How to Get Rid of Calluses on Feet

As it turns out, foot care goes beyond super soft skin and perfectly-painted nails. "It's important to take care of our feet, support our feet, and make sure they are looking and feeling the best," says Dr. Brad Schaeffer, a board-certified foot surgeon at Sole Podiatry NYC and star of TLC's My Feet Are Killing Me. Perhaps one of our biggest — and most common obstacles — to healthy feet are calluses, those pesky hard pieces of skin that develop on our heels and soles. So to help you prevent and treat them, we tapped Dr. Schaeffer and a top podiatrist for their expertise.

Keep reading for both professional and at-home ways to get rid of calluses on feet, according to experts.

Get a Medical Pedicure

Where you begin your foot journey will depend on the state of your feet. But generally speaking, you can't go wrong with a medical pedicure— both for aesthetic and health purposes.

During your visit, your medical pedicurist should start by removing any polish. Then, they'll examine your feet, checking everything from your toenails to your foot's bone structure. Next comes the callus removal, cuticle grooming, and even sandal disinfection. By the end, you'll be left with baby-soft feet and perfectly shaped-toenails.

Appointment times will vary, but a medical pedicure at Medi Pedi in New York City takes around 30 minutes — as long as you don't have any major foot concerns. However, if you're someone with athlete's foot, corns, major calluses, cracked heels, ingrown nails, or have noticed nail fungus or discoloration developing, your technician can address each ailment during your appointment sans judgment.

See a Podiatrist

Alternatively, or in addition, you can make an appointment with a podiatrist. Dr. Suzanne Levine, a leading aesthetic podiatrist, podiatric foot surgeon, and founder of Millennium Podiatry, based in New York City, offers a foot facial treatment.

It begins with a foot wash using her signature green tea cleanser. Next, she applies 10% glycolic acid to any hard skin to help promote gentle exfoliation — but she can up the dosage for heavier calluses. Once the peel is removed, Dr. Levine applies a generous amount of Footlogix Cracked Heel Formula, then uses a nano-current machine called the Perfector Lift to help the skin fully absorb the cream. "[The machine] vasodilates — widens the blood vessels thereby increasing blood flow — which makes the skin more porous," she explains.

After about 10 to 15 minutes, it's time for a foot mask, with star ingredients like oyster shell, sea salt, salicylic acid, and of course, urea. "The skin on the foot has a lot of keratin, and urea breaks [it down]," says the MD.

She continues the treatment with the Harmony laser, which is used to address redness or discoloration on the feet. Once that's done, it's time for the best and final part: a foot massage.

VIDEO: Here's Why Getting a Gel Pedicure Is Actually Worth It

Practice At-Home Footcare

Exfoliate

After rinsing and/or soaking feet for at least 15 minutes, take a moment and gently exfoliate your heels and any other areas that are prone to calluses. While you technically could use a callus shaver at home, it's best to leave sharp tools to the professionals.

"I always suggest a pumice stone or foot file," Dr. Schaeffer shares. "These are two of the better tools anyone can safely use at home over a callus shaver. I think the biggest concern when trying to mend those painful and unsightly calluses is causing a cut in the skin. A small cut or a crack in the skin on your feet can quickly lead to bigger problems for your foot — an infection being one of them."

Moisturize

Post-exfoliation, moisturize your feet by applying a foot lotion. Dr. Scholl's Ultra Hydrating Foot Cream is our go-to pick. A little goes a long way and it will keep your feet soft and moisturized all day long.

Clip and File

When it comes down to nails, you can leave this up to whoever is doing your pedicure, or DIY. For the latter, reach for Tweezerman's Professional Nail Files. Looking to avoid ingrown nails? Rockhard Cuticle Nipper is great at grooming the corners of your toenails.

Take Care of Your Feet

Beyond just the aesthetics of feet, making sure they're in good health and physically supported is paramount. "I tell my patients all the time about proper insoles, cushioning, and stretching techniques to help their feet for the long term," says Dr. Schaeffer.

"A lot of sandals are flat and can cause the foot to have different pressure points that they usually do not have in sneakers," Dr. Schaeffer explains. "When walking with flip-flops, our toes tend to crunch up and grip the ground when we walk because they are not supported properly." Birkenstocks prove to be a great alternative.

To help alleviate pressure and support your arches, Dr. Levine's Stiletto Rx gel pads are a must-have. The best part? You can stick them in any type of shoe, including sandals.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should you get a pedicure?

  The frequency at which you get pedicures will vary from person to person, but you may want to consider going bi-weekly during summer and once a month during the colder months, while still keeping up with your at-home routine.

• How often should you exfoliate your feet?

  You may find that filing your feet around two to three times a week will ensure the skin stays smooth in-between pedicures. However, the frequency will vary for everyone, and it's important to make sure you don't overdo it — even if you're only using a gentle tool.

• Are there any risks to callus removal?

  "Some people go overboard on taking care of their calluses and it can lead to sores and ulcers," Dr. Schaeffer warns. It's also important to note that if you have diabetes you should make regular visits to your podiatrist for callus removal.

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