Calluses are hard. We mean, they're a collection of hardened dead skin cells, right? So, calluses are hard, but even harder is the process of buying a callus remover. So, to ease this decision of yours here is a complete 101 to these gadgets and how to go about buying them:
What Are the Different Types of Callus Removers?
There are primarily three types of callus removers:
- Manual Callus Removers
- Gel-based Callus Removers
- Electric Callus Removers
Let's now look at the characteristics that make each type differs from one another, shall we?
Manual callus removers
A manual callus remover can be in the form of a razer, foot file, or pumice stone. Its application, however, is the same. The callus remover must be operated manually. They are usually extremely cheap and travel-friendly. However, this type requires a lot of effort and there's a high chance of missing some calloused spots.
Electric callus removers
Talking about missing dead skin spots and effort, an electric callus remover knocks these issues out of the park. As its name suggests, an electric callus remover works on electric batteries and brings with it the sophistication and convenience of technology.
You don't have to manually weed out the calluses as the remover's rollers are coated with sandpaper which buffs away the rough and dead skin. On the flip side, electric callus removers are relatively more expensive and must be recharged.
Gel-based callus removers
The two types of callus removers that we just took you through are all about grating your dead skin away. The gel-based type, on the other hand, utilizes a rich blend of ingredients to break down your calluses and make the dead skin easy to peel away.
Buying Tips
Now that you know all about the different types of callus removers, here are two tips to help you make a more informed decision about your upcoming purchase:
Cleanability
Your new callus shaver will be doing the dirty work for you. So, it is important to keep it all clean and tidy. For that, it must be easy to clean. Whether it is a manual hand-held tool or an electric rod, make sure that the device is easy to maintain. Removable rollers that can easily be cleaned should be preferred.
Durability
This one's quite obvious, but make sure that your new callus remover is well-built and is sure to last you some years. Many manufacturers supplement their claims of superior durability with some sort of a warranty package that should be looked out for. We also recommend checking out the customer reviews that talk about the quality of the tool.
Things to Consider
You must consider these two factors when looking for a new callus remover:
Longevity
We did talk about durability, and a durable callus remover will last you long, right? Well, you should also make sure that the manufacturer provides the option to buy additional rollers. The overall serving size of the cream callus remover should also be considered.
Formulation
Now, this consideration is only for the cream-based callus removers, mind you, so you must ensure that the ingredients used in its composition are rich and cruelty-free. Names to look out for are urea, potassium hydroxide, and salicylic acid. You can get a good idea of the formula's efficacy by checking out the customer reviews.
Convenience
An important factor that will determine the type of callus remover that you ultimately go for is the convenience you are looking for. Manual callus removers in the form of razors and filers are super compact and can be taken on the road.
Electric ones, on the other hand, would require an outlet or a pair of batteries to operate. They would also be relatively bigger. However, the battery-powered sole cleaner will be a lot less tiring to operate, not to mention super efficient!
How We Chose These Callus Removers
We looked at these two factors when shortlisting the best callus removers:
User-friendliness
We ensured that our top-picked callus removers were super easy to use and operate. We made sure that the gel-based callus removers were easy to spread, and the hand-held ones came with instructional manuals.
Ergonomics
Another thing that we made sure of was the ergonomics of the callus remover. Things like non-slip grips and anti-fatigue handles go a long way in making your home pedicure a lot more fun and relaxing. Trust us when we say that you do not want a callus gel that is hard to squeeze out or a hand-held tool that is hard to maneuver.