Video: Home Foot Callus Scalpel Blading! (Professional Pedicure)

Change is as good as a rest, as the old saying goes. 

I decided to change up the blog format and post a video — featuring none other than yours truly!

Yes, even professional foot pros get foot problems.

(Second video is here)

The two that afflict me, pinch callus and dry heels, are there for the long haul. 

​Video: Home Callus Scalpel Removal

Men are no good at multitasking. I found out when I made this video. 

Now, holding a sharp blade in one hand and creating skin tension with the other...

​...is what I do for a living. 

​Add in talking and keeping in shot and yeah, it was challenging! ​

Scalpel vs. Files

Ok, you shouldn't use scalpels unless you're medically trained. These things are no joke. 

​In terms of how they compare to foot files, I'd say that in most cases you can get a similar effect.

But it will take longer. 

In this video, I use a generic stainless steel one, though I prefer Gehwol pedicure files out of choice. 

(I've recently tried a Dr Scholl Velvet Smooth skin remover and will put the video up soon) ​

Big Toe Pinch Callus

Big toe pinch callus is super common. 

It's usually caused by a blocked big toe joint. This forces your toe to twist off to the side when you walk. 

What do I mean by a blocked toe joint?

In my case, and most others, I have hallux limitus. This is when the upward movement of my big toe is restricted by arthritis. 

​​As your big toe is literally the last place force goes, it has to go somewhere. So it goes off to the side. 

Dry, Yellow Heels

I get much worse yellow skin callus on my right heel than on my left. 

This is mainly due to a limb length discreprancy. 

In other words, my right leg is slightly shorter (think milimeters) so it does more work when walking. 

Now, some hard heel skin can be moisturized away. 

Not so mine. If it gets thick enough, it can and has cracked, leading to stinging fissures. 

Skin Tension

You'll notice I'm always applying a subtle skin tension away from the direction of the blade. 

​This pressure allows a smoother glide and lets me feel for subtle build-ups of skin. 

It also reduces skin feathering and tagging. The same principle applies whether you're using a file, blade or electric contraption. 

​More tension = better results. 

Foot Cream to Go With The Flow

I always use quality foot cream for callus removal. 

(Gehwol Fusskraft Mint in this case)

I'll leave it soak in for a minute or two then use it to glide the blade over.

​This has two effects.

First of all, it allows me more error room when blading.

Second, as it contains urea, it's actively moisturizing as I'm smoothing. 

I find that without using good foot cream, you take off more in one swoop. But, the remaining area is jagged and uncooled! 

Women (Have Worse Feet Than Men)​

Yep, and it's all down to those ballet-tight footwear.

Fashion is an integral part of your life. Society says so — like corsets.   

But it's not only shoes and buying apparel online is a double-edged razor. 

You can access stuff you'd never see down your McHigh Street for sweatshop prices.

Then it rocks up and looks (or fits) decidedly different from advertised.

If you've got Amazon Prime, use Try Before You Buy.

You can order six items (including shoes, kids and men's clothes) and cavort in front of a mirror trying them for 7 days. ​ You only pay for what you decide to keep. 

(Returns are free). ​