You get beautiful skin, shiny nails, and dry and cracked heels on your feet. It looks and feels terrible to have the dead skin on your feet, and it becomes really unpleasant, especially when you have to wear your favorite open heel shoes at a gathering.
The dead skin cells that appear on the feet result from the natural exfoliation that occurs on your foot. During the exfoliation, your skin starts shedding off the feet, resulting in dead skin formation. If your feet constantly remain in socks or shoes, it starts losing their moisture, and the skin on the bottom of the feet becomes chapped and dry.
Our feet suffer a lot daily, so it is normal to have a little wear and tear, especially the dry and flaky heals, which are quite common among many people. If you, too, feel dry patches beneath your feet, you are not alone in suffering from it. If the feet are neglected and not scrubbed or exfoliated over time, the dead skin cells are gathered, and these worn-out skin cells form a thick layer beneath the feet.
Reasons for Having Dead Skin Under the Feet
Shedding dead skin is normal, and once the dead skin cells are accumulated beneath the feet, they form a thick layer that may even result in cracked heels. There is no obvious time when the dead skin will start shedding off. However, various reasons indicate that you must take care of your heels properly.
Let’s look into the causes which lead to dead skin on feet.
Aging: As the person ages, his skin starts losing its ability to retain water. The collagen in the skin of elderly people is not stimulated like the younger skin, which results in thinning and drying of the skin. This is why elderly people have hanging and flaking skin on their feet.
Heat: When the feet constantly remain in the socks or shoes, the heat is absorbed, and your heels lose their moisture, resulting in dead skin.
Harsh Products: If the soap you apply on your feet contains harsh chemicals, it drastically affects the skin beneath your feet and makes it look dry and chapped.
Eczema: Eczema can occur on any part of the skin and most commonly on elbows, arms, scalp, and knees. It also has higher chances of developing Eczema on your feet, leading to skin peeling and cracked foot heel.
Fitting Shoes: The shoes you choose for your feet describe not only your style sense but also determine the comfort level of your feet. If the shoes you wear are of the wrong size or do not allow your feet to breathe, it may result in dryness in the areas of pressure.
Long Showers: Spending too much time taking long showers may result in skin dryness, especially on the feet. Staying in the water for too long can affect the skin’s natural oils, making it raptured and dry.
Methods to Remove Dead Skin From Feet
If you ignore the health of your feet skin, dead skin can build up, and if you still do not follow a proper footcare routine, cracked heels can cause you pain while walking. Getting that post-pedicure feel without going out to the salon is possible from the comfort of your home.
You can try plenty of ways to get those soothing feet and smooth heels at home. Follow these easy methods and upgrade your skincare routine, which helps your feet get good skin.
Scrubbing
Scrubbing is great for removing dead skin cells from the skin. Not just a good scrub helps your face and hands achieve softer and smoother skin, but scrubbing is an effective way to repair those dead spots in the feet. Apply a good amount of scrub on the feet during the shower or when the feet are damp, as through exfoliation, the feet get rid of all the dryness.
A Pumice Stone
The abrasive texture of the Pumice Stone makes it a great tool to buff away the hard and dry skin on the heels. Soak your feet in warm water and rub the stone gently around your feet to remove the dead skin. Do not go too harsh and do not use the stone on areas with any injury. Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion after using the stone.
Foot Peel Mask
The foot peel masks available in the market are great for achieving healthy-looking foot skin. These are chemically formulated peel masks that are applied directly on foot for a given amount of time and then removed. The skin starts shedding off the dead cells over time, and you get healthy feet skin.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is melted, applied on the feet, and left for a few minutes. When removed, the wax removes dead skin cells, leaving behind fresh and healthy skin. You can add this to your salon pedicure or even try at home. All you have to do is to melt the wax and dip your feet into it. Wrap your feet into the plastic layers and let the wax dry. Pull out the plastic and wax when the wax is completely dry. People with sore feet or poor blood circulation should not try Paraffin wax.
Vinegar Soak
White or apple cider vinegar both have amazing properties to heal dead skin. Add one spoon of vinegar into a hot water tub and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. Use a Pumice Stone and clean out the dead skin under the feet. Clean your feet and apply some moisturizing cream for better results.
Oatmeal Scrub
One of the best things about oatmeal is its ability to exfoliate. Oatmeal scrub is highly effective for treating dry and dead skin. Add 1 cup of oatmeal into milk or rose water and prepare a thick paste. Apply this paste on your feet and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a foot brush and exfoliate the skin of your feet. Wash off the scrubbing paste with water.
Heel File
Filer is an essential part of a pedicure routine which you can even do at home. An emery board or a heel file exfoliates the skin and leaves behind smooth heels. Soak your feet in the water and file your feet till the dry skin comes off. Wipe your feet and apply any lotion or moisturizer for a more soothing effect.
Baby Foot Peel
Baby foot peel has become a popular way to heal dry skin at home. To moisturize the feet, there are plastic booties which you are required to wear. These contain a gel-like solution of fruit acid and other nourishing oils. When worn on the feet, these booties help the dead skin shed off the feet. Many Internet users have found the baby foot peel an effective way to treat dry and dead skin.
Tips to Prevent Feet from Dry Skin
Dry skin can occur in people of any age group. While following a regular skincare routine, we usually forget to take care of our feet, which results in leaving them dry and causing a build-up of dead skin cells. The best way to prevent dryness is to take proper care of your feet.
- Treat your feet with essential oils and moisturizer, and avoid lotions that contain alcohol. Try using baby lotions or petroleum jelly to get smoother heels and .
- Use Pumice Stone while taking a shower, as it is the best way to exfoliate the skin.
- Take special care of your foot hygiene. Wash your feet regularly with soap and lukewarm water.
- To avoid foot problems associated with high heels, it’s important to always wear shoes that have a perfect fit and proper padding, as well as clean and washed socks.
- The spots which get excessive pressure are more likely to get calluses. So, it is better to avoid it. While putting on your socks, place moleskin or medical patches where your skin frequently gets calluses.
Bottom Line
The formation of dead skin on feet can happen to anyone, and the best part is that you can remove the dead skin easily at home. However, if the dry skin or calluses start to pain or have swelling, it is recommended to see your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you shave dead skin off your feet?
Shaving your feet may result in destroying the tissues of your feet. Any deep cut may even lead to severe skin infections.
What is Plantar hyperkeratosis?
Plantar hyperkeratosis is a condition in which corns and calluses are developed on the knees, palms, and under the heels. The condition can be painful and can even limit your functioning.
Can I use a razor to shed skin off the feet?
Using razors or sharp tools to remove skin below the feet can be extremely injurious and can even lead to serious tissue damage. Instead of using a razor, you should use a foot filer or pumice stone.
What causes the formation of thick dead skin on foot?
Thick dead skin is formed on the areas of excessive pressure. When the sole undergoes extreme pressure, it stimulates higher keratin production, which results in skin thickening.
What happens when the feet are over-filed?
Overfilling your feet leads to the weakening of tissues and bacterial and fungal infections.
What is skin slugging?
Slugging is the process of sealing your skin with petroleum-based ointment overnight. Dabbing your skin with petroleum-based agents is a great way to treat dry skin.
What is Pumice Stone made of?
Pumice Stone is made of lava and water and is a hard stone with an abrasive texture.
John Davis is a passionate content writer with a knack for crafting engaging narratives across various subjects. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, John brings ideas to life through the power of words. His dedication to delivering high-quality and informative content has made him a trusted voice in the digital realm. When he’s not at his desk, you’ll find John exploring new hobbies and seeking inspiration in the world around him.
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