Put your best foot forward with Margaret Dabbs
Globally renowned Margaret Dabbs reveals her top tips to nail your manicure or pedicure
Margaret Dabbs is passionate about hands and feet. She's the celebrated podiatrist who founded her first foot clinic in 1998 in private consulting rooms in Harley Street area and went on to create the Margaret Dabbs London brand to include foot clinics with nails spas across the UK and internationally. She pioneered the now world-renowned Medical Pedicure and went on to craft her own line of award-winning products and treatments for use in her clinics. What's more, Margaret now has seven clinics, a growing product range and has successfully managed to place hands and feet at the forefront of the beauty industry. Here, she takes time out of her busy schedule to answer some of your questions…
Colour changes in nails can occur when nail polish that has leaked into the nail plate – this is especially noticeable with a deeper shade or even fake tan. Also, as we get older, the nails can become thicker and this can give rise to slight yellowing as the opaque layers of nail thicken.
Why am I getting ingrown nails?
- Ill-fitting footwear can be a culprit, so make sure to wear shoes that aren't too pointed or squashed at the toes. It's very important that toenails are cut properly – so not too long or short, always straight across and never pick the big toe nails or perform home treatments on sore nails – you can do more damage than good.
Ensure that socks and tights fit properly and they aren't pulled too tight as this restriction can lead to ingrown toenails.
Much will depend on the strength of the nail – if they're weak then as they grow they are more readily exposed and more likely to break. Use our Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Serum; you'll be amazed at the difference.
I dream of long, elegant nails but don't know where to start. How can I make them grow?
- Use a good quality crystal nail file to prevent any splitting or breakage
- Keep nails hydrated by using our Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Serum
- Try and have some paint-free days
- It's good to have a rest from nail polish
- Drink plenty of water and follow a healthy, balanced diet to ensure your skin and nails are getting the nutrients they need.
Ill-fitting shoes are the most common cause of hard skin, so I'd advise you invest in a good quality foot file. Everyone should have the Margaret Dabbs London award-winning Professional Foot File. It's strong, has a long handle for ease of use, and removes skin safely, finely and evenly, and, if used on dry skin, will give long lasting results. Ideally use this once a week and follow with the Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion, which is formulated to slow hard skin build up. These two products together are used in all our professional pedicure treatments and are results driven.
Why do I keep getting corns on bunions?
Bunions form from the deviated big toe, which can be a result of poor footwear or hereditary issues of the joint. If the bunions protrude and are rubbed by footwear a corn can appear over the central. The pressure of pressing or rubbing needs to be removed to stop this happening.
- Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion
- Hygiene Cream
- Professional Foot File
- Crystal Nail File
- Anti Ageing Hand Serum
What key things do you wish clients knew before they enjoyed a mani or pedi?
- Pedicure treatments should always be started on dry skin – no exceptions. This is a new concept to most people but when you consider the reasons why, it makes perfect sense – wet skin masks the areas to be treated – so you cannot see the dry skin areas as well. Water softens the tissues, so if you're prone to cracked heels this will increase the risk and using a foot file won't remove the skin as well and is more likely to actually tear it.
-One of the biggest beauty concerns at the moment is the way hands give away our age, and yet people are having gel nails applied weekly, which utilise ultraviolet treatment lamps that age and damage the skin. The best thing to do is avoid gel manicures altogether and opt for treatment-enriched nail color range such as The Margaret Dabbs London Intensive Anti-ageing Hand Serum. This was formulated to reduce the visible signs of ageing of the hands, improve the appearance and quality of the skin, reducing age spots and creating an even skin tone. I've noticed more and more of my male friends and my fiancé become more beauty conscious.
Why do you think the male market is growing?
From day one a huge proportion of our client base has been male and this number is consistently growing. I think the male grooming industry has changed a lot in the time I've been looking after feet – men are becoming savvier, better informed and want instant results. They're beginning to pay more attention to their health and appearance and now understand the longer-term benefits of treatments such as our Medical Pedicure. Our clinics have always been a comfortable environment for men and the podiatry treatments we offer are carried out in private rooms so our clients feel completely relaxed.
What's the difference between a male and female treatment?
At Margaret Dabbs London we fuse together the best of medical and beauty to produce a range of effective, results-driven yet luxurious treatments and products for both men and women, who enjoy and benefit from what we do equally. The only significant difference between the treatments would be that women love to beautify their nails with our polish collection! Whoever the client our philosophy is simple – your hands and feet are very important to your look and wellbeing and we give to them the respect you and they deserve.
For more information, visit www.margaretdabbs.co.uk
