Unless you are a pedicure enthusiast, foot skincare is not something you prioritize. Not unless there is a vacation, wedding, or other related events you are attending. The unfortunate result is the development of dry skin, calluses, and corns. This lack of caring also leads to neglect, and lack of caution exposes your feet to conditions that foster the development of dry and cracked skin surface. This article will give you the essential aspects of foot skincare and more importantly give you an overview of the best baby foot peel in the market.
Prevention:
Prevention as always is the better and more convenient method. In most instances, calluses are a protective measure by the skin against extended pressure. On the other hand, dry skin is usually a case of dehydration. Here are a few actions as suggested by Feet Ambition to prevent these two conditions and others. Wear fitting and comfortable shoes Wearing boots and shoes, especially high-heels that are tight is a significant cause for calluses due to the extra pressure you subject your feet. If you are going to be putting on shoes for long periods, find well-fitting and comfortable shoes with enough padding to prevent the skin from hardening. Oversized footwear also causes the same problem as tight-fitting shoes since they increase friction. Avoid walking barefoot and having shoes without socks Socks provide excellent padding and protection of the feet from friction. They also keep the feet moisture intact. Wearing shoes without socks exposes your feet to abrasion, and the skin reacts by thickening. Similarly, walking with barefoot even around your home forces the skin to thicken as a protective measure. Use moisturizers Using moisturizers prevents the skin from dehydrating and keeps it supple, so it does not harden up. It can both slow down the formation of new calluses and helps treat existing ones by softening the skin and rejuvenating the growth of new cells. Soak and scrub your legs weekly Instead of waiting for the occasional pedicure session, you can have a weekly routine. This routine involves soaking your feet in warm vinegar and water solution for about fifteen minutes and then gently rub the feet using a pumice stone or a buffer. The soaking helps moisturize the feet and make the dead cells layer soft and smooth to be scrubbed off. For those with diabetes, vinegar is not advised; instead, use plain lukewarm water from the tap. The scrubbing should be gentle and not aimed to remove all dead cells at once as you can cause bruising in your feet.
Should you notice your calluses cracking or bleeding, you should seek the attention of your physician before using any remedies that will be discussed in this article. Home Remedies: From ancient times, there have been home remedies treating dry and cracked skin along with other foot skincare needs. The home remedies are great if you want to treat or manage calluses at your own pace and without risking anything. They are also excellent in helping establish a regular foot skincare program. Here are some effective remedies for calluses and dry skin feet.
The essence of most home remedies is softening the hard skin layer and using ingredients that can help scrub the dead skin off. The ingredients are all-natural and safe on the surface save for those who may have medical conditions and complications. Chamomile tea Chamomile tea is an effective remedy for calluses that result from sweaty feet according to Feet Ambition. The reason behind this is the ability of chamomile to stabilize the skin pH levels, which help control the sweating. Soaking your feet in chamomile for a couple of minutes or a regular basis will have the desired effect. Soaking in warm salty water Warm soapy water usually helps soften the hard skin while providing a moisturizing effect. On its own, the soapy water can work to remove the hard surface but to accelerate the process and increase the absorption rate, and you will need to add salts in the water. Epsom bath salts are recommended for this purpose. Use Baking Powder Baking powder has been used as in many traditional practices as an exfoliator. Its fine particles soften the skin while scraping off the dead cells leaving smooth soft and healthy skin. All you need are three spoons of baking soda added to warm water, and you then soak your feet in for about half an hour. Once done, you pat your feet to dry and apply a moisturizer. At the start, you should repeat the process 2 to 3 times a week, and after removing most of the calluses, you can tone down to once a week. Pineapple peel A pineapple contains vitamins C, anti-inflammatory properties, and bromelain among its nutrients. According to The Health Site, these properties are useful in helping sooth the soreness caused by calluses and corns. Bromelain also helps in breaking down the hard skin layer and eventually peeling it from your feet, leaving a smooth skin. There are two ways of using pineapple to remove calluses.
First, you can cut three pieces of the fruit and mash them into a thick paste but not too smooth. You then apply the paste on the affected areas holding it in place with a bandage for an hour. After that, you wash it off and scrub the area gently with a pumice stone or an alternative to removing the layers of calluses.
Alternatively, you can tie a pineapple peel on the area holding it in place with a sock or bandage and let the enzymes break down the hard skin layers. You will need to apply it regularly to notice changes. Castor Oil Castor oil, as suggested by Quick and Dirty Tips, is a widely accepted remedy for calluses. It is also among the simplest to use. Apply castor oil on the affected spots on your feet, and then cover your feet with socks. When done nightly for a period, you will notice the results as the dry skin drops off. Flaxseed Oil Flaxseed oil is another home remedy you can use, especially before bedtime. You soak a clean cloth in the oil and cover the spot having callus or corn with it. Hold the fabric in place with a bandage and leave it there overnight. The oil softens the layer allowing you to remove them easily in the morning. Aloe Vera Aloe Vera is used in most skincare products because of its healing and nourishing properties. These same properties are what make it useful for removing calluses and helping the sores heal into smooth skin. You use a fresh peel from the plant tying the flesh side on the areas affected by the calluses. Lemon Lemon works well as a soothing agent to corns and sores caused by calluses. You apply the juice to the spots and wait it out to dry, repeating it daily until you get the expected outcomes. It has no side effects, and it is readily available. Onions Powerful acids and nutrients in onions are useful to counter infection caused by corns and peel of dried and hardened skin. That is according to Doctor NDTV, who also recommend that you apply onion juice on the spot and leave it covered by a cloth for two days. The callus softens and falls off.
