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Dead skin and calluses on the feet tend to form as a result of repeated friction, pressure, and rubbing. "The thickened skin is a physiological response to protecting deeper structures underneath the skin’s surface, such as bones, says Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego.
Some of the most common places we see calluses appear are on our feet, the palms of our hands, and our fingertips, but dead skin on the feet can be particularly bothersome. So to learn the best methods for removing stubborn calluses and dead skin, we reached out to some leading dermatologists. Heres what they had to say.
Meet the Expert
Debra Jaliman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and Assistant Professor of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Geeta Yadav, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET dermatology.
What Causes Dead Skin Build-Up on the Feet?
Consistent pounding and friction create both dead skin and calluses on the feet, and dryness exacerbates the issues. Over-cleansing and harsh soaps can strip the skin of important protective oils. Once those are gone, it is difficult for the feet to stay hydrated.
To treat excessive build-up, exfoliation is key. Fun fact: Your skin is always naturally exfoliating. Excess skin on or around the feet comes from this exfoliation process. Sometimes, skin does not renew as quickly as we would like it to which is why we speed up the process with scrubs and at-home remedies.
How to Remove Dead Skin on Your Feet
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Buff Dead Skin With a Pumice Stone
Pumice stones are one of the most popular methods for getting rid of calluses. For the best results, soak your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes before gently buffing the callused area with your pumice stone. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can irritate your skin and cause soreness. If you notice your skin is getting red or starting to bleed, thats a sign its time to stop. You can also try adding Epsom salt to the water when you soak your feet. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and Assistant Professor of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai says this softens the skin and helps with callus removal.
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Use a Salicylic Acid Pad or Peel
For a fix that doesnt require all that much effort, you may want to try a callus pad or peel containing 40% salicylic acid. You can place one of these callus pads on your foot in the morning and leave it there all day. Loretta Ciraldo, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami explains that these work by breaking up and exfoliating away many layers of the callus. To use a salicylic acid pad, soak your foot in warm water for five minutes or so, dry it thoroughly (if your foot is left wet, you may have trouble getting the pad to stick), and apply the pad.
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Try Moleskin Pads to Prevent Friction
One of the simplest ways to address calluses is to prevent friction so the callus doesnt even have the opportunity to form. "Anticipate problem areas and wear a piece of moleskin on them under your socks before you give your shoes a chance to rub and create a blister or callus," says Tsippora Shainhouse, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California. "Bandaids are okay in a pinch, but they don’t stick once your foot is sweaty and they can come off with mild shoe friction."
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Wear Shoes That Fit
Making sure your shoes fit well is another technique that falls into the prevention category. If youre buying running shoes, they should have about an inch of space from the longest toe. Any smaller and your toes will hit the front of the shoe, any bigger and your heel will lift and rub along the back of the shoe, eventually causing a blister of callus, Shainhouse says. Shoes that are too narrow can contribute to rubbing and calluses, too. Another tip for preventing friction is to rotate your shoes rather than wearing the same pair each day.
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Try an Electric Callus Remover
A quick online search reveals a number of electric callus removers, so you definitely have options here. Jaliman mentions the Emjoi Micro Pedi Callus Remover, which contains a soft textured roller that spins 360 degrees and gently buffs away your calluses.
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Try BabyFoot—the Viral Foot Peel
Original Foot Peel
$25.00
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Youve probably heard about Baby Foot from at least a few of your friends. If not, Baby Foot is a gel-based foot peel product. Basically, you wash your feet, put on a pair of booties filled with a peeling gel, and leave them on for an hour before washing off. Then you wait for the peeling to begin—and when we say peel, we are not kidding around.
Shainhouse says this product can help remove the dead skin, but be aware that you may not love the process involved. "Just know that this product can be irritating and may make the skin on your feet shed like crazy," she says. If you can deal with the excessive peeling, youll be able to say goodbye to the calluses and hello to baby soft skin.
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Draw Yourself a Warm Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
This simple DIY soak uses just three items that you may already have at home—apple cider vinegar, bread, and plastic wrap or an elastic bandage. Basically, all you need to do is soak a slice of bread in apple cider vinegar for a few hours, allowing it to form into a paste. Then you place the paste on your calluses, wrap in the bandage or plastic, and leave it overnight, allowing the magic to happen.
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Sleep in Silicone Socks
Before laying down for bed, slather on some lotion - our team loves Saltair Lagoona Body Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid ($14) - and slip on some silicone socks. This traps moisture around the feet for eight hours (or however long your sleep cycle is).
Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET dermatology believes this method is better used for prevention. "Silicone socks alone wont remove dead skin," Dr. Yadav says, "More than anything, they will hydrate dry skin, which may make it easier for dead skin to slough off."
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Upgrade Your Pedicure With a Paraffin Wax Treatment
A traditional pedicure includes an exfoliation step. To amp up the service, consider adding paraffin wax to your treatment. Yes, it costs extra, but trust us, it is worth it. The wax is an emollient that both softens and hydrates the skin. This helps loosen dead skin from your feet and revives dry, scaly patches. Also nice: it feels like heaven.
Should I peel dead skin off of my feet?
It is tempting to peel the dead skin off of your feet, but we would caution against it. Instead, try one of the exfoliation or hydrating methods listed above.
Is it better to scrub your feet wet or dry?
Wet skin is softer, but it can hide the problem areas. Plus, for some, exfoliating or scrubbing wet skin can be too harsh and irritating. We recommend scrubbing dry skin instead.
Is it common for feet to peel?
Yes! As we mentioned earlier, feet take a beating. From running to walking to jumping, daily wear and tear dries out the skin on the feet and can cause peeling.
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