Key Points at a Glance:
- Friction and pressure are usually the triggers
- Dead skin should be removed regularly
- You should always take a foot bath before removal.
- The best way to remove calluses is with pumice stone or a callus file
Summertime is also barefoot season. For many people, this means their bare feet are on full display. That makes it all the more important to keep them well-groomed and looking their best. After all, feet with calluses can quickly give off an unintentionally scruffy impression. Calluses usually form on the heels and the soles of the feet and are typically yellowish and painless. But why do calluses keep forming in so many people? Calluses form as a protective reaction of the outermost layer of skin—specifically when the skin is exposed to friction and pressure over an extended period of time.
So if calluses form as a protective response, why should you remove them at all? Of course, aesthetics also play a role here. Nevertheless, this isn’t the only reason. As is well known, calluses can swell and, in the worst case, tear. In addition, calluses can reduce the sensitivity of the skin on the feet. If you suffer from calluses, however, you can rest assured; calluses can be treated with very simple methods or easily removed:
- To remove calluses gently and easily, you should first soften them with a foot bath. The foot bath can consist of just warm water, or you can choose from a variety of options: for example, apple cider vinegar, lavender, lemon juice, chamomile, and sage all have a soothing effect.
- Soak your feet in a foot bath for at least 10–15 minutes to soften the calluses.
- The callus can then be removed relatively easily with a pumice stone or a callus file.
In addition to the steps mentioned above and the foot bath, you can also reduce some of the calluses by using a homemade scrub. A simple and quick option, for example, is a mixture of salt and olive oil. To make it, mix salt and olive oil in a bowl, then apply the mixture to your feet as a scrub and rub it in.
You should also repeat the measures mentioned above regularly to prevent calluses. Sometimes, dry skin can further contribute to the development of calluses. Therefore, take care of your feet regularly with appropriate moisturizing creams and/or foot masks. You should also always wear proper footwear to avoid pressure points and friction.
What Fish and Corneas Have in Common
If you’d rather remove dead skin with something other than a pumice stone or callus file, you can do so with the increasingly popular fish pedicure. These so-called Kangal or “nibbling” fish (in facilities specially certified for this purpose) nibble away dead skin from your feet during a foot bath. Important: This treatment is not suitable for people who are ticklish on their feet.