Modern options for getting rid of the calluses: While the above home remedies are effective, they may not yield the utmost desires results depending on the severity of the condition. More importantly, they take a long period for results to appear and cause many inconveniences during application. For those seeking faster and more effective treatment of the calluses, Refinery29 suggests what it calls foolproof methods of attaining soft skin on your feet. Here is an overview of them; Wet and Dry Foot File from Amope Pedi You already are familiar with the dangers of old scrubbing methods from files to grates and not up to standard pumice stones. They carry a high risk of injury, and besides that; they do a poor job of evenly removing the dry skin. The wet and dry foot file is a significant improvement to those archaic devices. The device comes with a rechargeable battery and easy to grip handle and can work in both wet and dry environments and deliver soft feet in just minutes.
Pros Safer than old scrubbing methods
Easy to use
Has faster results Cons It is not sufficient for thickened calluses
You cannot apply on one spot for more than three seconds
Plenty of instructions to follow for safe use. Callus-Remover Gel from the salon For a more professional approach, you may head to your pedicurist for a three-step process that aims to give you smooth and callous free feet after the procedure. A dry pedicure, which is more hygienic than the traditional wet baths, starts the process. An exfoliating mousse is used for this first step. A callus remover gel is then wrapped on your feet for 10 minutes to soften the skin. From here, the standard pedicure resumes where the dead skin cells are removed from your skin. Pros You get professional assistance
Bacteria free process and you leave with immediate results
You get to enjoy other pedicure services Cons It is costly
You have to go to the salon
The procedure lasts a long time. Use a foot peel mask If you can spare one hour of your day and spend the time with your feet wrapped in a sock-like cover containing a gel, then this is a method to consider. The foot peel mask allows the feet to be moisturized and the gel absorbed in the deeper layers of the calluses and corns. After an hour, you rinse your feet and give yourself a week to two to see the results as the skin will begin falling off.
Pros A most effective method to remove stubborn calluses
Covers all parts of the feet at a go
Easy to use
The safest treatment for calluses Cons Needs a week or in some instances, two weeks to notice significant results.
The peeling of the skin causes a gross appearance. Best foot peel masks in the market:
There are many variants and kinds of foot peel masks in the market. As a result, it can be a challenge to pick one to use. An extensive look at the market and the reviews from users lists the following as the best foot peels to use.
The Best foot peel in the market: Baby Foot Exfoliant Foot Peel Baby Footās Exfoliant foot can be credited with the surge in interest in foot peel masks and is the most reviewed product in its niche. For $11.95 at Show Glamour, you get two pairs of what considers such as this from A Beauty Junkie in London recommend for its deep exfoliating actions. It also commended for more faster results compared to most other products, and the results are lasting. It is also the best value for money, considering the prices of Alternative premium foot masks. Second Best Foot Mask: BeaLuz Exfoliating Foot Mask:
For $14.99 at Amazon, BeaLuz, a brand with several skincare products provides its two pairs of foot booties. Most of the users are happy with the results, and a 4 ½ stars rating is proof of that. However, it may require monthly use for those with severe cases of calluses. The broad inclusion of ingredients including castor and lavender helps in soothing though it also makes it more likely to cause reactions for those with skin sensitivities.
Third Best Foot Peel Mask: VILLINI Peel-Off Mask:
VILLINI sell their two pair of masks pack for $11.99 on Amazon. While they may lack the appealing ingredients of others on this list, their unisex booties and effectiveness, especially on men's foot, makes us rank them higher. They are also a good bargain and are among the products whose users have said they saw significant changes in the first three days.
Finally, they are the one brand that recommends you to walk around with the booties for better absorption. Therefore, if you do not have one hour to spare, you can start here. Arishineās Flax USA Foot Mask:
The range of ingredients, especially the flax, Aloe Vera and Papaya make this a very soothing foot peel mask to use. It is a bit costly though at $15.99 on Amazon. Those with sensitive skin may need to test with a patch before use to check for irritation. For best results, you will need to regularly soak your feet at least 48 hours before using them.
Conclusion: While calluses can be irritating, using the wrong method to remove them can only worsen the issue. Regular foot care like moisturizing and using the right footwear will help you prevent most of the complications. Home remedies can also serve as a prevention measure and treatment for light cases. However, the most efficient and cost-effective method is the use of feet peel masks. Of these, Baby Foot Peel mask has proven to be the best product in the market. I hope you enjoyed reading this post on the nitty-gritty of foot skincare. If so, please do not forget to share it with your friends and family on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumbler. Thank you very much for reading this article. About The Author Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra is a Vision Neuroscientist and has worked in worldās premier eye institutes: National Institute of Health, USA, and Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, USA. He is the founder and scientific consultant of showGlamour and its sister company Le Mirch.
Connect to Dr.Mishra @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibhudattamishra/ Copyright: Le Mirch, LLC 2019