As we walk, the pressure applied to our feet causes callus and rough skin to develop, which tend to look unsightly.
The worst thing to experience is when you take off your shoe at the store to discover a hole in your stocking or sock caused by the rough, flaky skin on your feet.
As we age, it becomes more challenging to maintain soft, supple skin at the bottom of our feet but using a foot file or a pumice stone can help.
Avoiding this embarrassment in future can be accomplished by using a foot file or a pumice stone to get rid of the tough callused skin at the sole of your feet, but which is better, Foot file or Pumice stone?
Both the pumice stone and foot file can eliminate the hardening of dead skin flaking from the bottom of your feet.
Pumice stone is perfect for delicate or sensitive skin. In contrast, the foot file is ideal for feet with extra tough callused and harden skin.
Pumice stone is much gentler on your skin and keeps your skin smooth. The foot file can get rid of the excess callus and the pumice stone used as the final step to get rid of the callus on the soft skin. It won’t make your foot as smooth as when you were a child, but it is a good mid-point.
A callus is the hardening of the skin caused by pressure placed on the skin while walking. It is typically formed at the sole of your feed or in the palm of your hand if you do heavy construction work or weight lifting.
What is a Pumice Stone?
Pumice stone is a lightweight, naturally abrasive exfoliating stone formed by a mixture of lava and water. The stone is porous due to the rapid cooling of liquid lava by water, making it the perfect product to gently remove dead skin, callus, corns and rough skin. You can use this natural, non-toxic stone daily to exfoliate the skin on your feet.
Do pumice stones work?
Pumice stones work by allowing the dead skin or callus on your feet to lodge inside the porous surface of the abrasive rock.
Smooth supply skin at the bottom of your feet results from performing a rubbing action at the affected area using the pumice stone.
The pumice stone can be rough enough to cause cuts, bleeding and soreness. As a result, you should not use it on your feet if you suffer from poor circulation, numbness of the feet or diabetes.
There are different types of pumice stones. A good pumice stone should form an essential part of your pedicure tool kit.
Some of these abrasive stones have larger pores than others. I like the Maryton foot pumice stone with callus remover and scrubber because it is double-sided – it has a coarse side and a smoother side.
They are perfect for daily use during shower time each day. For the best result, use the rough side to get rid of the more uneven skin first, then the smoother side.
What is pumice stone used for?
As a quick overview, a pumice stone can remove-
- dead skin,
- ingrown hair
- calluses, and
- corns from the skin
How to Use a Pumice Stone?
Pumice stones can be harsh on your skin; therefore, it is best to use them on wet skin. Using pumice stone on dry skin may cut the skin, which could get infected if left untreated.
To use a pumice stone for a pedicure-
- Firstly, soak your feet in warm soapy water for at last five minutes.
- Then wet the pumice stone.
- Use the pumice stone to gently rub the calluses, dead skin and corns on your feet for at least two to three minutes.
- Then rinse your feet with warm water.
- Dry your feet and apply a moisturizer.
Note:
Disinfect your pumice stone before use by soaking it in a bleach solution. Disinfecting your pumice stone is vital if used by the entire family. Do wash the pumice for at least 5 to ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly in warm water.
How Often Can You Use a Pumice Stone?
You can use your pumice stone regularly, for example, during your daily shower. However, using your pumice stone two to three times per week is the recommended frequency.
During showers or bath is the best time to use a pumice stone because your skin is already soft. Using pumice stone on dry skin is not recommended because of the possibility of skin irritation.
What is the foot file?
A foot file is a handheld device made from exfoliating materials that smooth, tough, dead skin at the sole of the feet. It typically made of metal or emery and works like a cheese grater to smooth away the roughest skin and callus on your feet.
A foot file is a product made of metal or some other abrasive material used to sand off rough skin or callus off your feet. It is perfect for tough, dry skin. You can use it on dry skin. Other names for foot file include foot scraper, callus remover or foot buffer.
The Colossal foot rasp foot file is an excellent surgical grade stainless steel foot file that is perfect for removing hard callus and is perfect on either wet and dry feet. If you prefer a motorised foot file, you can try thePritech Electric Feet Callus Remover..
What is the purpose of using a foot file?
A foot file removes thick dry skin from the bottom of your feet. It removes the upper layer of the skin and enhances blood circulation.
The foot file:
- Removes dead cells, skin, corns, and calluses from the skin; and
- Encourage blood circulation in the feet.
How to Use a Foot File?
Follow these simple steps if you want to learn how to use a foot file properly.
Start from the foot heel.
Start by drying your feet with a towel. Then hole the feet at and angle and rub the foot with the foot file backwards and forward from the heel towards the toe. Rub harder if the skin is hard and gentler as soon as the outer layer is removed.
Move the middle of the foot.
Rub the center of the foot in a circular motion with the foot file. Start from the instep and move to the outer part of the foot. Then move to the outer portion of the foot in a backward and forward motion.
Move to the toes and ball of the foot.
Rub the ball of the feet in a circular motion with the foot file. Move to the side of the feet and rub in a backward and forward movement. You may cover the side of the foot back to the heel. Use the foot file and sand the outer side of the big toe. You can use it also on the corns, if any exist on your toes – be gentle though to prevent injury.
Clean away the excess dry skin
Finally, rub the entire foot with a clean towel. You may perform this process regularly to maintain healthy feet.
Foot File or a Pumice Stone: Which To Choose?
Now it is time for you to choose which is better; a foot file or a pumice stone for getting rid of callus, hard skin or corn from the foot bottom or palm.
As a result, you can use either. A pumice stone is used wet, while a foot file can either be used wet or dry.
And the additional benefit of the pumice stone it that it can be used to get rid of hair from the skin.
Final Thought
You can get premium-quality pumice stone or foot file; therefore, the final decision is up to your personal preference. If you need your foot bottom to be soft, the pumice stone gives the best result.
Whether you choose a pumice stone or a foot file, you will achieve smooth callus free skin on your feet regardless.
