Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Getting ready to use your foot file
• Part 2 of 3: Using your foot file
• Part 3 of 3: Completing the treatment
• Warnings
• Necessities

Callused feet and dry, cracked heels look unattractive and can trap dirt. Of course you want to show off your young, soft feet, especially in the summer. To keep your feet looking and feeling young, you can use a foot file to remove unsightly calluses and corns.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Getting ready to use your foot file

1. Choose a foot file. There are many different types of foot files available for you to try. Most foot files have a plastic or wood handle and a double-sided surface for filing. However, there are also ceramic, glass and metal foot files, as well as electric foot files. Decide which strain is easiest for you to pamper your beautiful feet with.
   • Most foot files have a rough side and a fine side. The rougher side is intended to help remove corns and thicker calluses. You can also use the rougher side first and then use the finer side to smooth your skin.
   • Electric foot files and callus files work in much the same way as over-the-counter microdermabrasion devices. With these durable tools you can often get a professional result. With an electric foot file you can get soft feet quickly, easily and efficiently, but many of these devices have parts that need to be replaced regularly, such as emery pads. Make sure you have a stock of these parts at home.
   • You can also buy a glass foot file that is easy to clean, disinfect and is suitable for scraping thick skin off your feet. You can boil or soak such an aid in a disinfectant to keep the non-porous surface clean. Make sure to buy a thicker glass foot file so your file won't break easily.
   • A ceramic foot file is safe for your skin and less aggressive than some other types of foot files. This tool has been traditionally used in Asia.
2. Check out other ways to get rid of dead skin. You may prefer a tool that softens your feet and isn't as rough as some foot files. On the other hand, it is better to choose something stronger to get rid of very thick calluses.
   • Use foot scrub. This is the safest option for your feet because there is no friction and therefore you cannot get wounds. You can buy many different specialty exfoliating scrubs at most drug stores. All you have to do is rub the foot scrub over your feet to remove dead, dry skin.
   • Another way to safely soften your feet and get rid of cracked and dead skin is to use ceramic stones that allow you to exfoliate your feet. Just like foot files, these stones usually have a rough and a finer side. However, ceramic stones can be safer to use than foot files, especially if you have diabetes.
   • Consider using a foot planer or callus planer. A foot scraper is usually made of stainless steel and is intended to remove very thick and dry calluses. This tool scrapes away layers of skin to reveal softer, new skin underneath. Know that if you make a mistake with the foot scrape, you can damage your skin and even get an infection. You can usually get a foot planer or callus planer at the drugstore for 10 to 20 euros.
3. Buy a pumice stone. Many people prefer to treat the feet again with a pumice stone after using a foot file to get even softer feet. If you choose to complete the treatment with a pumice stone, it is best to choose a pumice stone with a plastic or wooden handle on it to make it easier to move the device. You can also use a pumice stone in its natural form if you prefer.
4. Prepare a bowl of water. You can use a tub or other container, as long as you can dip your feet in it. You don't necessarily have to use a foot spa, but this can be nice. Make sure the water in the bowl is as hot as you can tolerate without burning your skin.
5. Add oils, salt, soap and vitamins. You can completely adapt your foot bath to your own wishes. You can add shampoo or hand soap to the water in the bowl to get lather, or you may want to use a fragrance that matches your mood. Some people use special remedies or tablets that are specially designed for a foot bath and contain vitamins A, E or D.
   • Consider adding mineral salt or Epsom salt to the water. Epsom salt, in particular, can help treat cracked skin and sore feet.
   • You may want to add some oils to the water to help moisturize your skin. Olive oil and essential or aromatic oils such as chamomile oil and lavender oil are good choices. Put a teaspoon of these oils in the water and you can expect very soft feet.
   • You can also add mineral-rich seaweed, marine algae and menthol to the foot bath.

Part 2 of 3: Using your foot file

1. Soak your feet in the foot bath. You now have a warm foot bath to soak your feet in. Put your feet in and enjoy. Let your feet soak for at least 5 minutes. Ideally, you do this for 15 minutes to make your skin even softer. Make sure your feet are as soft as possible and your skin even wrinkles before using a foot file. This way you can prevent your skin from bleeding.
2. Dry your feet. Place a towel next to the bowl of water. When you have soaked your feet long enough, remove them from the water and place them on the towel. Dry them carefully. Make sure they are dry enough to use the foot file properly, but moist enough to remain soft.
3. Feel your feet to discover rough spots. Now that your feet have softened after the foot bath, check the skin for calluses. Run your hands over your feet, focusing on the areas of the feet where calluses are common, such as the balls of the foot, the heel, the top of the toes, and the sides. When you know which areas you are going to treat, you can start using the foot file.
4. Use the foot file. Pull your foot up and place it on your other knee to get it in a good position to use the foot file. Bend or extend your foot so that the ball of your foot extends further. Hold the file against your foot and make a downward motion to file away the thick skin.Keep filing and scraping the skin until your feet have become completely smooth.
   • Use the foot file on the rough spots and calluses you found. Do not use it on sensitive and very soft areas.
   • Sometimes a small piece of skin comes off when using the foot file. This may be because there is not much thick skin in that area. However, if you can still see areas of thick and rough skin, use the other side of the file or use a foot plane.
   • Use the foot file on your other foot by pulling it up and placing it on your other knee.
5. Use a pumice stone. Pumice stone is a light volcanic rock that is porous and very suitable for exfoliating the skin. After using a foot file, a pumice stone can work very well to remove the remaining dead skin cells. Apply lotion or oil to your feet or the pumice stone to make it glide on your feet more easily. Treat all the skin on your feet by rubbing it in circular motions.
   • A pumice stone is rough and can be harsh on sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, don't put too much pressure on it. Rub lightly.
   • Repeat the process on your other foot.

Part 3 of 3: Completing the treatment

1. Check your feet. Run your hands over your feet to make sure your skin is smooth. Check the spots you found before using the foot file. If those areas are still rough, treat them again with your foot file and pumice stone. You should definitely notice the difference.
   • Do not exaggerate. You can scrape off too much skin which can make your skin red, irritated and cause wounds.
2. Hydrate your feet. After filing the calluses, use a moisturizer on the feet to keep your feet hydrated. Concentrate especially on the areas that you have treated with the foot file. You can use scented lotion, cream, or oil, but make sure you use something that moisturizes your skin well.
3. Massage your feet. Massaging is very good for your feet and for the fresh skin that has emerged. It improves blood circulation, relaxes your muscles and soothes pain. Treat one foot at a time and massage them for at least a minute.
   • Grab your foot with both hands. Use both hands to squeeze your foot near your toes. Slowly work your way up to your ankle.
   • Use both hands to turn your foot slightly in opposite directions. Start at the toes and work your way up to your ankle.
   • Rub your feet with your fingers on both hands, making circular movements. Feel the gaps between the bones and joints. Apply pressure to these areas and rub over them.
   • You can also use your knuckles on the lower part of your foot. By kneading the skin with your knuckles you apply more pressure, which feels good.

Warnings

• Do not get your feet filed during a pedicure at a beauty salon. You can get a fungal or bacterial infection if the foot bath is dirty and the tools used are not sanitized.
• If you have diabetes, don't file or scrape your feet. An open wound on your foot can be serious. Instead, try it with a ceramic stone or exfoliating cream.

Necessities

• Bowl with warm water
• Epsom salt or other bath salt
• Oils
• Moisturizing agent
• Foot file
• Pumice stone
• Liquid soap
• Newsprint or towel (to put on the floor to catch the dead skin)