It’s tempting to cover them up for winter, but as Fiona Adams discovers, this is the perfect time for treating those toes
Once the weather turns and those open-toe sandals are back in the cupboard, most of us take off our nail polish (OK, a few lazy devils don’t even bother to do that) and resign our feet to a winter in boots, never to see the light of day until spring dawns. A festive party might offer them a rare night out but on the whole we retire our tootsies and forget all about them.
However, while hibernation might be great for hedgehogs, it’s definitely no good for your feet and by spring they can be in a right old state. I personally detest mine and conceal them at every opportunity. So, it was with some trepidation that I headed for the new Margaret Dabbs clinic in Guildford to have them treated to a signature Medical Pedicure, a 45-minute overhaul of skin and nails.
On arrival I was whisked upstairs to one of the swish, private rooms where I settled in the treatment chair and announced to my therapist Simone that I had “the worst feet in the world”. “That,” she countenanced “is what everyone says, but I can’t tell if you don’t take your shoes off…”
Shoes and socks duly removed, Simone, who spent three years in one of Margaret’s Dubai clinics with the Qatari royal family amongst her clients, inspected my rough skin, bunion scar, new bunion and rough, damaged big toe nails (sorry, hope you’ve had your dinner). I inspected Simone through embarrassed fingers, but she wasn’t perturbed in the slightest, even when she informed me that I also – almost certainly – had a fungal infection flourishing under two nails. Ugh.
At which point, the glamorous Margaret clad in silk blouse, black trousers and lovely shoes, popped her head around the door. With all my flaws on display I wanted my treatment bed to open up and swallow me, but in true professional style, Margaret simply focused on my feet. She announced that I must have had surgery on my nails at some point (true) and that I must also be in the habit of picking at any loose and dry skin (grotesque, but sadly also true).
Margaret founded her first foot clinic in London in 1998 and went on to create the Margaret Dabbs brand with a range of products and to establish a number of clinics across London and overseas. She has developed her signature Medical Pedicure and employs qualified podiatrists and professional beauticians to offer the ultimate in footcare. Regular pedicures (and manicures) are available but more serious problems can also be treated, ranging from laser treatment for plantar fasciitis, ganglians and bunion pain to the grinding down of gnarled nails and even temporary cosmetic replacements if you have no nails at all.
Needless to say, I don’t have the worst feet in the world and even if I did, it wouldn’t matter because Margaret’s staff are well trained, unfazed and can deal with almost every eventuality.
After thorough buffing, cleaning, scraping, cutting and filing plus a quick laser blast on my bunion, I emerged with soft skin and shiny, smooth nails. My feet were unrecognisable.
“I feel like I’m walking on air!” I said as I was leaving.
“That,” Simone laughed “is what everyone says!”
Margaret’s top tips for party feet:
- Try to ensure your shoes are as comfortable as possible; change them often during the day and wear flats while you’re travelling to work. Drink plenty of water, keep hydrated and put your party shoes on at the last minute.
- If you can’t fit a professional treatment into your schedule, try a little home TLC. With the right products you can achieve great results; always start with a foot file first (on dry skin before you bathe) to remove skin evenly, finely and quickly.
- Bathe your feet when they’re tired, then give them a treat. I recommend Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion daily; it contains emu oil, which reduces inflammation and keeps feet supple and moisturised.
- If you have sensitive feet (usually fair-haired and fair-skinned individuals), don’t be tempted to wear patent or hard leather footwear. Keep the leather light and soft.
- Chunkier heels distribute weight better and help with balance, giving improved support to the soft tissues and arch of the foot.
Reader offer: Book a MD Hand Lift treatment and receive a complimentary Intensive Anti-ageing Hand Serum worth £30 or book the signature MD Medical Pedicure treatment and receive a free Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion worth £25. Quote ‘Sheengate’ when booking. Ends Jan 31.
- Margaretdabbs.co.uk; 23a Chapel Street, Guildford. Tel: (0)1483 440367
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