You’ve more than likely heard of COVID-19, or more commonly known as coronavirus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The standard advice for prevention being to wash hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds when you get home or into work. People have also been advised to avoid shaking hands or hugging and to instead opt for a ‘footshake’.

However, while there is an immediate focus on handwashing habits, we should also consider extending good hygiene to our feet. Although you are unlikely to spread or contract the virus through your feet, you could encounter other problems. Not only can our feet be affected by viruses such as verrucae, they are all susceptible to fungus such as athlete’s foot and nail fungus, ingrown toenails and bacterial infections in cuts in the skin.

Each day out feet support the weight of our bodies, and over the course of an average person’s lifetime will travel over 100,000 miles. The condition of your feet is important to your physical and emotional well-being. Feet need to be kept strong, healthy and comfortable.

Here are a few tips to keep your feet healthy and prevent problems:

• Keep your feet clean and dry, wash them and change your socks regularly.
• Air out your shoes to prevent fungus infections.
• Rest and relax your feet daily. Simply lie back and elevate your feet for a few minutes each day.
• Give your feet a soothing massage with your fingers or roll your feet over a golf ball, tennis ball or a rolling pin.
• Exercise often to maintain blood circulation in your feet. It is best practice to take a brisk 30-minute walk five to seven times a week.
• Check your feet regularly. Look for any changes such as sores, cracked skin or redness – don’t forget to inspect the areas between your toes!
• Clip your toenails straight across, leaving nails a little longer than the tips of your toes to avoid ingrown toenails.

If you notice any problems or changes with your feet, get it treated right away so it does not get worse. To book an appointment with one of our expert podiatrists, follow this link http://thelondonnaillaserclinic.co.uk/shop/book-now

Additionally, products to help your feet and nails stay healthy and hygienic can be purchased through our webshop at http://thelondonnaillaserclinic.co.uk/shop/ or over the phone 0800 0862075

Have you always wanted perfect nails but worried that your nails are too damaged? Wilde-Pedique have the answer! Developed by Light Concept Nails (LCN), Wilde-Pedique is a restorative gel nail polish which provides a temporary cosmetic improvement to damaged and unsightly toenails.

In contrast to the nail wraps or acrylics you would find in salons that are glued or bonded to the nails – which can be too brittle or damage the nail. They can also allow moisture between the layers of nail causing damage. However, Wilde-Pedique gel is specially designed to bond to the exposed nail where it will stay until the nail grows out – usually 3 months. However, at LNLC we suggest removing the gel after 6 weeks, so the nail gets the best chance of growing out well.

This treatment can be applied to any nail condition including psoriatic nails or nails requiring protection from infection due to vertical splits, and also diabetic patients – provided there is a nail to attach to. This includes loosely attached or lifted nails, damaged nails and thick or fungal nails that don’t grow fully or are deformed.

Fungal Infections: Wilde-Pedique gel contains an antimycotic agent called Piroctone Olamine which provides protection to your nail and also helps with fungal infections. The gel will not only improve the look of the nail, it will also stop any tenderness by being a protective cover and help keep the infection at bay. Please note, we do not advise its use as a standalone treatment for nail fungus.

Traumatised Toenails: If your nails have been damaged by being stubbed/bruised while playing a sport, wearing tight shoes or just simply being trodden on, Wilde-Pedique gel instantaneously improve them. As with fungal infections, it will also provide a protective cover, helping with any pain or tenderness. Temporary damage, such as sport impact, wearing tight shoes or stubbing usually repairs itself as the nail grows under the gel. Though we do discourage using Pedique on healthy nails or for too long.

Pedique for men: This treatment is not just for women as the gel can also be applied to men’s nails – though we tend not to cover them in varnish as it can look less natural. We will do our best to match the colour by mixing. As well as sealing the nail, the gel will look much better than a discoloured or infected nail.

It can take 15-45 minutes to prepare the nail and apply the Pedique. The gel will set before you leave and be ready for varnishing immediately. Contact us now to book an appointment.

Whether you regularly visit the beauty salon, or if you couldn’t care less about your claws, the chances are you have been told some fallacy regarding nail maintenance or health – and likely believed it. Considering they’re such a small part of our bodies, it’s quite surprising how many rumours concerning our nails out there. So, the next time you’re getting a fresh manicure or worrying about a small blemish, keep these 5 nail myths in mind.

