August 2019: Pedicure before Reflexology? Is it necessary?

Absolutely not!  Often when people come in for a Reflexology session, they will apologize for not getting a pedicure first.  I always tell them that it is NOT necessary to have a pedicure.  In fact, the callouses can be helpful for a Reflexologist to get an accurate reading of the feet!  In addition, you may have heard that it is important to take breaks from wearing nail polish.  For more on this as well as how to take care of your nails "post-polish", see below in our "Tip of the Month".  If you are looking for more information on what all those bumps, cracks and callouses mean then consider coming in for a Foot Reading and Reflexology session!
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Wellness Tip for August:  Under that Toenail Polish
So as I write this post, we are about mid-way through summer and it's about time to refresh the toenail polish.  After removing the old polish, you may notice that your nails are dull or even have a white or yellow hue to them.  What's going on here?

Our nails are even more absorbent than our skin.  When we apply polish, some of the pigment actually gets absorbed by the nail and this dries out the nail. (This is why it's hard to get that polish off!)  Many of the chemicals in polish removers also have a drying effect that affects the colour and integrity of the nail.  Very dry nails can be prone to crack and both these factors put us at risk for bacteria, mould or yeast to grow under the nail.  

To avoid these issues, consider taking a week or so off from wearing your polish every 1-2 months to give your nails a break.  Using vitamin E, or coconut oil on your nails at night can help restore their natural sheen and strength.  Essential oils such as lavender, geranium or grapefruit have antibacterial properties and can also moisturize when you massage them into your nail bed and cuticles.  If you get pedicures regularly, check with your salon to make sure they are using moisturizers and avoid excessive use of harsh chemicals to remove your polish.  In any case, it is a good idea to let your toenails spend at least some time "au naturel" this summer.