It’s UV Safety Month, So Don’t Forget Your Feet!
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and while we’re diligent about applying sunscreen to our faces, shoulders, and backs, one area is consistently overlooked: our feet!
The skin on the tops of our feet is thin, delicate, and constantly exposed to direct sun during sandal season, making it highly susceptible to damage. At Barefoot Medical Spa and From the Ground Up Podiatry,we know that total body wellness includes protecting your feet, particularly from the sun’s harmful rays. This blog spells out a plan for doing exactly that!
The Risks of Unprotected Feet
Leaving your feet exposed to the sun can lead to more than just awkward tan lines from your sandals. The potential consequences include:
- Painful Sunburns: The skin on the top of the foot can burn quickly and severely, making it painful to wear shoes.
- Premature Aging: Just like the skin on your face, the skin on your feet can develop sunspots and wrinkles and lose elasticity from UV exposure.
- Skin Cancer: This is the most serious risk. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, can develop on the feet and even under the toenails. It’s often diagnosed in later stages simply because people don’t think to check their feet for suspicious spots.
Your Proactive UV Protection Plan
Protecting your feet is simple with a few consistent habits:
- Apply Sunscreen Generously:
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure to cover the entire top of your foot, your ankles, and your toes!
- Reapply Diligently:
Sunscreen isn’t a one-and-done application. Reapply at least every two hours and more frequently if you’ve been swimming or sweating.
- Perform Regular Self-Checks:
Once a month, inspect your feet thoroughly (including the soles, between toes, and around nails) for any new or changing moles or spots.
Look for the ABCDEs of melanoma:
- Asymmetry.
- Border irregularity.
- Color variation.
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser.
- Evolving size, shape, or color.
Repair & Rejuvenate: Post-Sun Skin Care
Even with the best protection, the sun can leave your feet feeling dry and depleted. Our spa services are designed to restore and rejuvenate sun-exposed skin!
For Restoring Moisture: Hydrating Skin Therapy
- This luxurious treatment is perfect for replenishing moisture and improving skin texture after time in the sun.
- It includes gentle exfoliation to remove dry skin, followed by a hydrating technique that helps it stay healthy and itch-free.
- Offered as a single treatment, but recommended as a series of 4 services monthly for best results!
For Ultimate Rejuvenation: The Foot Facial
- Consider this the ultimate in skincare for your feet. Our highly reparative Foot Facial begins with an uplifting aromatherapy soak.
- Then, exfoliating enzymes work deeper than a typical scrub to gently remove dry, sun-affected skin while hydrating clay replenishes healthy cells, leaving your feet looking and feeling amazing.
This UV Safety Awareness Month, make a commitment to include your feet in your sun protection routine. A little daily vigilance can prevent serious long-term damage! And for post-sun rejuvenation, let our experts pamper and restore the health of your skin.
Barefoot Medical Spa and From the Ground Up Podiatry are united by one goal: restoring health and confidence by helping everyone and anyone we can to look and feel their best. Rejuvenation and recovery are just a step away, so contact us at our conveniently located Stratham, NH, office and schedule an appointment today!
