Are your feet drying out this winter? Experiencing a build-up of dead skin on the feet is a common podiatric problem, especially during these cooler months.
Thankfully, there are several ways to remove dead skin from your feet from the safety of your home. Canyon Oaks Foot & Ankle is here to share tips for exfoliating your feet. Beyond that, we’ll discuss the causes of dead skin on the feet and how to prevent foot dryness.
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how to take off dry skin from feet
Avoid lotions that contain alcohol, which may dry out your feet more. Baby oil or petroleum jelly are usually safe. Soak your feet a few times a week and use a pumice stone or foot brush to gently exfoliate off dead skin. Avoid hot showers or baths, and rinse in warm water to prevent skin from drying.
1. Pumice stone
A pumice stone is a natural lava stone that can help remove dead skin and callouses from your feet.
Never use a pumice stone on injured or sore areas.
2. Paraffin wax
Many nail salons offer paraffin wax as an add-on for a pedicure treatment.
Paraffin wax is a soft wax that’s melted at a medium temperature of around 125°F (51°C). The wax shouldn’t be hot enough to burn or irritate your skin.
You can also do a paraffin wax treatment at home using an at-home paraffin wax bath, or you can melt the wax in a sauce pan and then transfer it to a bowl for dipping your feet.
During a paraffin wax treatment, you’ll dip your feet in the wax several times. After several layers of wax are applied, wrap your feet in plastic.
After the wax hardens, you can remove the wax. Any dead skin on your feet will be removed along with the wax. Your feet should feel soft afterward.
Do not use paraffin wax if:
If you use paraffin wax at home, be very cautious and monitor the temperature of the wax with a candy thermometer.
Most pharmacies and drug stores sell different foot scrubs over the counter. Look for one with granules that will help scrub away dead skin.
Or, you can even make your own by diluting two tablespoons of sea salt into equal amounts of baby oil and lemon juice.
To use a foot scrub, apply the scrub directly to your foot and rub gently with your palm. Or use with a foot scrub brush or sponge to remove dead skin.
Rinse scrub thoroughly with warm water after use.
3. Pumice stone or foot file
People can use a pumice stone or metal foot file to remove dry skin and calluses from the feet.
They can do this by following the steps below:
People can buy pumice stones in drug stores or choose between brands online.
Regularly moisturizing the feet will help reduce existing dry skin and prevent new dry skin from accumulating. Moisturizing the feet after using an exfoliator or a pumice stone will help the skin lock in moisture.
It is best to avoid lotions, creams, and moisturizers that contain alcohol, added fragrances, and artificial colors as these ingredients can worsen dry skin.
Instead, a person should look for products that contain:
5. Wear moisturizing socks to bed
For extra hydration, a person can try using moisturizing gel-lined socks. These are available to purchase online, or people can create their own.
Gel-lined socks contain natural oils and vitamins that help hydrate and repair dry skin on the feet. The individual just needs to slip on a pair and wear them around the house for a few hours. Afterward, they can place the socks in the washing machine and let them air-dry.
People can get similar results using their usual moisturizer and a good pair of cotton socks. At bedtime, they can apply a generous amount of moisturizer to the feet before slipping on a pair of breathable, cotton socks. In the morning, they should remove the socks and rinse the feet.
People can use the following tips to help prevent dry skin on their feet:
Wearing the wrong shoes or spending too much time standing can result in dry, itchy feet and areas of irritated or scaly skin. Without treatment, dry skin can thicken and crack open, leaving the feet vulnerable to infection.
People can use pumice stones, exfoliators, and foot soaks to remove dry skin from their feet at home. Regularly applying moisturizer and removing dead skin will help keep the feet healthy and hydrated.
Certain medical conditions, such as eczema, hypothyroidism, and diabetes, can cause very dry skin on the feet.
People who have severely dry skin on their feet might want to consider contacting a specialist foot doctor called a podiatrist or another healthcare professional to discuss possible treatment options.
Last medically reviewed on April 8, 2019
How To Remove Thick Dead Skin From Feet
The warm water will seep deep into the cracked heels, restore moisture, hydrate your skin cells, and loosen the dead skin. You can then use a pumice stone or a foot file to remove the thick layers, which will come off easily.
Foot soaks are indeed a relaxing part of foot care; they invigorate not only the feet, but also allow the mind and body to relax. Soaking your feet in hot water, infused with essential oils and skin-softening agents, will allow you to feel the relaxing sensations traveling from your feet and refreshing your mind.
If you find it challenging to make time for foot care in your busy schedule, this is a remedy that requires very little effort on your part. You need to fill a foot soak tub or basin with warm water and pour in some essential oils that boast skin-softening properties. Coconut oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and argan oil are all great picks.
Once youve removed the thick layers of dead skin with any of the home remedies or treatments mentioned above, keep in mind that your feet will require regular care and nurturing. Foot care must be a consistent and integral part of your daily self-grooming and cleaning rituals.
Be sure to avoid applying overly hot wax to your feet as it can leave burn marks and cause irritation. If youre unsure about the temperature, do a small patch test or use a candy thermometer for accuracy. Once you have applied several layers of wax on your feet, take some plastic sheets and wrap your feet nicely. The wax will harden, and you can remove it easily. As you remove the wax, the dead skin patches will also come off naturally, leaving behind a natural softness.
Causes of Dead Skin on Feet
Dead skin build-up links closely to dryness. Many internal and external factors can affect the skin of the feet and cause excessive dead skin.
Common causes of dry feet and dead skin build-up include:
Everyone’s feet will shed dead skin. It is a natural function of the human body. However, if you are experiencing excessive dead skin on your feet, visit your podiatrist. Your foot doctor will examine your feet’s skin condition and assess whether there could be underlying causes requiring medical attention.
It is possible to treat most cases of dead skin build-up on the feet at home.