Callus
Also called: Hard skin and Corn
A patch of thick, hard skin the body builds where the foot or hand rubs or bears weight, most often on the heel, ball of the foot or a toe.
A callus is the skin's answer to pressure and friction: it thickens to protect itself. On the feet it forms on the heels, under the big toe joint and along the outer edge, made worse by sandals, long hours standing and dry heat. A corn is a small, deeper version with a hard centre, usually on a toe. A callus is not an infection and not a wart.
In a pedicure the therapist softens hard skin in the soak and reduces it with a foot file, stopping while the skin is still smooth rather than raw. Blades are not used in a home pedicure; removing too much at once makes the skin grow back thicker and can cause a wound. Afterwards, a thick urea cream at night slows the return.
Heel care in the Hamd Beauty classic and gel pedicure softens and smooths this hard skin. If a callus is painful, cracked or bleeding, or you have diabetes or poor circulation, see a doctor or podiatrist rather than a beauty therapist. This is general information, not medical advice.
