Give your feet a treat this holiday

Published 9:00 pm Monday, December 16, 2002

Shopping, parties and general rushing around mean that feet take on a lot of pounding during the holiday season.

Use this festive time as an excuse to spoil your feet.

Spruce your feet up with a quick pedicure or relax with a more luxurious treatment, including mud packs, massages with hot lava stones and seaweed wraps.

Women and men visit Ronna Lane Aesthetics in Bothell for these soothing treatments.

Owner Ronna Lane, who has been in business for 30 years, makes relaxation a priority for clients. Soft lights, subtle scents, music and tea are a few of the many relaxing elements offered before a pedicure or any other treatment.

Janice Brennan, 41, of Seattle is a hairdresser and on her feet all day. Brennan chose the 90-minute luxury pedicure.

After changing into a cozy robe, Brennan settled in to the relaxation area, her feet in a bowl of heated rocks. "It feels warm and tingly and soothing," she said.

"The only way we do things here is very, very natural," Lane said of her chemical free spa.

The rocks massage reflexology points in the feet, and as clients wiggle their toes, warm bubbly water with wildflower essence is poured down the lower legs and over the feet.

After Brennan’s 10-minute soak, Lane smoothes her feet and legs with a soluble gel, dries them off and fits her with snug, warm slippers.

Brennan then heads for the massage table for the rest of the treatment. Comfort is a necessity here: eye pillows, heated neck pillows and warm, comfy blankets.

While Brennan stays bundled, Lane exfoliates her lower legs and feet with a lemon grass scrub. "It removes all the dead dry skin," Lane said. "All the extra skin you don’t need."

She uses buffing mitts to buff and exfoliate. The gloves absorb the product on Brennan’s legs and feet. A deodorizer that acts as a lubricant is sprayed on the feet. This also makes it easier to remove the warm Australian moor mud that is then smeared and smoothed onto the skin. Her lower legs and feet are then wrapped in plastic.

"It aids absorption of 200 different herbs in mud therapy," Lane said.

After 10 minutes of relaxation, the mud is removed with hot cloths. Lane then uses a cream called "Rescue Me" to give a massage.

Next is a wax dip during which Lane takes gauze, dips it in warm wax and lays it on Brennan’s ankles and feet. The gauze is more sanitary than having clients dip their feet into the wax, Lane said.

Plastic bags and snuggly booties hold in the heat. Lane finishes Brennan’s treatment with a toenail buff.

"My legs feel very awake," Brennan said as she slowly sat up after her spa experience.

For a more peppy foot treatment, try a basic pedicure.

Kirsten Clemens, 24, of Bothell doesn’t wait for the holidays to treat her feet. "I probably get one every couple of months," Clemens said. "I do it to treat myself."

"People are taking better care of their feet," said Steve Gearardo, 30, manicurist and nail technician at Enrapture Salon and Day Spa in Everett.

Gearardo does basic pedicures for clients who want to liven up their tired feet with pampering and color, as well as other treatments.

Pedicures are relaxing and refreshing for Clemens, who says she has them done more often in the summer when she wears open-toed shoes.

The half-hour procedure at Enrapture begins with a foot soak in essential oils of eucalyptus and peppermint to help soften skin. Clients can rub the soles of their feet on rollers during the soak to begin the soothing process.

"It’s a wonderful massage," Gearardo said.

After removing any old polish on the toenails, Gearardo trims, clips, files and shapes the nails. He removes calluses from the big toes, heels and ball of the feet, smoothing them down. When people do callus removal themselves, they can run into painful problems by taking off too much skin, Gearardo said. "They are there for our protection."

Gearardo says he sees many types of people for pedicures, some who have jobs where they stand all day, men and women. "Most males, it takes a while for them to get in here."

After the callus treatment, Gearardo applies a cuticle softener and cream, wraps the feet in plastic bags and then covers the plastic with towels. Clients, relaxing in a comfortable chair, can lean back, sip a latte and let the lotion soak in.

After five or 10 minutes, Gearardo pushes back the cuticles on toes so that the nails are exposed for polishing. Toenails are then buffed to make them smooth before Gearardo gives a five- or 10-minute foot massage. He takes each individual toe between his fingers and rubs.

"It’s the toe boogie," Gearardo said.

If clients are ticklish, Gearardo asks them to concentrate on their breathing to take their mind off their feet. "It’s not all ticklish," he said.

The final step is the polish. Clemens chose Bogota Blackberry and shuffled off in disposable flip-flops, her half-hour tootsie treatment complete.

You can call Herald Writer Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or send e-mail to harper@heraldnet.com.

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