Experts have sounded the alarm over a ‘lethal’ tool used during pedicures that can cause burning, blistering and can make thick crusty skin even tougher.
Calluses — larger patches of rough, thick skin — are a common foot problem that can trigger discomfort if left untreated.
Some nail salons offer callus removal as part of a pedicure, opting for a cheese grater-like device or ‘callus shaver’.
But such devices, dubbed ‘lethal’ by one podiatrist, would not be used by qualified health professionals because of the potential harm to the skin, experts said.
While they are permitted for use in the UK and can be brought online for as little as £4, health professionals have long warned against their use, arguing they are ‘too coarse and abrasive’ for the delicate skin on the feet.
Such is the harm that the device is even banned in several US states, including Georgia and Minnesota.
It comes as one woman claimed such devices — used during her pedicures — ‘ruined’ her feet.
In the TikTok video, seen more than 925,000 times, US user @sheisher said: ‘I actually feel like pedicures ruined my feet.
Some nail salons offer callus removal as part of a pedicure, opting for a cheese grater-like device or ‘callus shaver’ (pictured: stock image)
‘Cheese grater devices’ (pictured: stock image), dubbed ‘lethal’ by one podiatrist, would not be used by qualified health professionals, experts said
‘I was never a fan of pedicures to begin with, I’ve always thought they were weird.
‘Before I was actually getting full-blown pedicures my feet were actually soft. On my heels, I didn’t have that hard skin.
‘And when I started getting pedicures I feel like they were shaving too much of the skin off of my heel and then it would grow back calcified or hard.’
She added: ‘I stopped getting them for a while and I feel like my feet went back to normal.
‘Sometimes I feel like they scrub too much off.’
Responding to the video, one user commented: ‘Stop using the cheese grater, that’s step one.’
Another said: ‘I don’t let them use the cheese grater on my feet and my feet are so soft.
‘When I first started saying no, the nail tech said “smart girl”.’
In the TikTok video, seen more than 925,000 times, US user @sheisher said: ‘I actually feel like pedicures ruined my feet’
A third added: ‘Yes this is true! I no longer allow them to use a cheese grater.’
‘The grater thing ruined my feet! I stopped going. Now my feet are back to normal,’ a fourth also wrote.’
Calluses are typically caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin, such as wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes, shoes that are the wrong size or not wearing socks with shoes.
The NHS advises Brits to visit their pharmacy for advice on heel pads, insoles, which provide extra cushioning for hard skin, and pain relief to help manage calluses.
But for specialist treatment, it recommends visiting a podiatrist who can cut away calluses and use moisturising stick-on patches to help soften the hard skin.
They may also make specialist insoles to take pressure off the painful area of the foot.
Podiatrists also told MailOnline that qualified professionals would never opt for the cheese grater-like devices which ‘look lethal’.
Instead, they would often use nail clippers, foot files, scalpels and single use blades — to prevent infection.
For specialist treatment, the NHS recommends visiting a podiatrist who can cut away calluses and soften skin using stick-on moisturising patches and foot files
Other health professionals have long warned that such devices can be harmful and can cause cuts, irritation or even infections because they are ‘too abrasive’.
Dr Jacqueline Sutera, a New York-based certified podiatric surgeon said: ‘When these go too deep and are used on patients with thin skin, poor circulation, or diabetes, it can cause burns and terrible wounds or infections.
‘Creams that have gentler ingredients like urea and lactic acid and can be used several times a week to keep skin smooth and thin out calluses in little time.’
Miami Center for Dermatology owner, Dr Deborah Longwill also told New Beauty: ‘Too much exfoliation can remove the protective barriers on your skin and actually cause more callous buildup.
‘Other signs of over-exfoliation include burning, blistering, pain, infection, and thick crusty skin on the heels.’
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
