Are you tired of rough and tough skin on the soles of your feet? Are you so tired that you’re willing to try anything to get baby fresh skin? Well, you’ve probably heard of foot peels. But what exactly are foot peels? How do they affect your feet? In this blog, we’ll answer those questions and determine if foot peels are safe for you to use.
How Do Foot Peels Work?
Most foot peels come in the shape of foot booties. On the inside of these booties are a combination of chemicals and essential oils. Depending on the directions, you are to clean your feet entirely of any dirt, dust, and nail polish before putting on the booties. Then, you wear the booties for one to two hours. After taking the booties off, you rinse your feet and put socks on. Wait about five days, and the peeling should begin.
Foot Peel Ingredients
The most common foot peels are a combination of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), and essential oils. AHAs, like glycolic, lactic, citric, and malic acids, prevent the top layer of the epidermis from sticking together. On the other hand, BHAs, like salicylic acid, dissolve the adhesive holding thickened skin cells together. The essential oils are gentle, botanical ingredients that are natural skin conditioners and moisturizers. They’re also known to possess antibacterial properties, provide aromatherapy to your foot, and protect extra sensitive skin after the dead skin is peeled off.
Possible Risks
There are several possible risks when it comes to using foot peels. First and foremost, you must be careful if it uses anything like AHAs and DHAs. Foot peels are chemical peels for your feet. Unfortunately, no current brand discloses what percentage of their serum contains said chemicals. Not knowing how much of these chemicals are in these foot peel products can lead to chemical burns if you aren’t careful. You can also over-exfoliate, leading to blisters and skin infections, especially if you use a foot peel while you have open wounds or sores.
People with diabetes should also avoid foot peels because high blood glucose levels affect the body’s ability to heal wounds. Those with sensitive skin or a neurologic impairment that can affect one’s ability to feel pain, burning, or tingling sensations should also avoid these types of treatments.
Finally, those with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or anyone with allergies should be cautious of foot peels. Along with various acids, the peels also contain alcohol and artificial fragrances. These ingredients could be harmful to people with allergies, expecting mothers, athletes who need their feet to be extra tough, or anyone with skin sensitivities.
Should You Use Foot Peels
Honestly, the debate over foot peels is split almost down the middle. Some professionals swear by them, and others say stay away if only to protect your sensitive skin. One thing to remember is that foot peeling is often an indication of inflammation, which is not a good thing. You don’t want to be on your feet as they’re peeling, especially if you have sensitive skin are on your feet a lot during the day; you’ll have a lot of discomfort.
However, most of the reviews for the most prevalent foot peels are overwhelmingly positive, and most evidence suggests that these peels are okay for most people. Just remember, you should be cautious if you have skin sensitivities, allergies, are pregnant, or are an athlete.
Try more natural, chemical-free methods like pumice stones, foot scrubs, and pedicures for those who can’t trust that a foot peel won’t do them more harm than good.
The Foot & Ankle Center
At The Foot & Ankle Center, we care about your feet! We pride ourselves on giving out top-quality information about products, conditions, and treatments, all to do with your feet. We want our patients to be as well informed as our professional staff. If you or someone you know is looking for a podiatrist they can trust, reach out to The Foot & Ankle Center today by visiting our website or calling (314) 487-9300 to schedule an appointment.