A Podiatrist Shows us the Right Way to Remove Calluses (2024)

THE FIRST rule of callus removal is that you shouldn’t actually remove calluses. These hard little nubs on your feet may look unsightly but they serve a very specific purpose. Think of a wobbly restaurant table, says medical pedicurist Marcela Correa, founder of Medi Pedi NYC in New York City. When a table wobbles, you slide a coaster or folded up piece of paper underneath to balance it out. “Calluses serve the same function for your body,” she says, in that they correct imbalances in your feet and gait.

That said, no one wants feet covered in hard, crusty skin—especially with sandal season rapidly approaching. So the question is: how do you actually treat a callus to make it look better but also not wreck your feet in the process? This is what to do and what to use.

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Correa recommends a double-sided foot file to soften calluses so you can use one side for one foot and one for the other to avoid cross contamination. “One foot could have athlete’s foot, for instance, and the other could not. You don’t want to spread it.” This one even features replaceable files to keep things extra clean.

The key to callus softening is to not press too hard, says Correa. While she favors manual files, this electric foot file can take some of the elbow grease out of the process. It’s gentle enough that it won’t damage the health skin around the callus.

This set of four double-sided foot files boils down to $2 per file. It’s hard to beat that price. They can be reused, just make sure to clean it off thoroughly after each use.

Correa recommends a cream containing at least 20% urea to help gently exfoliate away dry and crusty calluses. The high concentration of urea allows the ingredient to penetrate the follicle-less skin on the foot easily and effectively.

Before attempting to soften or remove calluses, Correa recommends soaking your feet in epsom salt for at least 15 minutes. Not only does it help to soften and prep the skin, but it can also help soothe aching feet.

After going through the callus softening process, Correa advises using a foot cream with 10% urea to protect and hydrate your feet. A specific foot cream, like this one, is essential because “body lotion can block sweat glands and cause stinky feet,” she says.

In addition or in place of urea, Correa recommends using a foot cream that contains moisturizing oils like jojoba or avocado. This deeply nourishing foot cream also includes tea tree oil and aloe vera to soothe dry foot skin.

If foot files aren’t your thing, a pumice stone is a good alternative. These naturally rough stones work the same as a file—just be extra gentle and don’t press too hard.

The short answer is no, says Correa. Remember that restaurant table analogy? Completely removing calluses can bring back imbalances that they develop to correct. “If you want to remove them, you have to first see a podiatrist to see why you have the calluses in the first place,” she advises. “Taking them off completely will change the way you walk.” Instead, focus on exfoliating and hydrating them to soften them up, help make them feel more comfortable and, of course, look better.

Correa recommends exfoliating your feet once a week to help keep them in shape and to remove dead skin and other buildup that can happen. “Most people don’t wash their feet in the shower,” she says, so a dedicated exfoliation session is essential to keeping them healthy. You may not need to go through the whole callus softening shebang every single week, especially if you regularly exfoliate, but at least using an exfoliating urea cream can do the trick.

The best time to go through the callus softening process is at night, so your feet have ample time to soak in the hydration from the lotions and regenerate. “Don’t do it before intense exercise or running,” Correa advises, as freshly exfoliated foot skin is prone to blisters. “The friction of your shoes will cause freshly exfoliated skin to overheat faster.”