Demi Pointe Shoe Guide

One of the goals of many ballet dancers is to dance on pointe. For this, they use pointe shoes, or toe shoes. Before beginning pointe work, there are essential steps that will help dancers in this difficult art.

Begin Pointe Work at an Appropriate Age

The first consideration about when to wear pointe shoes is the age of the dancer. Young dancers under the age of twelve years usually do not wear pointe shoes. The bones in the feet are not yet developed enough for the demands of dancing on toes, and can cause serious and permanent damage to a young dancer's feet.

Consult with a Ballet Teacher Before Beginning Pointe Work

Any dancer whose goal is pointe work must already be studying ballet, often for a period of years before the body and feet are strong enough for the demands of dancing on toes. The dancer shares this goal with the ballet teacher, and follows the teacher's advice about when to begin pointe work. A dancer should never begin wearing pointe shoes without the teacher's approval.

There are many ballet studios and teachers. Check with the teachers and ask other dancers about when to wear pointe shoes. The more information a dancer has, the more success the dancer will have.

Remember to Avoid Cement Floors

Experienced ballet dancers know that they can only dance on floors made of wood, and that they must not dance on cement flooring. While wood floors "give" for dancers, cement floors to not "give," resulting in permanent injuries, such as shin splints, sprains, and broken bones.

Many dance teachers advise their pupils to refuse to dance on cement, even if the refusal results in losing a job or a role. The rationale is that dancing on cement will ruin a dancer, and ruin a career. It is better to turn down the job or role, and find another position where the dance flooring is wood.

Make Sure the Pointe Shoes Fit

It is vital for a dancer to have a good fitting for the pointe shoes. Dance specialty stores can provide knowledgeable clerks with experience in fitting pointe shoes. It is always a bonus if the clerk has danced on pointe. Most ballet studios can recommend stores.

For beginning pointe dancers, it is best to avoid on-line or mailed pointe shoes at first, and seek a personal fitting instead. After gaining experience in pointe work, and finding favorite pointe shoes, then dancers are in a better position to order on-line or through the mail, as the dancers then know their feet and what type of shoe they need.

Pointe shoes should fit snug, and not be bought big to "grow into them."

What to Do about Pain from Pointe Shoes

No matter how well the fit, pointe work can be painful. It can result in sore feet, blisters, bleeding toes, and blackened toe nails. Beginning pointe dancers must consult with their teachers, fellow dancers, and ballet books and magazines for ways to minimize the pain.

Many dancers wear some sort of padding around their toes, either foam or lamb's wool. The amount used and the method of wrapping the toes varies from dancer to dancer, and each dancer experiments until the padding "feels right."

Some dancers do not wear padding. Margot Fonteyn liked to feel the floor through her shoes.

Another way to minimize damage to feet is to "tape" the toe knuckles with surgical tape. This way, the toes are protected and don't blister.

Additional Care of Feet for Pointe Work

Toe nails must be kept short, trimmed straight across to prevent painful ingrown toenails. Trimming also can prevent "blackened" toenails, caused when long nails are pushed into the toe while on pointe.

Many dancers will soak their feet in a solution of water and Epsom salts, to toughen their feet. Another soak consists of equal parts dark beer, white vinegar, and acidopholus tablets or sachets, which can help prevent or treat nail fungus in toenails.

If the pointe shoes become painful, often the teacher will advise the dancer to take them off for the rest of the class, or until the dancer can again work in the pointe shoes. It is always advisable to check with a doctor if there is intense or consistent pain, which can indicate a more serious problem. During a performance, Gelsey Kirkland's pointe shoes hurt her, and she discovered that she had been dancing with a broken foot.

Pointe Shoes Can Become Wearable

Though pointe work is difficult, demanding, and painful, dancers can achieve relatively pain-free dancing when they continue to consult with dance teachers, other dancers, and dance books and magazines. The feet will develop callouses, the feet will become strong, and dancing on pointe can result in an exhilarating experience for the dancer and the audience.