a man’s manicure?

A basic manicure includes soaking the hands, scrubbing the nails with a brush, cleaning under the nails, clipping the nails, pushing back the cuticles, buffing the nails and, finally, massaging the hands with a hydrating hand cream to moisturize and to boost circulation.

How about best practices for keeping your nails healthy at home?

“When you get a professional manicure/pedicure, it’s not just about clipping nails, it’s about the experience and treating yourself to self-care service that every man deserves,” DeLuca Rivera says. That said, there are tips for keeping your hands looking great in between appointments.

• CLIP YOUR NAILS with a dedicated nail clipper (not scissors!) and file with an emery board
• PUSH BACK YOUR CUTICLES using a cuticle pusher or an orange stick. Be gentle!
• USE CUTICLE OIL to moisturize your cuticles and keep hangnails at bay—a little goes a long way.
• USE A SCRUB TO REMOVE DEAD SKIN. Follow up with a moisturizer to keep hands soft.

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Cuticle Removal

 Quick tips on how to maintain your cuticles at home if you are unable to make it to a nail appointment!