How to soften feet and heels overnight; treatment tips from a dermatologist.

How to soften feet overnight? It's a 911 stat emergency when cute sandals beckon. I’ve got a home remedy product combo that works wonders to whip rough feet into shape fast. Keep these products on hand for when you've neglected your feet and now have a fun event that calls for your favorite sandals.

Nothing spoils the look of a great pair of sandals more than cracked heels and scaly feet. My patients know how much I love really stylish and nice shoes – sandals included. I want soft and smooth feet in my nice sandals. I also just love the feel of my feet when they are soft, hydrated and free from cracks, calluses and roughness. - Dermatologist, Skin Wellness Expert, shoe fanatic and 61+ year old dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey

Men and women are prone to thick and rough feet. I’ve seen it on skin exams for years. Nobody likes having rough feet, and the skin can get so thick that it hurts. One pedicure helps but consistent maintenance is required to keep feet skin soft and attractive through sandal season.

After menopause women really battle with thick and rough feet. The phenomenon is called keratoderma climactericum.

It's yet another skin frustration of menopause. I'm a post menopause expert having gone through it early in my 40s and again with a surgical 'Menopause 2 - The Sequel' after having my ovaries removed at 56 because I carry the BRCA mutation for breast and ovarian cancer. Apparently, the post-menopausal ovaries were sputtering something because once they were yanked out my menopause symptoms returned with a vengeance - keratoderma climactericum too! I make soft feet care a regular part of my skin care routine thanks to mother nature's havoc with my feet. 

What are the most common causes of rough skin, cracked heels and scaly feet?

Pressure and friction from wearing sandals and walking barefoot. 

This is actually a natural protective response to rough use. Calluses are a natural protective thickening to specific areas of skin exposed to repeated pressure. The entire ball of the foot, lateral side of the foot, and heel can thicken with or without calluses.

Keratoderma climactericum is a very common cause of thick heals and rough feet

This is a change in foot skin secondary to the hormone changes of menopause. I know this all too well and I treat my feet at least once a week with the routine in my Soft Feet Rough Skin Remover Kit to keep them soft.

Genetic conditions can lead to thick foot skin.

I’ve had all the reasons for rough feet so I’m a pro at this. As a dancer and athlete, I’ve been hard on my feet all my life. In addition, I’m genetically predisposed to dry skin, which leads to rough feet. And now, after menopause, nature conspires yet again to rough up my feet. And, I like soft feet that look good in cute sandals. Thus, I'm a pro at keeping feet soft!

Athlete's Foot Fungal Infection can cause thick skin on your feet.

Usually, athlete's foot will itch but not always. You can have a foot fungal infection on top of any of the reasons for rough feet that I stated above. In fact, the more dead cells stuck on your skin the bigger the banquet for foot fungus. If you think you have a fungal foot infection click here for my dermatologist's tips to treat athlete's foot. 

Dermatologist's tips for the best way to soften, smooth and fight cracked heels and callouses on your feet?

Use a combination of chemical exfoliation with high concentration glycolic acid plus physical exfoliation with various grades of foot sanding tools. 

• chemical exfoliation using a glycolic acid cream will loosen the 'glue' holding the rough and thick skin together, and

• physical exfoliation with a pumice stone and foot file will remove the softened dead scale built-up on your feet.

Follow these steps and you will reveal smoother skin below for baby soft feet.

If your feet are just a little scaly you can get them in good shape in just one treatment. If you have neglected your feet then it may take a few days of treatment to get the job done.

Important cautions for treating rough skin on your feet:

This is a strong and definitive treatment for rough scaly feet. You don’t want to treat too much all in one setting if your feet are really thick and rough. Restart treatment at the earliest sign of skin roughness. Also, diabetics, people with compromised circulation or numbness in their feet need physician supervision for treating their feet. 

The best treatment to get soft feet overnight is.......

My Soft Feet Rough Skin Remover Kit. The kit works great for both men and women. I combine a strong AHA exfoliating body lotion that works really well on rough feet with the best pumice and the perfect foot file. I use these products and routine for my own hard-working feet. They’ve also helped countless people in my practice.

These are the ‘tools’ I personally depend on for my own hard-working feet. Rough, cracked and scaly feet don’t have to ruin the look of a great pair of sandals this season!

Author: Dr. Cynthia Bailey M.D. is a Board Certified dermatologist practicing dermatology since 1987. She has done well over 200,000 skin exams during her career and authors the longest running physician written skin health blog in the world.