Rough skin on feet, heels and toes - how to clean your heels at home

Only babies can have ideally soft heels, because they have not yet stood on their feet. As we grow older, the skin on our feet becomes rougher. This occurs due to tight shoes, dehydration, and walking barefoot. In short, there are a lot of reasons. But I really want to find an effective way to soften the rough skin of my feet and have soft feet like a baby’s.

Causes of rough skin on heels and feet

The feet are our support and every day the feet bear the entire load of the body. Just imagine how much they have to endure: walking barefoot on hot sand, heels, stuffy shoes, dancing, sports. Under pressure, the skin grows a stratum corneum to protect against damage. This is what we are trying so hard to get rid of. Under a dry and dense layer of rough skin, our feet are tender and soft.

What causes rough feet and heels?

Body weight, even if it is within the normal BMI - body mass index.
Shock load from any activity. When dancing, walking, running, our feet take the impact, and when we jump, they bear a load 8 times our weight.
Dehydration. Lack of fluid = dry and rough skin.
Hormonal changes during lactation and menopause make the skin drier.
Walking barefoot on the seashore, sand and salt water draws moisture from the feet.
Thick synthetic socks and shoes that don't fit properly interfere with blood circulation.
Using an overly hard file or cutting off the roughened part “under the root” leads to the opposite effect: the skin is protected and the stratum corneum grows even more actively.
Improper foot care. It is important to regularly cleanse, steam and moisturize your skin.
Vitamin deficiency, which is most active in the cold season.

The condition of the feet also serves as an indicator of well-being. The appearance of rough skin can cause various health problems:

Estrogen deficiency. Constant peeling of the skin of the feet and the appearance of cracks with proper care is a reason to visit an endocrinologist and take a blood test. Estrogen levels have a great influence on a woman’s beauty and the speed of skin regeneration. When it is low, corns, rough skin on the heels and cracks appear, which can become inflamed.
Thyroid gland dysfunction. If you are overweight, the wounds on your feet are not healing well, and your skin is peeling, this may indicate hypothyroidism - a decrease in thyroid function. This syndrome affects the production of hormones, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and can provoke diabetes.
Condition of individual organs. As you know, there are a huge number of acupuncture points on the feet, associated with different human organs. Based on the condition of the skin on the reflex zone, you can determine the problem in one of them. Foot massage is also useful for prevention, relaxation and generally improves health.
Flat feet. Corns occur due to deformation of the foot. It can be caused by flat feet, wearing tight shoes and high heels. If flat feet are not diagnosed, then when you change your shoes to comfortable ones, the corns will disappear. If you have flat feet, you should order individual orthopedic insoles that correctly distribute the load on the foot.
Joint problems. Horseshoe-shaped calluses on the heels are often a sign of weak joints. They are formed when the load is placed on the edge of the heel due to deformation of the hip and knee joints or problems in the lumbar spine.

Contraindications

Everyone wants to show off their smooth and clean feet, but not everyone benefits from exfoliation. An irresponsible attitude towards this procedure, especially when performing hardware peeling, will lead to serious health problems.

Peeling will have to be abandoned if the skin contains:

Inflammation.
Scratches, cuts and other damage.
Insect bites.
Cracks.

Allergic reactions, dryness and irritation, wounds - all these are possible consequences of improper peeling. Take care of yourself and pay attention to contraindications!

How to get rid of rough skin at home

You can entrust the removal of rough skin to a professional or do it yourself at home. In the second case, you will need the following tools:

Abrasive file for feet : roller or standard fine-grained grater.
Scrub : We recommend natural salt-based scrubs, as they have an anti-inflammatory and restorative effect, while simultaneously cleansing and softening the skin.
Moisturizing or nourishing foot cream : pay attention to products with aloe, panthenol, shea butter and shea butter.
Foot bath : salt and oils in the bath take care of the skin, relieve fatigue and swelling, promote the healing of calluses, and also prepare the feet for exfoliation.
Moisturizing socks or foot mask : an optional but very pleasant foot care product that moisturizes and softens calluses.

To summarize, we can distinguish 5 main stages of caring for rough skin on the feet.

Hardware

Hardware peeling is the removal of the stratum corneum using attachments of various abrasiveness and sizes. Cleaning with the device is carried out exclusively in the salon, since independent use can lead to injury.

Order of conduct:

Steaming your feet in a warm bath for 5-7 minutes;
Application of a softening keratolytic gel;
Treatment of feet with a device.

Types of keratolytics used in pedicure: a complete guide for masters

Contraindications:

Purulent wounds and cuts;
Infectious diseases;
Dermatological diseases;

How to Cleanse Rough Skin with Foot Baths

A relaxing foot bath with salt and oils is a complete spa treatment that you can do at home at any time. By following the instructions, you will soften rough skin, relieve fatigue and enjoy foot care.

