It’s happened to all of us. You pull off your shoes and realize you’re slowly developing a callus on your foot. Calluses form when pressure is continually applied to an area of your foot. Usually this is due to your shoe being too tight, which is why a callus is most likely to form either along the outer edge of your big toe, on the outside of your second toe (pushing up against your big toe), on the pad of your foot, and around the ankle. Wherever your callus forms, there are ways to remove it. Here are several awesome foot callus remover methods you can try at home.
The pumice stone is a great way to work down smaller calluses. A pumice stone is an actual stone that is made from volcanic rock. Volcanic rock is especially airy, so it will feel surprisingly light. It also has a rough texture, which makes it perfect for sanding down areas of dead skin. You can use the pumice stone not only on the rough skin areas of your feet but on your hands as well. After all, you may develop calluses on the pads of your hands.
Pumice stones come in both the natural rock form and as a manufactured form, where a material is designed to function in a similar way to pumice.
Now, there might be times where the callus on your feet will not wear down under a pumice stone. This might be because the callus has become hard or is simply too large. In this instance, you’ll need something that can handle the tougher callus. This is where the pumice stone and grater combo device comes in. These devices have a pumice or pumice-like material on one side and a grater on the other.
The grater looks in many ways like a cheese grater. It works in a similar way as well. Now, the points on the grater are thinner, so you’re not shaving parts of your skin off, but these will help remove the thicker calluses. You can then flip the device over and use the pumice stone to sand down the remainder.
You may find it difficult to completely remove the callus when the skin is dry and hard. It may prove far too durable against even the grater option of the combo device. That is why the best time to go after your calluses is when the skin is saturated. You can soak your skin in water, or you can go after the calluses after a shower or bath. The water will soften up the skin, making it easier to address.
This is especially the case if you’re attempting to remove calluses found on your hands. The skin on your hand is much thinner than the skin found on your feet, and the calluses will not be as raised above the skin as on your feet. Due to this, it becomes difficult to directly affect the callus build up. With warm water and moisture it’ll become far easier to remove the dead skin.
If you want to really take this to the next level, consider adding Epsom salt to the bath. There are different kinds of Epsom salts, so if you want a relaxing bath there are salts designed specifically for this. You can also pick up a regular salt and just soak your feet in a foot bath. This can be pretty relaxing after a long day of work, especially if the calluses have caused your feet to hurt. A good 20 or 30 minute foot bath soak will go a long way in preparing your feet for the callus removal.
If your calluses continually return, you’ll want to perform this removal process every few weeks or so. While the pumice stone can work on thinner skin, as it is softer and not as harsh, using the foot bath and the grater combo device may start to take off healthy layers of skin in addition to the callus, which is not something you want to do. So use these general removal methods for ridding your skin of the calluses, then invest in a properly fitting shoe. Everything else should take care of itself.
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You can help soften up the callused skin using a number of other ingredients beyond just Epsom salt. Tea tree oil is one such option that works exceptionally well. It may cost a little more than what the salt will run you, but the tea tree oil smells better (especially when mixed with warm water).
To use the tea tree oil, you’ll want to prepare a foot bath and add in a few drops of the tree oil. However, you don’t want to soak for too long. Tea tree oil is pretty strong and may damage the rest of your skin. Maintain the bath for no more than 15 minutes (this should be a fine time as the water of your bath will begin to cool anyway).
When it comes to foot callus remover, apple cider vinegar is one of the best natural options out there. In fact, apple cider vinegar has several health attributes, making it a great product to have on hand just because. When it comes to using apple cider vinegar as one of the foot callus remover options, you’ll want to pour some into a foot bath and use it as-is.
You don’t need to mix the vinegar with water (unless you find it is too harsh on your skin). The vinegar in the product has a high level of acidity, which is good for softening up the dead skin of your feet. Much like the tea tree oil, you should only soak your feet for up to 15 minutes or so; otherwise the acidity will begin to damage the rest of your skin.
Once you have finished soaking your feet, dry your skin (you may want to run it under water to wash off any remainder of the vinegar), then use the pumice stone to begin removing the dead skin. Even if you have harsher, larger calluses, you will probably be able to remove it with just the pumice stone.
The only way a callus can remain “alive” is if there is continued pressure put on the location. This will help continually kill off skin cells, which will then lead to the further growth of the callus. To prevent the development of further calluses and to help remove the current callus, you’ll want to use a non-medicated callus pad (or cushion) as a foot callus remover option.
The callus pad will come in several shapes. Usually these devices are circular in appearance and is placed directly over the callus. There are larger callus pads for when you have the callus on the edge of your big toe or on the bottom portion of your foot. There are also smaller pads that can be placed between toes.
The pad will prevent the direct application of pressure on the area of skin, which will prevent further growth. Now, these non-medicated pads will prevent the growth of the callus, but you’ll need to use one of the other foot callus remover options to completely remove the current callus.
If you felt comfortable using it, you can pick up a medicated pad option. This is a pad that either comes pre-soaked in a special solution that is designed to slowly dry out and remove the callus. This isn’t something that works overnight. You’ll need to apply the pad and keep the pad on throughout the majority of the day and night.
In fact, this kind of foot callus remover works in a similar way to a wart remover pad. The liquid will slowly kill the skin and cause it to die and peel away from the rest of the food. It is a rather unique and unusual feel (it doesn’t hurt). However, once the skin has been removed you’ll want to apply a bandage or a regular, non-medicated pad to prevent any further pressure.
If you develop calluses on your feet, there are several ways you can try to remove the calluses without going to a nail salon. Most of these options are inexpensive and can be picked up from a local store for just a few dollars. Now, while these different foot callus remover methods are helpful in removing the dead skin buildup, you will want to do what you can to prevent the development in the first place.
The best way to do this is to make sure your shoes fit properly. You may need to buy a half size up in shoes, or you might need a shoe with a wider toe. By adjusting the size of your shoe, you should be able to avoid callus development. But should this still prove problematic, you’ll still be able to take advantage of these different foot callus remover methods.
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