Caring for the pores and skin in your ft is simply as necessary as caring for the pores and skin on the remainder of your physique, which suggests your exfoliation and moisturizing routine ought to lengthen all the way down to your toes. Sustaining smooth ft may also help eradicate cracked heels and calluses, and a pumice stone is a good exfoliation software that may enable you get there. Right here, we spoke with Emily Splichal, DPM, Casey Ann Pidich, DPM, and Marisa Garshick, MD, on the whole lot it’s good to find out about pumice stones, the way to use one safely, and the way typically you possibly can incorporate this software into your routine for ft which might be smooth as ever.
What’s a pumice stone?
In accordance with Dr. Splichal, a pumice stone is an exfoliation software generally used for dry pores and skin and calluses on the ft. “It’s made from pure lava rock that’s porous and ideal for eradicating useless layers of the pores and skin,” she says. The rock itself could be very light-weight and really tough to the contact. This texture makes it best for exfoliating, says Dr. Pidich.
Does a pumice stone take away cracked heels?
In accordance with the specialists, a pumice stone may also help take away extra pores and skin, cracked heels, or calluses on the ball of the foot. Whereas this software might be useful for extra pores and skin build-up, the specialists warn that when you have a really deep crack in your heel or bleeding, go to a podiatrist for a correct prognosis.
It’s additionally necessary to notice that when utilizing a pumice stone, keep away from any areas which will have a fungal an infection or plantar warts, as these can contaminate the stone and trigger extra issues than you bargained for.
Do you employ a pumice stone moist or dry?
Dr. Pidich says you need to all the time moist a pumice stone earlier than exfoliating to assist scale back friction. A dry stone might be too abrasive and harsh on the pores and skin and might result in harm. “If a pumice stone is dry, it could possibly probably trigger small tears, particularly if used vigorously on delicate areas,” Dr. Garshick explains.
Learn how to use a pumice stone
“Begin by soaking your ft in heat, soapy water for 10-Quarter-hour to melt the pores and skin,” says Dr. Garshick. Subsequent, moist the pumice stone and gently rub it all around the callused areas you wish to exfoliate. “Gently debride the dry pores and skin till you’re feeling the softer pores and skin uncovered,” says Dr. Splichal.
The specialists agree that one of the best technique for utilizing a pumice stone is to maneuver it in a round or back-and-forth movement. “Medium strain is required to take away the useless pores and skin. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of strain could cause harm or cuts to the pores and skin. It’s a fragile steadiness and depends upon how thick your foot calluses are,” says Dr. Pidich.
How typically do you have to use a pumice stone?
In accordance with our specialists you need to use a pumice stone at most a couple of times every week. “This frequency helps forestall over-exfoliation and permits your pores and skin to recuperate between classes. Utilizing it too typically can result in pores and skin irritation, redness, or injury,” Dr. Garshick says.
You shouldn’t use a pumice stone on delicate, damaged, or infected pores and skin areas. Additional, Dr. Pidich recommends consulting with a podiatrist earlier than utilizing a pumice stone when you have diabetes, poor circulation, or are pregnant. It’s additionally essential to wash and retailer your pumice stone in a cool, dry space and wash it after each use. “Make sure you preserve the pumice stone as clear as doable as it could possibly simply lure micro organism. Don’t go away them within the bathe the place there will probably be quite a lot of humidity,” Dr. Splichal provides.
What to do after utilizing a pumice stone on ft
After utilizing a pumice stone, totally rinse your ft to take away any remaining useless pores and skin, after which apply a wealthy, hydrating moisturizer or foot cream. “The simplest lotions to assist scale back calluses comprise urea,” says Dr. Pidich. Urea works to retain the pores and skin’s moisture and break down useless pores and skin cells, which works nicely in tandem with a pumice stone. Dr. Splichal additionally recommends utilizing a foot butter or moisturizing foot masks after you exfoliate with a pumice stone, just like the Voesh Solemate Heel Balm & Moisturizing Heel Socks ($22) or the Patchology Rosé Toes Shea Butter Foot Masks ($10).
Last takeaway
Pumice stones are a fantastic software for softening ft and stopping cracked heels and calluses. Use them moist to exfoliate and slough off useless pores and skin for a smoother texture in your heels or balls of the ft. You should use a pumice stone a couple of times every week to make sure correct exfoliation with out harming your ft. End your pumice stone routine with a hydrating foot balm or moisturizing masks to present you silky, plush ft.
