How to Exfoliate Feet for a Pedicure

When feet develop calluses and cracks because of dryness, they also develop an unpleasant odor. A pedicure that includes exfoliation removes dead, dry skin cells and debris trapped under the skin, and helps remove calluses. When giving yourself a pedicure at home, you can make your own exfoliation cream and save money, plus you can add your favorite aroma oil, such as lavender or mint.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Emery board
• Warm foot bath
• Salt
• Exfoliation cream
• Loofa sponge
• Heated towel
• Lotion

1. Buff the calluses and dry skin on your feet with an emery board. Use gentle back and forth strokes to remove the dead, dry outer layers. Do this before putting the feet in the water bath.
2. Soak the feet in a warm foot bath for at least five minutes. You may add salt or other products that soften the skin if you wish.
3. Lift one foot out of the water and apply exfoliation cream in small circular motions. Apply the cream to a loofa sponge or pumice stone to help reduce calluses. Exfoliation increases the circulation, stimulates the lymph flow, removes dead skin and smoothes the skin's surface. Be gentle when applying to the top of the foot.
4. Place the foot back into the foot bath and rinse the exfoliation cream off.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the other foot.
6. Remove feet from the foot bath and dry them. Wrap them in a heated towel for five minutes.
7. Apply a gentle lotion and massage it into the foot. Peppermint lotions can leave the feet feeling refreshed and tingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a painter's sanding sponge rather than a loofah sponge for variety.
• Make your own exfoliation cream by mixing 10 percent shea butter with coconut oil and poppy seeds.
• Doing exfoliation with a pedicure more than once a week can result in an increase in the skin thickness, giving a leathery skin appearance.
• Stop at any time during the exfoliation if the skin feels too sensitive to the process or appears inflamed.