Myth 1: Cutting cuticles is good for nail health
Trimming or cutting cuticle’s is purely cosmetic and doesn’t benefit the nail in any way. In fact, it’s actually harmful to your nails. The cuticle is there to protect your nails from infection, so when this skin is removed, your nail is left unprotected from bacteria and fungus. Instead, soak your nails in warm water for 10 minutes and push back with something soft, or just use a liquid cuticle remover to dissolve the dead skin on your nail.

Myth 2: White spots indicate vitamin deficiency
This is perhaps one of the most common nail myths. However, more often than not, white marks are actually the result of nail trauma. The nail itself is made up of 100 layers of tightly packed tissue and if air gets trapped between the layers and nails are damaged in some way, it can show up as little white dots or lines. These nail bruises, also known as leukonychia, are nothing to worry about. They typically grow out although this can take up to four months.

Myth 3: Toenail fungus is just a cosmetic issue
Toenail fungus is an infection. The fungus gets in between the layers of the nail and spreads the layers apart, causing the nail to thicken and discolour. Over time, a nail infected with fungus can become thick and misshapen, making them difficult to cut – leading to ingrown toenails and other foot issues. If left untreated, toenail fungus can become painful and can even make it difficult to walk when wearing shoes.

Myth 4: Nail enhancements damage natural nails
While it is true that the chemicals involved with enhancements take their toll on nail and cuticle health, your artificial enhancements themselves are not necessarily the sole cause of nail damage. The technique used to apply and remove them is more problematic, such as improper and excessive filing, drilling, and soaking during application or removal process.

Myth 5: Eating gelatine will strengthen weak nails
Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which may explain the misconception that eating gelatine (also a type of protein) will strengthen them. However, there’s never been any scientific proof that gelatine does anything to strengthen nails. This is in the same way that despite there being trace amounts of calcium in the nail, drinking or eating more calcium-rich products won’t strengthen your nails either.

Your feet may be the furthest things from your head, but their health shouldn’t be the furthest thing from your mind. Did you know, our feet house a quarter of the bones in our bodies – as well as various muscles, ligaments and joints. This unsurprisingly makes them extremely vulnerable to injury and diseases that can affect the entire body.

When choosing a podiatrist, be sure to make sure they are fully qualified and registered. A qualified podiatrist understands completely the structure and movement of the foot and lower limbs. Because of this, they are able to easily diagnose foot conditions and identify general health issues that present with foot or lower limb symptoms, such as heart problems and diabetes which both affect the circulation and skin quality of the feet. This then allows them to recommend appropriate treatment plans.

Podiatrist is a protected title, which means it is illegal to call yourself a Podiatrist if you are not qualified and registered. In order to become a Podiatrist one must complete a Batchelor of Science degree at an approved school of podiatry. Once qualified the Podiatrist must become registered with the HCPC – Health and Care Professions Council, a subsidiary of the BMA – British Medical Association. In order to practice in the UK a Podiatrist must obtain professional insurance and prove that they update key skills regularly, gaining continuing professional development points (CPD).

It is a common misconception that sore feet are just a normal side effect from everyday activities, such as walking. However, just as you would visit your dentist for a toothache, you should visit a podiatrist if you suffer from sore or tired feet and/or lower limbs because it could be a sign of something more serious.
When you go to see a podiatrist, they won’t just look at your foot, but will carry out a biomechanical assessment to check if your gait (the way you walk and stand) is impacting other parts of your body, such as your hips, knees, back or neck – remember the body is connected from head to toe.

There are many reasons that your feet could be hurting. For instance, you may want to see a podiatrist for advice and treatment if you have painful feet, thickened or discoloured toenails, cracks or cuts in the skin, growths such as warts and verrucae, scaling or peeling on the soles, or any other foot-related problem.

Research shows that only a fraction of individuals suffering from sore feet seek out professional advice. But even if your feet are generally in good condition, you should consider having a single session of podiatry.

At The London Nail Laser Clinic, we are committed to providing you with the best care we can. That’s why we ensure our own education and continuing professional development is up to date.