The formation of dead or loose skin on the feet is your foot's natural technique of exfoliating and shedding dead skin cells.
If your feet are continuously in closed shoes or socks, dead skin can build up due to a lack of moisture or friction from walking or jogging. It can also occur if you don't care for, exfoliate, or cleanse your foot on a regular basis.
The dead skin on your foot's bottom may appear dry, cracked, loose, or dangling. Unless you have athlete's foot, eczema, or another sort of infection, it's usually not painful.
If you feel this is the case, seek care from your doctor. Otherwise, you may want to remove dead skin for cosmetic reasons or to make your life easier.
Here are a few ways to get rid of dead skin.
1. Pumice stone
A pumice stone is an organic lava stone that can be used to exfoliate callouses and dead skin from your foot.
How to use:
- soak the pumice stone in warm water for a few minutes. You can also soften your feet by soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes.
- To remove dead skin, gently move the stone around your foot in a circular or sideways manner. Focus on removing the top layer of skin rather than the full area of dead skin to encourage healthy cell turnover.
- After that, use a lotion or oil to soften your feet.
On wounded or sore areas, never use a pumice stone.
2. Paraffin wax
The addition of paraffin wax to a pedicure treatment is available at many nail salons.
Paraffin wax is a soft wax that melts at a medium temperature of roughly 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51 degrees Celsius). Your skin shouldn't be burned or irritated by the wax.
You can also execute a paraffin wax treatment at home by melting the wax in a sauce pan and then transferring it to a bowl for immersing your feet.
You'll dip your feet in the wax multiple times during a paraffin wax treatment. Wrap your feet in plastic after applying many layers of wax.
You can remove the wax once it has hardened. Along with the wax, any dead skin on your feet will be removed. After that, your feet should feel soft.
If any of the following apply, don't use paraffin wax:
- You have a problem with blood circulation.
- On your feet, you have a rash or an open sore.
- You've lost feeling in your feet due to diabetic neuropathy, for example.
When you use paraffin wax at home, take caution and use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the wax.
3. Foot scrub
Over-the-counter foot scrubs are available at most pharmacies and drug stores. Look for one with granules to aid with the removal of dead skin.
Alternatively, you may make your own by combining two tablespoons of sea salt with equal parts baby oil and lemon juice.
Apply a foot scrub directly to your foot and gently rub it in with your palm. To remove dead skin, use a foot scrub brush or sponge.
After each usage, thoroughly rinse the scrub with warm water.
4. Oatmeal scrub
To eliminate dead skin, make an at-home exfoliant with oatmeal.
To prepare the scrub, make a paste with equal parts of oatmeal and rose water or milk.
- Allow the scrub to sit on your feet for up to 20 to 30 minutes.
- Exfoliate your feet with a foot brush.
- Allow your feet to dry after rinsing with cold water.
- Apply a foot cream to your feet.
For optimal results, use this treatment every other day.
5. Epsom salt soak or scrub
Magnesium sulfate in the form of epsom salt is a crystal form of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate is a type of mineral.
Epsom salt diluted in water can be used to soak your feet. It can aid in the exfoliation and smoothing of dry, cracked feet. This, in turn, may assist in the removal of dead skin.
How to use:
- Pour 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into a footbath or a full cup into a bathtub full of warm water to make an Epsom salt soak.
- Allow yourself to relax and soak for up to 20 minutes.
- After that, you can use a pumice stone or a foot brush to assist remove the dry skin.
In the shower or bath, combine a handful of Epsom salt with a tablespoon of bath or olive oil in your hand or on a bath sponge to make an Epsom salt scrub for your feet.
Before rinsing off with water, gently rub over damp skin to exfoliate, soften, and remove dead skin.
6. Vinegar soak
Vinegar soaks can soothe your feet while also removing dead, dry, or broken skin.
Almost any type of vinegar will suffice. Popular choices include apple cider vinegar and white vinegar, both of which you may already have on hand.
To make the soak, use cool water instead of hot water, as hot water will dry out the skin even more. As a general rule, mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water. To begin, soak your feet for 5 to 10 minutes.
If necessary, use a pumice stone to remove dry or loose skin after the soak, following the directions above. After soaking in vinegar, use a moisturizer, petroleum jelly, or coconut oil to seal in moisture before putting on socks.
Only use this treatment a few times a week because it can cause the skis to dry up even more.
7. Baby foot peel
A popular 1-hour at-home treatment to exfoliate dead skin and smooth your feet is the Baby Foot Peel.
To use, place the included plastic "booties" on your feet and wear them for up to one hour. They contain a fruit acid gel solution and other moisturizers that may aid in the “shedding” of dead skin from your feet.
Follow all of the package's instructions for use:
- After wetting your feet, use adhesive tape to secure the plastic "booties" to your feet.
- You can wear the booties for up to an hour.
- Remove your boots and carefully wash your feet with soap and water.
In order for peeling to occur over the next three to seven days, you'll need to wet your feet every day.
While no scientific studies have been conducted to prove the benefits or efficacy of this medication, it has a large internet following of committed customers.
Baking soda soak : Use with caution
For the removal of dead skin from the foot, baking soda is a common at-home therapy.
However, some physicians caution that baking soda can irritate the skin, create redness, and lead it to dry out even more. This is because it has the potential to disrupt the skin's natural pH balance.
Do not use baking soda on your feet if you have any skin sensitivities or allergies. Before attempting a new treatment, see your doctor or podiatrist.
Add only a tiny amount (2-3 teaspoons) in a full footbath of warm water for 10-20 minutes if you chose to use baking soda.
Following your soak, gently remove dead skin with a pumice stone or a foot brush, as described previously. After that, use a lot of moisturizer.
If your feet become red or irritated during soaking, remove them from the solution as soon as possible.
Lemon water soak
Lemon's acidity may aid in the removal of dead skin cells from your foot.
Using lemon on your foot, like baking soda, can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance, resulting in increased dryness and dead skin.
Avoid lemon in this cases:
- If your foot has any wounds or open sores
- Skin that is sensitive
- Notice any discomfort or redness
Before using lemon, or if you have any questions or concerns, consult a podiatrist or dermatologist.
If you want to adopt this strategy, keep the following in mind:
- Warm water should be used to create a footbath.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the mixture. You can also put lemon peel pieces in the water.
- Allow up to 15 minutes for your feet to soak.
- Scrub your feet with a foot brush to remove dead skin.
- Completely clean and dry your feet. If desired, use a moisturizer or coconut oil.
Scraper or Razor
Allow only a podiatrist or other skilled medical practitioner to use a razor or scraper to remove a callous or dead skin from your foot.
At home, avoid using razors or scrapers on your foot. It's possible that doing so will harm your foot or induce another medical problem.
For instance, if you cut yourself, you risk contracting a bacterial infection.
If you're having trouble getting rid of dry or dead skin, talk to your doctor about alternate medications or at-home remedies.
How to prevent dry skin on the feet
Moisturizing your feet on a daily basis is the greatest approach to prevent dead skin from growing.
To keep your skin from drying out, consult a podiatrist about therapeutic oils, ointments, or lotions.
Avoid creams that include alcohol, as they may cause your feet to become even more dry. The use of baby oil or petroleum jelly is usually considered safe.
Soak your feet just few times a week and gently exfoliate dead skin with a pumice stone or a foot brush.
To keep your skin from drying out, avoid taking hot showers or baths and instead rinse with warm water.
Dry skin is usually not a cause for concern. It is frequently possible to remove it at home.
If you have an excessive quantity of dead skin, calluses, broken skin, sores, or rashes that don't go away on their own or with home remedies, consult your doctor or podiatrist.