First you need to fill a container with hot water at a comfortable temperature, about 37-39 degrees. Dissolve the bath mixture in it at the rate of 1 tablespoon for every liter of water. 15-20 minutes are enough to steam the skin. Don't keep your feet in the water for too long, otherwise the water will cool down and you will get the opposite effect.

After steaming, you can start working with a file, grater and pumice. There may be a lot of skin at first, don't let that worry you.

Finish the treatment with a relaxing foot massage. Stretch each foot separately, rubbing it from heel to toes and back. Rub and twist each finger. Press the edges of your foot several times. Apply precise pressure and rub your foot, moving through all areas from the heel to the toes. Massage the heel with circular movements and pinching. At the end, you can stroke it and twist your leg a little in the joint.

After such a massage, local blood circulation in the feet improves, fatigue and swelling go away, and the skin well absorbs all the beneficial substances from the oil or cream. At night, the body undergoes the most active regeneration, so we recommend performing the procedure before bed.

Features of foot peeling in the salon and at home

The procedure is aimed at renewing the upper layer of the skin of the feet by exfoliating dead cells that constantly accumulate on the feet as a result of the influence of external factors. In this regard, calluses, cracks and other damage can form, through which infections and pathological microorganisms can penetrate.

Peeling allows you to remove the stratum corneum, thereby allowing the skin to breathe, absorb beneficial elements from creams, and become smooth and elastic. Heels and feet look beautiful and well-groomed.

Which foot bath to choose?

The secret of the effectiveness of the baths lies in their natural composition, rich in magnesia and beneficial acids. The product is ideal for relieving fatigue and swelling, reducing inflammation, relieving pain after sports, moisturizing and nourishing the skin, preparing for a pedicure, as well as for people suffering from skin diseases. Epsom offers two foot baths that may interest you:

Foot bath “Foot Pleasure” with mint and lemon essential oil relaxes, relieves swelling and moisturizes the skin of the feet. A cooling bath will soothe discomfort and relieve swelling after sports or high heels, and the invigorating aroma of mint and lemon will instantly lift your spirits.

Epsom salt relaxes muscles, relieves pain and spasms. Salt removes excess fluid, quickly reducing swelling.

Sea salt relieves inflammation, promotes skin regeneration, healing of calluses and small wounds. Baths with sea salt reduce sweating and stop the development of nail fungus.

Lemon and mint essential oil restores tone to the legs, refreshes and relieves fatigue.

Tea tree essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, improves blood circulation and fights fungus.

Fishes

Fish peeling is truly exotic. Garra Rufa is a fish of the carp family, which is common in the waters of Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran. You should not be afraid of bites - the fish has no teeth, and it performs all actions with the skin by plucking.

Fish peeling allows you to:

Get rid of the stratum corneum;
Improve blood circulation due to a light massage effect;
Cope with fungus;
Prevent psoriasis and other dermatological diseases.

How the procedure goes:

The client dips his feet into a makeshift pool inhabited by fish;
For 15 minutes, the fish do their “work”, biting off the epithelium ready for detachment;
Each bite is accompanied by the injection of Garra Rufa saliva, which has a strong softening effect;
After the procedure, the feet are dried with a towel and lubricated with nourishing cream.

Fish peeling should be repeated 5 to 8 times a month. The cost of one session in different regions ranges from 400 to 100 rubles.

Contraindications to the fish peeling procedure:

Infectious diseases;
Malignant tumors;
Thrombophlebitis;
Open wounds.

Recipes for home care for feet and heels

Foot baths, compresses and peeling are easy to make yourself using natural ingredients. We are happy to share the most effective recipes.

Foot baths

Milk-soap bath . Fill a container with warm water at a comfortable temperature no higher than 40 degrees. Add half a liter of milk and a tablespoon of soap crumbs. Take a bath for about 15-20 minutes until the water cools down.
Bath against profuse sweating . Brew 2 tea bags for every liter of water, wait until the temperature of the “tea” becomes comfortable and dip your feet in the resulting decoction. Black tea has the ability to tighten pores and also contains tannins that reduce sweating.
Soda bath for corns . Dissolve 2 tbsp in water. spoons of baking soda and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of soap or shower gel. Take a bath for 15-20 minutes. The shower gel in this recipe can be replaced with sea salt, and you can also add your favorite essential oils.
Lemon bath . Lemon juice destroys the stratum corneum of the skin and works as an acid peel. Dilute lemon juice with water in a ratio of 1:10. Add the resulting mixture to warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. Afterwards, rinse your skin with water to avoid drying out.

