Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

[nickdc1960]

I'm currently studying Chavutti Thirumal in England. It is like Ashiatsu using my feet to massage but using a rope for balance and the client is on the floor rather than on a couch. I know need to enusre that my feet are soft and hard skin free to avoid scratching the client's skin. So I'll be having regular pedicures and moisturising my feet. I'm wondering how those of you who do Ashiatsu keep your feet nice and soft.

 

[Stagnant Wishes]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

Ah, I wish I could do pedicures more often, but I usually just DIY my foot care to save $$$ and use a foot buffer in the shower in the morning, esp mornings that I have an Ashi session booked. The ones that work best for me are the ones with black 'sand paper' on them. The pumice stones I have used seem to just disintegrate. I have also used the 'ped-egg' before, (its a metal file - sorta looks like a cheese grater) but its too coarse for my feet and doesn't really smooth them - It is good for thicker calluses though.

 

[j-diddy]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

The best way to keep your feet soft to to wear shoes and socks. No flip flops or barefoot when walking around, which allows your heels to spread out and crack.
Also, there is a pumice stone that really isn't a stone. It looks more like a sponge, and comes in many colors, but works like a pumice. You can get it at Dollar General, or Sally's Beauty Supply if you have those in the UK. Good luck with the Chauvitti. You are going to love the work and how it will extend your career in massage.

 

[.....]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

Definitely shoes and socks all the time I even wear socks to bed. Putting on a good foot lotion and thin socks at night gives your feet several hours of intense moisturizing. I get a professional pedi once a month--my accountant says it's a legit business expense--but I'm working on finding someone to trade with so I can do it more often. (At least get a professional pedi to start yourself off "on a good foot!" )

I'm a barefoot girl, so this has been quite a hard switch for me. I "bribe" myself with fun polish and appliqués so my toes are fun when I get to take my shoes off. t036

 

[momma merri]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I have also used the 'ped-egg' before, (its a metal file - sorta looks like a cheese grater) but its too coarse for my feet and doesn't really smooth them - It is good for thicker calluses though.

Ped Eggs aren't meant to smooth out totally, they just grate the thick skin off without tearing it. Then you are meant to use a black sandpaper thing to smooth it out - that's why a ped egg comes with the bits of sandpaper to stick to the base.

Best sandpaper type foot file I've come across are the OPI ones - for personal use, the Feet by OPI Callus File is fantastic! And it lasts much longer than any of the black sandpaper ones, and it's got 2 large strong surfaces. The Feet by OPI Double Coverage foot cream and the Callus Therapy foot cream are very good.
The OPI Pedicure range are also good, not sure how easy they are to get retail, but the Smooth is pretty much the same as the Feet Callus Therapy with a pretty scent added (the Feet by OPI is relatively gender neutral) There's also an OPI Foot File which is a professional version of the Feet by OPI Callus File, it has a replaceable head.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

Thanks for the advice. I do have a pedegg but I've now started using scholl metal foot file almost every day. I'm using a cream for healing cracked skin - although my feet aren't that bad. I also refound a burts bees foot cream so will be using that too.

My next challenge is fitting the hooks to my wall as it seems only one wall is solid.

 

[Macabre]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I am happy to say that I have been blessed with feet that stay nice. Before becoming an Ashi practitioner, I only had a few pedicures and each time, the technician would comment on how nice my feet are. I think the suggestions that have already been made are all good ones. With the summer season coming up now, I would like to add one more.....walking on the beach (if you have one nearby). The sand is a wonderful way to soften the feet. Always sloughs off the excess skin.

 

[AVALON]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I have to say when I first started doing ashiatsu I spent a lot more time and money on my feet, with monthly pedicures and weekly soaks/exfoliations. Now I just sand them in the shower each morning and before each client. I live in sandals. The humidity here keeps my feet from cracking. My clients always remark on how soft my feet are, so I guess I'm lucky.

 

[dollmaker54872]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

Though I haven't entered into the realm of Ashiastu (have that on my list of modalities to learn someday), I have big problems with keeping my feet smooth. I've tried pedicures, but have never found them to be effective, and I've tried several places. And wearing shoes and socks all the time doesn't help keep my feet soft. In fact, it just creates the problem of athletes foot for me since I have sweaty feet. Since I choose to not wear shoes or socks in the evening, I get nice thick, hard, cracking calluses. So, once a month at least, I soak my feet for 15-20 minutes and shave off my calluses, sand them, put lotion on and socks. I do the lotion and socks for a few nights, and then I'm good for at least 2 weeks, and then the calluses start really building up again.

