Overview
Pumice is a porous volcanic rock created during explosive eruptions. Although hard to the touch, the tiny bubbles frozen inside a pumice stone’s delicate, rigid structure make it look quite a bit like a sponge. This characteristic appearance results from gas bubbles frozen among the complex silicates. You’ll find pumice stones readily available in most grocery or beauty supply stores for only a few dollars.
Appearance
Pumice stones can be anywhere from nearly white to brown or very dark gray in color. They are sold in all shapes, from smooth, rounded forms to rectangular bars and may even have a rope or cord pierced through them for use as a hanger.
Uses
While pumice stones are useful in a variety of applications, including removing splinters, as an ingredient in body scrubs or scouring away hard water stains, their original intended use is as a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin, corns, calluses and sometimes even warts. While pumice stones can be used on any part of your body where rough skin develops, they’re most commonly used on the feet.
Normal Exfoliating
Always wet both your feet and the pumice stone before use. Even better, soak your feet in a tub of warm water for at least 10 minutes. This will help soften any corns, calluses or dead skin. Wash your feet with your soap of choice, then rub the pumice stone gently back and forth over any corns. Don’t try to remove a corn or callus all at once; instead, work the skin off a layer at a time over the course of several treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic, this may take a week or more. You can also lightly stroke the stone across parts of your feet that are not callused; just don’t overdo it.
Rinse both your feet and the pumice stone thoroughly with warm water, then either hang the pumice stone (if it came with a cord) or place it in a draining soap rack so that the water will drain out of it.
Modifications
If you’re a fan of aromatherapy, you can create your own scented pumice stones. Blend jojoba oil and your favorite essential oil together, warm the mixture in a double boiler or a saucepan over low heat, dip cotton balls in the liquid, and rub the pumice stone with the cotton balls until it’s thoroughly saturated with the scent. Let it dry for 24 hours before using.
Contraindications
If you’re a diabetic, consult with your doctor before using a pumice stone. The Mayo clinic recommends against diabetics using pumice stones at all because of the risk of infection, while the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends diabetics should use the pumice stone, but only to slough away dead skin—not on corns or calluses. Since professional opinions differ, you and your doctor will be able to make the best determination in your particular case.