Home peeling

Coffee peeling . Ground coffee is one of the main exfoliating ingredients in natural cosmetics. It improves blood circulation and also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin for renewed and firm skin. Mix 1 tbsp. spoon of coffee, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of cocoa and the same amount of cinnamon. Add 150 ml of any oil (olive, grape seed, macadamia) and tbsp. a spoonful of Dead Sea salt. Apply to skin with massaging movements, rinse after 10 minutes. If desired, you can use ready-made coffee scrub “Coffee Cocktail”.
Classic salt peeling . Mix 50 gr. Dead Sea salt or Himalayan salt with 1 tbsp. spoon of olive oil. Add 5 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil. Massage the mixture onto your feet and leave for a few minutes. Afterwards, rinse with warm water and apply cream.
Kefir peeling . Heat 100 ml of kefir to 39 degrees, pour into a bag and lower your feet there for 2 hours. Afterwards, rinse off the residue with water and you can start sanding.
Citrus peeling . Fruit acids perfectly soften rough skin and saturate it with vitamins. Any citrus fruits that you can find in the kitchen are suitable for peeling: orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, tangerine. Grind a fruit weighing about 200 grams in a blender instead of peel and seeds. Add a sprig of finely chopped mint. Apply the mixture to rough areas of the skin and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat acid peeling every week. The Slim Citrus mixture is also suitable for citrus peeling.

Foot compress

Honey compress for the night . Mix a tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons of flour. Form a dense cake from the resulting mass and apply it to the steamed legs, covering the top with film. It is advisable to leave the compress overnight.
Moisturizing compress with aloe juice . Mix aloe juice with onion juice and olive oil in equal proportions. Apply the mixture to your feet, cover with foil and go to bed.
Softening compress with vinegar and glycerin . Glycerin is loved by cosmetologists for its ability to quickly heal wounds, moisturize and soften the skin. Mix 2 tbsp. tablespoons of pharmaceutical glycerin with an equal amount of 9% apple cider vinegar. Apply the solution to gauze and apply to areas of rough skin. Leave for several hours or overnight, covering with film and warm socks.
Onion compress for rough skin on heels . For the recipe you only need one medium onion. Cut it in half, apply it to your heels and secure it with film and leave it overnight, putting socks on top. In the morning, throw away the onion, wash and file your heels.

Mask for feet and heels

Nourishing potato mask . Mash the warm boiled potatoes with a fork and apply the resulting puree in a thick layer to your feet. Cover with cling film for half an hour, then rinse with warm water and apply your favorite cream.
Moisturizing oatmeal mask . You will need 2 tbsp. spoons of oatmeal, 2 tbsp. spoons of olive oil and a spoonful of honey. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply to your feet. Cover with cling film and rinse with warm water after half an hour.
Softening mask with semolina . Mix 2 tbsp. spoons of sea salt, 1 tbsp. spoon of honey, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sour cream and half a glass of semolina. Apply the resulting mixture to your feet for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Cleansing mask with Dead Sea salt . Mix Dead Sea salt and olive oil in equal quantities, add a teaspoon of cinnamon. Apply to skin with massaging movements, rinse after 10 minutes.

Peeling socks

Special peeling socks allow you to effectively cleanse the skin of your feet from dead skin particles. These are plastic bags, most often transparent, that need to be put on your feet. The procedure takes time, since the result does not appear immediately, but after several days. The session itself takes about two hours, so it is advisable to set aside time for it in the evening so that you don’t have to go anywhere.

The procedure is carried out as follows:

First, rinse your feet thoroughly and steam the skin.
Then special peeling socks are put on your feet - bags filled with an active gel-like composition.
Next, keep the socks on your feet for as long as indicated in the instructions - usually about two hours. During this period, the skin will absorb the active components of the gel, which will launch the processes of exfoliation and cellular regeneration.
At the end of the session, wash your feet and apply a moisturizing cream or lotion that does not contain alcohol.

After a few days, you can notice the first results - the skin on your feet will gradually begin to peel off. After a week, the cover will become smooth and soft. A popular brand is Apieu Soft Foot - peeling socks filled with exfoliating gel with aha and bha acids

Removing rough skin: advice from cosmetologists

In conclusion, we want to give some tips that will help maintain the beauty and health of your feet.

Use orthopedic insoles and forget about tight shoes that don’t allow your feet to breathe.
Wear cotton socks even at home, and try not to walk barefoot.
Throw away synthetic socks that interfere with normal thermoregulation.
Do not use professional pedicure razors unless you have experience.
Moisturize your feet daily and give them a proper spa every week.

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Benefits for feet from the procedure

The deep cleansing procedure can be carried out both in a beauty salon and at home. The benefits of such a session are:

high-quality cleansing;
cellular renewal;
improving the aesthetic appearance of heels and feet;
fight against aging of the skin of the legs;
prevention and treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails;
epidermis regeneration;
treatment of cracks and inflammations;
nutrition of both the upper and deeper layers of the dermis;
improving blood circulation in the feet.

Getting rid of hardened particles allows you to make the skin not only externally attractive due to smoothness, elasticity and uniform color, but also remove skin diseases and unpleasant odors.