Guess what I'm saying is just what works for me. All the other suggestions are great, and if I lived near a beach I'd be out there exfoliating all the time.

 

[CarlG]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I second the suggestions to wear shoes and socks. It's made a world of difference for me. I also recommend occasional pedicures. However, according to my future father-in-law who works for the IRS, they can NOT be used as a deduction.

 

[hungry heart]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I am not an Ashiatsu practitioner at the moment but having worked in a spa environment and experiencing a few pedicures I am now addicted to keeping my feet smooth.

I love wearing sandals and like to let my feet have air so I so develop calluses...

I have started giving myself a pedi at least every two weeks...I push back cuticle and trim them, file my toe nails, and clean under them then I draw a warm to hot bath ankle deep and add a foaming product of some sort...lately it has been 'Origin's' ginger bath soak because someone gifted it to me. I soak my feet for about 20 minutes while reading a book...then I use my 'Mr. Pumice' block which I got at Sally's Beauty Supply if I didn't first use the pediegg while my feet were dry...pedieggs don't work very well if feet have soaked first...once I pumice then I use a good scrub product and scrub each foot, right now using Origin's Ginger scrub...then rinse feet, dry and moisturize real well...I then paint my nails...

It is amazing how good they feel and it is real close to what I have experienced with my professional pedicures...of course I am then ready for a massage because my lower back hurts from leaning over and pulling my feet towards me but it is worth the savings for me...as well even though I know professional places clean their foot baths it is still piece of mind for me to not be sharing a foot bath with a ton of other people...

 

[northernredneck65]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I have also used hot wax treatment. It keeps them sot and fells wonderful.

Ah, I wish I could do pedicures more often, but I usually just DIY my foot care to save $$$ and use a foot buffer in the shower in the morning, esp mornings that I have an Ashi session booked. The ones that work best for me are the ones with black 'sand paper' on them. The pumice stones I have used seem to just disintegrate. I have also used the 'ped-egg' before, (its a metal file - sorta looks like a cheese grater) but its too coarse for my feet and doesn't really smooth them - It is good for thicker calluses though.

 

[Bad Mother F*cker]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I definitely recommend using a foot file, then lotion and a hot paraffin dip! I do my own pedicures, just invested a little money in the materials. I make scrubs (coffee, brown sugar and jojoba with citrus is one of my favorites!), paint on moisturizing masks, and wear "gel socks" to bed when I feel like they are dry. And of course, try to apply a thick lotion after showering and then wear socks.

 

[bahena006]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

Thanks a lot for all the useful information and good overview about Ashiatsu!

 

[Arimesis]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I'm currently studying Chavutti Thirumal in England........ how those of you who do Ashiatsu keep your feet nice and soft]
I don't get a pedicure as often ither but I do use vit E and C in my lotion. Socks to bed. Iv also head of sanding and putting pattrolluim jelly, cover with socks before bed
Wish u the best and enjoy.

 

[Hardrock]

Ashiatsu therapists - keeping your feet soft

I definitely recommend using a foot file, then lotion and a hot paraffin dip! I do my own pedicures, just invested a little money in the materials. I make scrubs (coffee, brown sugar and jojoba with citrus is one of my favorites!), paint on moisturizing masks, and wear "gel socks" to bed when I feel like they are dry. And of course, try to apply a thick lotion after showering and then wear socks.

This sounds fab Jenn!! I think I'm going to add this to my foot care rituals as well :grin:

I agree with the above that one of the best things you can do is wear shoes and socks. It is an adjustment if you're a barefoot kinda girl, which I SO am as well, but it is worth it to have soft feet for your clients.... right?!? t002

I also use a pumice stone daily in the shower. I find that a minute every day is better than trying to attack a huge callouse for 20 minutes once a month (not a slam against pedicures, I LOVE them!!) But, a little daily love for your feet with help keep them soft in between pedi's.

A great moisturizer under some fuzzywuzzy socks to bed will help too.

I have a friend who swears by this stuff (I have yet to get mine - it's on order as of 5 minutes ago!): Volcano Foot Mask