Health

Is it true that when you remove calluses with a razor, they come back harder?

December 20, 2010 | Bookmark +

Is it true that when you remove calluses with a razor, they come back harder?

Answer

The basic answer to this question is no. Callus (also called tyloma) formation is the normal protective reaction of the skin to repeated friction or pressure which occurs over a long period of time. (If the pressure or friction occurs excessively over a short period of time, the skin does not have enough time to form the callus and the result is the formation of a fluid blister.)

Callus is a thickening of the keratin layer of the epidermis and is nature’s way of protecting the delicate structures beneath the skin from external abuse. The excessive external irritation to a particular area of the skin causes the underlying blood vessels to dilate. This in turn supplies more oxygen and other nutrients to the keratin producing layers of the skin. As a result of these extra nutrients, there is an excess production of epithelial cells in the area. As these cells are pushed upward, they cause a thickening of the horny layer of the skin. This is the callus, or tyloma. Trimming away the callus tissue does not change the actual cellular structures which produce the callus so there is no way for these cells to form “harder” callus tissue.

Remember, the nail professional should not “remove” calluses. She should smooth and soften calluses. If the callus is severe enough to require removal, the client should be referred to a podiatrist. — Dr. Mix

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What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

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What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

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