How To Remove Dead Skin From Feet

When your feet are dry, they create a dead layer on the feet, making dead skin.

Dry feet is a common situation that people face, and it can be not very pleasant and annoying. This process is called shedding; this is normal because every 30 days, the skin needs to shed and exfoliate, and new skin is formed, but often this takes a long time, which can cause flaky, dry patches or clogged pores. As mentioned, this is normal, but sometimes this can turn out to be an infection like an athlete’s foot or eczema, so it’s best you see your doctor if the signs are severe.

Keep reading this article to know what you can do to remove dead skin from your feet.

What causes dry feet 

In most cases, dry feet are caused by;

• Lack of moisture when your feet are constantly in closed shoes or when you regularly wear socks.
• When you don’t scrub and moisturize your feet, the dry skin builds up. 
• Aging, over time, the skin loses its potential to maintain water, becoming slender. Older people may be more likely to experience dry skin as a result of the natural aging process.

How you can remove the dead skin on your feet

Oatmeal scrub

Oatmeal can remove dead skin cells from feet and also act as a moisturizer. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help the skin to exfoliate.

1. Make a scrub by mixing oatmeal with milk to create a paste. To use;
2. Apply the scrub to feet and live it on for 20 minutes minimum
3. Scrub with a brush and rub off the dead skin
4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry
5. Apply Vaseline(Petroleum jelly)
6. Do this minimum of 3 days a week for the best results.

Paraffin wax

Paraffin is a natural emollient that helps open pores and removes dead skin cells that help rejuvenate the skin, leaving it silk and smooth.

You can do it at home if you cannot go to the spa by melting paraffin wax in a saucepan and then moving it to the bowl you will dip your feet in. After making the wax; Dip your feet in the wax and wrap a plastic bag. After the wax solidifies, you can remove the wax, and the dead skin will be removed, and your feet will be smooth. Be cautious of the wax, first measure the temperature of the wax using a thermometer.

Foot scrub

You can get a foot scrub at a pharmacy or a beauty store, or you can make it at home by mixing two tablespoons of sea salt, lemon juice, and baby oil.

Apply the scrub onto your feet and scrub gently with your hands or sponge, rinse with lukewarm water and apply a moisturizer, preferably vaseline

Pumice stone 

This is a natural lava stone that can help you remove dead skin cells. Soak your feet in warm water and leave your feet in for 10 minutes to soften them. Scrub with the pumice stone to remove the dead skin. Afterward, apply Vaseline to soften your feet.

Epsom salt soak

This is salt that comes from magnesium sulfate in a crystal form.

1. Add ½ cup of Epsom salt in a footbath full of warm water.
2. Soak your feet in the water for about 20 minutes
3. Scrub with a foot brush gently to remove the dead skin.

Baby foot peel 

This treatment is done at home to remove dead skin from your skin; it takes about 1 hour. This product is a gel solution containing fruit acids and other moisturizers that help the skin shed. You apply the booties on your wet feet for about an hour, remove the booties and wash your feet. It is required to wet your feet every day for about seven days for the process of peeling to happen.

Moisturizing

Moisturizing your feet regularly will help reduce dry skin and help prevent your feet from drying again. When moisturizing, avoid using products with alcohol or fragrances. You can use the following products: Aloe vera, urea, petrolatum, plant-based oil, and coconut oil. 

In summary

Dead skin is in most cases nothing to worry about. You can get rid of it home. People who have sorely dry skin on their feet are advised to contact a specialist foot doctor called a podiatrist or another healthcare professional to discuss possible treatment options.