Healthy Feet are Happy Feet Featured

Healthy Feet are Happy Feet

Healthy Feet are Happy Feet

Are you ashamed to take off your shoes? Having heels like sandpaper is no laughing matter.

Your feet are probably the last part of your body that you care about although you depend on it all day. Our feet support tremendous daily pressure for they are the foundation that we stand on, keeping us mobile in our everyday lives. A simple regimen of daily care and cure can help keep your hardworking feet healthy and happy.

Cracked heels have become a common foot problem for many Malaysian women which are caused by extremely dry and calloused skin especially as skin loses its elasticity due to ageing. Cracked heels also referred to as heel fissures, the cracking and splitting of the skin as the skin loses its suppleness and elasticity, it cracks under simple pressures such as that from walking. Other causes of pressures that may attribute to cracked heels are prolonged standing, overweight, pregnancy, lack of support around the heels or even dry climate.

Did you know?

Cracked heels may also be due to natural moisture loss from our feet such as not moisturising our feet enough, dehydration or not drinking enough water, using harsh and dry soap or taking a very hot bath or shower.

Don’t give away your age

You may think it’s no big deal but cracked heels may make you look older than your age. So, for a complete head to toe beauty, to keep old age at bay, show your feet a little love by giving them constant care, hydration and a good heel balm containing urea. Urea is a moisturising agent which helps to nourish the most parched skin surfaces as well as helping to seal up the cracks on skin. Regular use of a good heel balm revives and soothes, resulting in softer, smoother, healthier and younger looking skin.

Try this

The quickest way to baby smooth heels is by using DU’IT Roll-On Heel Balm. It is the first and only Roll-On Heel Balm for seriously dry, rough and cracked foot and heels in the market. Roll-On Heel Balm is the most convenient way to repair cracked heels since it is designed in such a way that it is easy to carry around. Just keep them in your bag and apply it anytime when your heels are dry. DU’IT Roll-On Heel Balm, is uniquely formulated in an easy-to-use roll-on application, providing the easiest and most convenient way to repair dry, rough, thickened and cracked foot and heels. Enriched with Urea, this concentrated super hydrating formula is fast acting, non-greasy and easily absorbed. All you have to do is apply it at least twice daily for visible results within 5 days.

Tips to Healthy Feet
  1. Inspect your feet regularly and pay attention to changes in texture or appearance
  2. Maintain good foot hygiene – clean your feet everyday
  3. Dry your feet properly using a clean towel to avoid bacteria growth and infection
  4. Wear the right size, comfortable shoes to protect your feet – never walk barefoot
  5. Wear home sandals to reduce the pressure from the hard floor that will increase the severity of cracked heels
  6. Apply DU’IT Roll-On Heel Balm everyday
Cracked Heels Begone Featured

Cracked Heels Begone

Cracked Heels Begone

Ouch! These cracked heels are so painful. Cracked heels, also called “heel fissures” are the regular fine cut wounds that found on the heels. It is a fairly common foot issue for many people especially women. They are not only a nuisance but are unsightly and embarrassing too. And if the cracks are deep, they can be painful when you’re on your feet. Cracked heels may also bleed.

Cracked heels are generally caused by dry skin and are more difficult to treat if the skin around the outer part of the heel is thickened or callused. In severe cases, the cracks or fissures can become infected. According to the 2012 National Foot Health Assessment conducted for the Institute for Preventive Foot Health, 20 per cent of US adults ages 21 and older (about 44 million people) have experienced cracked skin on their feet. The problem is more severe among women who report the condition at a rate more than 50 per cent higher than males.

Nearer to home, thousands of Malaysian women also suffer from rough and cracked heels problems. The most common symptoms of rough and cracked heels include red or flaky patches, peeling and cracked skin, itchy skin and bleeding from the cracks.

What are Cracked Heels?

Heel fissures and cracks are generally caused by insufficient moisture to the skin. The dry skin on the heel of the feet can become inflexible and split when pressure from the bodyweight is put onto it. As the skin cracks, it may begin to bleed. These deep heel fissures can allow bacteria and viruses to enter the body, leading to infection and illness. In summary, three conditions are attributed to cracked heels and they are

a) dried out skin due to loss of moisture;
b) excessive prolonged pressure to the heel and
c) medical conditions such as diabetes etc.

Common causes of natural moisture loss from our feet include:
  • Not moisturizing your feet regularly
  • Dehydration, or not drinking enough water
  • Using harsh, drying soaps on your feet
  • Taking very hot baths or showers
  • Soaking feet in hot bath for too long or too frequently
What worsens pressure to the heels?
  • Prolonged walking or standing, especially on hard floors.
  • Obesity or pregnancy, which increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways. If your skin is not supple and flexible, the pressure can cause cracking or fissures.
  • Lack of support around the heels from open- backed footwear, which allows the fat pads in the heel to expand sideways and increase pressure on the skin, causing it to crack.
  • Some medical conditions such as neuropathy in diabetics which causes them to lose ability to perspire, which leads to skin dryness.
How to get rid of cracked heels?

There are many cracked heel products in the market which makes selecting the right product even more confusing. How then do we choose? What are we supposed to be looking for on the label? What kind of active ingredients should be in the product and most importantly, does it work?

Tips on choosing the right product for cracked heels

A good cracked heel product should firstly give you fast relief – one that helps eliminate calluses and provides fast relief for dry, cracked and rough thickened skin on the heel with visible results seen within 5 days of application. Ensure that it has been dermatologist tested.

