Foot soaks are an easy, effortless activity that can have great beauty benefits. Actresses swear by this simple self-care practice for their beauty routines.
Actresses’ Beauty Secret: Foot Soaks
Zhang Jia Ni, known for her role as Shun Qin in the popular drama Story of Yanxi Palace, has captivated audiences with her sweet and charming demeanor, clear complexion, and bright eyes at the age of 37, despite being a mother of two.
Zhang Jia Ni attributes her weight loss to a combination of dietary changes and foot soaks.
In an interview, she revealed her beauty secret—soaking her feet in a mixture of ginger, goji berries, and other traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. She claimed that this practice helped her lose 8kg in just one week.
Another famous actress, Sun Li, known as the “TV Drama Queen,” is also a firm believer in the power of foot soaks. With a busy filming schedule, she prioritizes self-care and, in addition to a healthy diet and yoga, incorporates foot soaks into her routine to maintain her youthful appearance even at the age of 41.
Sun Li often shares her love for foot soaks on social media.
The Benefits of Foot Soaks
Our feet are the foundation of our body and often the most tired part of our body at the end of a long day. Foot soaks can provide a multitude of benefits.
By stimulating reflexology points and acupressure points on the soles of the feet, foot soaks improve blood circulation, relax the muscles and bones of the lower limbs, enhance overall vitality, and promote better metabolism. In essence, foot soaks connect and benefit the entire body.
Warm or hot water foot soaks can also reduce swelling in the calves. The combination of walking and sitting throughout the day, especially with a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to calf and belly fat. A nightly routine of warm foot soaks can effectively address these concerns.
Additionally, foot soaks are an effective treatment for foot and toenail fungus. Salt, a common ingredient in foot soaks, is excellent for exfoliation, reducing inflammation, and healing wounds, while also relieving itching and pain.
Foot soaks aid in detoxification, improve circulation, and enhance fat burning.
Tips for Effective Foot Soaks
1. Ideal Water Temperature: 38°C to 42°C
The water temperature for foot soaks should be slightly higher than body temperature but not too hot. Extremely hot water can damage the skin’s epidermis, leading to dry feet and even burns. It can also cause excessive dilation of the blood vessels in the lower limbs, resulting in a rush of blood to the lower body and a decrease in blood supply to the brain, causing dizziness, chest tightness, and even fainting. On the other hand, water that is too cold can cause blood vessels to constrict, which is also detrimental to health.
2. Optimal Water Level: Just Above the Ankles
The water level for foot soaks should reach just above the ankles, covering the Three Yin Intersection (San Yin Jiao) acupressure point. If you have a larger basin, you can soak up to the Tuc San Li acupressure point or even your knees. If your basin is not deep enough, use a towel soaked in warm water to cover your knees and calves.
3. Best Time to Soak: Before Bedtime and Two Hours After Meals
Before Bedtime: Foot soaks can relax the calf muscles and calm the nerves, promoting better sleep. Soaking your feet for about an hour before bedtime can effectively improve sleep quality. Adequate and restful sleep has a significant impact on the skin. Just one late night can lead to dark circles, dull skin, and breakouts. Therefore, getting enough quality sleep allows the skin to regenerate and combat signs of aging.
Additionally, a nightly routine of warm foot soaks aids in detoxification, enhancing the body’s ability to burn visceral fat and supporting belly fat reduction.
Two Hours After Meals: At this time, the food has been digested, and blood sugar levels are stable, so you can soak your feet to improve circulation. If you plan to soak your feet in the evening, opt for easily digestible foods for dinner.
Note: Avoid foot soaks within one hour after a meal or when you’re still feeling full. During digestion, most of the blood is directed to the digestive system. Soaking your feet at this time can draw blood downward, potentially affecting digestion and causing dizziness.
Avoid prolonged foot soaks, and opt for a bedtime routine to support fat burning.
How Long Should You Soak Your Feet?
While foot soaks offer physical health benefits, aid in weight loss, and improve skin condition, they also increase blood circulation and heart rate. Therefore, soaking for too long can put a strain on the heart.
The ideal soaking time depends on the water temperature. If the water temperature is maintained at 40-42°C, 10 to 15 minutes is sufficient. If the temperature is kept at 38-39°C, you can soak for 20 to 30 minutes. As a rule of thumb, you can stop soaking when you start to sweat slightly on your back and forehead. This ensures you gain the benefits of the foot soak without causing discomfort.
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“Xa Thi Mạn, the ageless queen of Hong Kong television, continues to captivate audiences with her timeless beauty and allure. Her ageless complexion and radiant glow have become the envy of many, with fans and followers eagerly seeking her unique beauty secrets. As she gracefully approaches her 50s, Xa Thi Mạn remains an epitome of elegance and a true testament to the power of self-care and skincare.”