Oh! My Aching Feet!

Sky-high platforms and stilettos area trend that just won't die, but your feet are probably paying the price. There's nothing that makes you look (and feel) worn out more than aching feet.

Three Unique "spa" products will help keep you light, not limping, on your feet: Pampered Toes and the Ped Egg, by Ped Egg (both by Telebrands), and the Foot Works Thermal Scrub, From Avon.

The Telebrands items are "as seen on TV" products. I used to think these types of items were cheesy and often not very effective, but in the past few years, I've changed my opinion. Some of the "tv-type" items are definitely helpful, unique, and effective. They have also hit the mainstream, not just for sale on late night and weekend morning television channels.




For example, The Ped Egg $10.00 + *6.99 shipping is a plastic foot file in the oval shape of an egg, with a reservoir to hold the skin shavings as it hones down rough heels and calluses. I've seen this inexpensive but impressive little gadget in a lot of places including the Telebrands Web site, and even in my local drug store. This travel-friendly foot file could save you money as well as ward off foot problems, and pain.

In the old days, I'd simply go for a mani-pedi, and the salon would shave off or file off the offending calluses and dry skin, but today it's "DIY"-only in most places. Foot calluses are notoriously hard, and difficult to remove, without taking your good, soft skin with them. Luckily, the Ped Egg has over 135 stainless steel micro blades (they remind me of a grater) to gently buff away dead, dry skin. There are also two adhesive, emery board/buffing pads that you also can stick on the egg, to smooth out the final bumps. You'll have to have just a bit of patience to run the Ped Egg back and forth over your skin --it takes longer than if you used a professional file, but the upside is that this file will "grate" through the hardest callus without cutting or ripping your skin to shreds (unless you try really hard).

I liked the clever design, too. The top part of the egg holds the file, and lifts off the bottom so you can simply dump out the skin shavings from the reservoir. Be careful! When I held the Ped Egg at the wrong angle, the shavings fell out through the holes! Despite this, the Ped Egg is a good tool that's pleasant and effective.




I thought Pampered Toes $10.00 + *6.99 shipping would be the type of product I'd try once and toss in a closet--I was wrong. This "foot friendly" device is my newest, little treat (especially when I've walked too much or squished my feet into pointy shoes). Pampered Toes are a set of two plastic, gel-filled pieces with five holes (one per toe). They look a bit like a ladder for Gumby. The gel "ladders" are soft but not entirely squishy. They separate and stretch your toes so that they get the benefits of the same relaxing, stretching exercises you might do for your back, neck or arms. Putting the pampered toes on takes a little bit of practice, since your toes are probably not used to being stretched far apart. Also, they weren't entirely comfortable at first (you will get used to the feeling). The first time I tried these I couldn't manage to wear them more than 8 minutes, but when I removed them, I can honestly say that my toes felt energized and quite wonderful! Even though I didn't think my toes were achy, they felt so much better after wearing the Pampered Toes that I was really surprised! The only downside, if there really is one, is that you can't walk around very well with these--they're bulky. So sit down on your couch to watch the evening news, or check your emails on the computer. Even better, put on your Pampered Toes and soak your tension away in the bathtub!

You can purchase Ped Egg and Pampered Toes on the Telebrands web site, or Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, and CVS.

Avon Foot Works Thermal Exfoliating Scrub $7.99 3.4 fl. oz. is another little helper that's new and definitely good to use. The super-thick cream comes in a flip-top tube and instantly smooths out minor roughness and dry skin on your feet. It's a perfect follow-up to a pedicure or even use with the Ped Egg, above. I was surprised at how much this self-heating scrub warms up on contact with water and your skin--it's like an electric blanket for your feet! The heat doesn't last for long, but it does last long enough to relax your feet---and you! While you enjoy massaging the heated cream into your skin, exfoliating beads clear away rough skin. The scrub also detoxifies pores to help re-hydrate dry skin, and do-odorizes with an energizing scent. This product isn't a substitute for a foot file on seriously callused skin, it works amazingly well for maintenance and to deal with little bits of skin that pull on your socks and pantyhose (ewwww!). Most of all, it's affordable and fun to use. Make it at least a once a week, treat.

Get Avon Foot Works Thermal Exfoliating Scrub at www.avon.com or find a representative at 800-FOR-AVON