Total Health Breakthroughs: Free Natural Health Newsletter and Alternative Health Articles

When you think of cosmetic surgery, feet aren’t usually the first things that come to mind — but more and more people are opting for surgery to make their feet prettier.  ”Foot Makeover” and “Toe Tuck” are just two of the terms that have come into vogue in recent years.

Cosmetic foot surgery is defined as surgery “done to manipulate or change a foot that has no underlying injury.” According to WebMD, when surveyed, the majority of foot and ankle surgeons (82%) thought cosmetic foot surgery was inappropriate.¹

Some women want to shorten their toes or have their feet made narrower, while others ask for collagen or silicone injections in the pads of their feet to make it more comfortable to wear high heels. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), “…urges consumers to carefully consider the relative risks and benefits of undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures.”²

So here are some tips to make your feet look and feel better without the surgery.

1. Exfoliate. Our feet can take quite a beating from walking around barefoot or even from ill-fitting shoes. Sandals expose your feet to dirt and grime that can embed itself into your heels. To make your own exfoliant, mix Epsom Salt with coconut oil or olive oil to make a paste. Rub the paste into your heels and calluses then wash off and dry thoroughly. I recommend doing this in the bathtub, sitting down, so you don’t slip. It can be messy, so doing it in the bath makes for easy cleanup.
2. Try paraffin. A paraffin wax treatment makes your feet ultra-soft feeling, plus it relaxes you, so you’re combining stress relief with your foot beauty treatment. Many spas offer paraffin wax treatments or you can purchase your own system at many of the big chain stores.
3. Get the right fit. Many people choose shoes that are ill fitting and this can cause calluses, corns, hammer toes, bunions, fallen arches and other foot problems.³ If you’re not sure of your size, most shoe stores or shoe departments have measuring devices that can help you pick the right size (length and width) for you — and it’s usually free.
4. Do foot and ankle exercises. Exercise has so many health advantages, and it can even benefit your feet. Just as muscle tone makes our bodies look better, exercise can also improve the look of our feet, ankles and calves.
5. Get a pedicure. Even if you don’t have it in your budget, you can give yourself a home pedicure or at least polish your toenails so they’ll look more “finished.” Be sure to keep your toenails trimmed and filed.

As you can see, there are many ways to have more attractive feet without resorting to unnecessary surgery. As Leonardo da Vinci said, “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”⁴

References

1. http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20040312/cosmetic-foot-surgery-on-rise.
2. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/foot-pain/risk-factors.html.
3. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/foot-pain/overview.html.
4. http://imechanica.org/node/3273.

[Ed. note: Jackie Silver is aging backwards. She shares her secrets, tips, and shortcuts on her web site, AgingBackwards.com, in her forthcoming book, on the syndicated TV show, Daytime, on Clear Channel radio's Mix 100.7, and as a sought-after speaker. For more information, click here.]