This product should be able to tackle cracked heels with a 3-throng approach – exfoliate, softens and hydrates by forming a protective layer to substantially reduce the symptoms of dry, roughened, thickened and cracked skin. Look for a heel balm with lactic acids – which exfoliates to slough off dead surface cells for increased product penetration. This ensures that it delivers maximum hydration to nourish, heal and soften the skin. It shields the skin with a non-greasy, protective layer to prevent the loss of the skin’s natural sebum and oils.

Most importantly it should contain at least 25% urea, an ingredient that is fundamental to the maintenance and integrity of the outer layers of the skin. A naturally occurring humectants (a substance which promotes retention of moisture), urea has low toxicity and a low allergy factor. Last but not least, look for a product that is easy to use. This increases compliance and ultimately – faster results! Look for a dry foot & heel roll-a-balm product which is uniquely formulated in an easy-to-use roll-on system, no mess and no fuss application to repair dry and cracked skin.

DU’IT’s two heel balm products, DU’IT Foot & Heel Balm Plus and the New DU’IT DRY Foot & Heel Roll-On Heel Balm are high potency, intensive treatment complexes that are fast-acting, providing visible results within 5 days. These products are safe to use on diabetics. DU’IT Foot & Heel Balm Plus has been scientifically tested at the University of New South Wales, Australia and clinically proven at the Salford University in the United Kingdom (results indicated significant improvements in hydration levels and water retention with a major increase in hydration after four weeks of patient testing) has now reached our Malaysian shores. Look for it at Caring, Watsons and all leading pharmacies nationwide today and say goodbye to cracked, painful and unsightly heels.

The Top 10 Ways to Combat Dry Skin Featured

The Top 10 Ways to Combat Dry Skin

The Top 10 Ways to Combat Dry Skin

It may not seem like a really big problem in the grand scheme of things, but those suffering from dry skin know just how irritating and problematic it can be. Dry skin occurs when skin doesn’t retain sufficient moisture. This can happen as a result of long hot shower or bath (more than 10 to 15 minutes), use of harsh soaps, aging, or certain medical conditions. And for those in colder climates, it can stem from cold, dry winter air. Since naturally dry skin can be aggravated by a number of external factors, it is important to take good care of it. Here are some ways to combat dry skin that are effective if practiced consistently:

1. Drink more water

Water is indeed essential for all life on, in, and above the Earth. This is important to us because we are made up mostly of water. When we are busy at school or work or even at play, we need to drink water regularly. Try keeping a water tumbler next to you at all times so that you can drink six to eight glasses of water a day.

2. Get a gentle cleanser or exfoliating agent

You never want to go too rough when exfoliating dry skin to avoid damaging the skin, and you also want to stay away from heavily perfumed skin care products and those containing alcohol, that strip away natural oils. DU’IT Tough Scrub, a 3-in-1 moisturising hand scrub fortified with premium skin conditioners help cleans, exfoliates and moisturises the skin. The natural walnut and pumice formula won’t dry or irritate the skin, leaving you skin silky smooth.

3. Take faster showers and don’t let it get too hot or too cold

Excessive showering may strip away much of the skin’s oily layer and cause it to lose moisture, making it very dry. In a hot and humid tropical weather, it is impossible not to shower every day. The frequency of shower depends on one’s lifestyle. You may take more shower than once a day but please limit yourself to no longer than 10-minute shower daily and avoid using water that is very hot or cold.

4. Moisturize regularly after you shower

Even if you are quick in the shower, use non-perfumed hygiene products and gently dry your skin with a towel, some of the natural skin oils will be washed away, leaving you somewhat dry. This is why moisturizing is so important. DU’IT Tough Hands a scientifically proven formula to repair dry, rough, irritated hands and body. Visible effects within 5 days!

5. Try out hydrating and moisturising mask

If your hands and feet are very dry, you can try hands and feet masks. Apply a generous amount of lotion or cream to hands or feet, then wear cotton gloves or socks. This helps moisturiser to absorb better.

6. Lather up your skin well when shaving

Shaving skin without a shaving cream is the fastest way to irritate it, which can cause redness, soreness and pimples to form. Your skin should be still somewhat wet when the shaving gel is applied, and make sure to use plenty of it.

7. The importance of sun protection

We all like to spend a lot of time outside the house, however, everyone needs sun protection regardless of gender and age. Within 15 minutes of sun exposure, the formation of free radicals starts to breakdown collagen. It is important to get a safe and effective sunscreen, pick the one with high SPF and PA values, non-comedogenic, added antioxidants, tinted, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, etc which suits you the most.

8. Eat your fruits and vegetables

In order for your body to properly regulate itself, and things like skin moisture are a part of this auto regulation process, you need to feed it the right nutrients. Vegetables and fruit contain a good deal of water, various vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, which can help keep your skin healthy. Foods containing high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E – like olive oil, nuts and avocados – are particularly good for keeping your skin smooth, soft and well-moisturised.

9. Work on reducing the stress in your life

Stress can negatively affect our health in more ways than one, and skin rashes or dry and flaky skin can be a result of prolonged periods of chronic stress. A few simple solutions for reducing stress include:

  • Regular physical exercise
  • Breathing exercises
  • Light music
  • Socialising with friends
10. Fashion guide

Many people with dry skin have the struggles of what to wear. You may choose any outfit as long as the fabric and cutting provide comfort. In example, cotton fabrics or silk are soft and comfortable. Avoid materials that may cause itching such as wools, nylon, synthetic polyesters, etc. The softer the cloth, the gentler it is to your skin.

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