How to Use a Callus Remover At Home
Getting your hands on the best electric callus remover is only the first step. Then, you have to learn how to use a callus remover to make the most of your new pedicure tool. Technique and follow-up care can make or break your results.
As the #1 choice for an electric foot callus remover, we’re going to walk you through the process step-by-step below so you can get started putting painful, unsightly calluses in the past for good. Stock up on the essentials at Nuvé today!
Key Takeaways
- Use an electric callus remover on dry skin. Soaking can soften the callus, but feet must be fully dry before you start buffing.
- Gentle, repeated passes will lead to better results than pressing hard. You’re merely guiding the device. Let it do the heavy lifting.
- Moisturize your feet immediately after each session to keep skin soft and prevent regrowth.
- Do not use a callus remover at home if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
Choosing the Right Callus Remover
You might already have your hands on the right device - if so, you can skip ahead to using a callus remover. Otherwise, it’s important that you do your due diligence given how many electric foot files on the market all claim to be “the best.”
First, know that manual tools will leave you underwhelmed. In fact, they can cause more harm than good since it’s easy to apply too much pressure and damage healthy skin. Stick with an electric tool. Not only are they safer, but they’re way easier to use.
You can review all the best foot files for hard skin in our blog if you want to weigh your options. But with more than 250,000 happy customers and a 4.9/5 star rating, the Nuvé Silk 3 Pro is the #1 choice. 96% of users we polled said it was more effective and easier to use than anything they’d tried previously.
What Else Do You Need?
The biggest mistake we see people make is skipping post-buffing moisturization. According to dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Moore, “People don't always moisturize their heels, even if they moisturize the rest of their body.”1
We recommend the Nuvé Hydracare Balm. It’s formulated to repair dry skin and cracked heels while locking in moisture for long-lasting softness. It’s a stick, too, so you don’t have to get your hands messy.
You should also have a basin of water set aside for the initial soak and a clean towel to do the work on. You’re going to be blown away by how much dead skin comes off when you start using the callus remover.
How to Use a Callus Remover: Step-by-Step Guide
The best part of the Nuvé Silk 3 Pro is how intuitive it is. You can unbox the device, charge it up, and start using it right away with no real learning curve. Here’s how to use a callus remover.
Step 1) Choose the Right Roller
Most people who use the Silk 3 Pro are dealing with tough buildup, so you’ll start with the coarse roller. Yes, the Silk 3 Pro comes with two separate rollers so you can use the device for maintenance down the road, too!
Step 2) Let the Nuvé Silk 3 Pro Do the Heavy Lifting
Now it’s time to actually use the device. Turn it on and gently glide it over the callused area in a slow, back-and-forth motion. You don’t need to press down on the callus. You shouldn’t just hold it in one spot. The device spins at 2,000 RPM, so it’ll do all the buffing. It takes 5 minutes.
Step 3) Moisturize with the Hydracare Balm
Wipe your feet off with a clean towel to remove all the buildup. Then, you can follow up with the Hydracare Balm. If you already have a foot moisturizer containing urea or ceramides, that is fine as well.
Step 4) Follow-Up Maintenance Treatments
We get asked often, do calluses go away the first time you use a callus remover?You are going to be amazed at the difference after that first session with the Silk 3 Pro. 94% of customers we talked to said they felt as if they had achieved salon-quality results or even better!
But you should still plan on using the device more than once if you have really tough calluses. You can also use the device with the fine roller for maintenance going forward.
Staying Safe With Callus Removers
There are two main mistakes we see customers make with electric foot files:
- Pressing too hard
- Going over the same spot too many times
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests gentle, controlled removal instead of aggressive filing.2 Over-exfoliation is only going to cause more harm than good in the long run. You don’t have to remove everything in the first session!
What About Manual Callus Removers?
Our guide on how to use a callus remover is specific to electric tools. But maybe you’re holding a manual tool in your hand right now. These are still an option - just not a very good one.
Why Electric Tools Like the Nuvé Silk 3 Pro Are Better
Pumice stones or manual foot files are no longer your best bet for removing calluses because they require more pressure and more passes. Both of those things, as you know now, can raise the risk of removing too much skin and causing more harm than good.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Manual Callus Remover
We’re not going to tell you that you have to toss out your manual tool and buy the Silk 3 Pro. You can still give it a shot. The process is slightly different, though.
You’ll want to soak your feet and actually use the tool while your feet are still damp. Just be really gentle as you rub the tool against the callus. Light pressure is the way to go. Rinse and repeat until the skin feels smoother. Stop before you reach tender skin. Follow with moisturizer.
How Often Should You Use a Callus Remover?
You should get in the habit of using your callus remover on maintenance mode once every 2 weeks. This gives the skin plenty of time to recover from the previous session. You can use the tool weekly while dealing with really heavy buildup, then scale back.
Who Should NOT Use a Callus Remover?
Don’t use a callus remover at home without first consulting a podiatrist if you have diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or poor circulation. The risk of infections is higher with over-the-counter callus treatments in these groups, according to the APMA.3 Do not use a callus remover on cracked or bleeding calluses, either.
Parting Thoughts on How to Use a Callus Remover
That concludes our guide on how to get rid of calluses on feet fast. Set yourself up for success with the callus remover and moisturizer you need at Nuvé. Shop now!
Frequently asked questions
Is it good to use callus remover on feet?
Yes. An electric callus remover safely buffs away dead skin better than a manual tool.
Do you use callus remover on wet or dry feet?
Dry feet. Wet skin will prevent the rollers from properly gripping the build-up and could cause clogs.
How often should I do callus remover?
Weekly for heavy buildup until the callus thins out, then you can move to every two weeks for maintenance.
How long should you leave a callus remover on?
You only need to work for around 5 minutes per foot.
Can callus removers damage your skin?
Only if you press too hard or go over the same area too many times. Follow our tips on how to use a callus remover safely.
Are callus removers safe for use on the hands, too?
The Silk 3 Pro is specifically designed for the feet.
References
- Moore L, quoted in Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Cleveland Clinic
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat corns and calluses. AAD
- American Podiatric Medical Association. Corns and Calluses. APMA