How to Use a Pumice Stone? Personal Care & Hair Removal

Pumice stone, due to its unique texture and properties, has been utilized in personal care for ages. Being lightweight, porous, and rough in nature, it is mainly used in foot care. But, this does not end here.

Its versatility extends beyond foot care where it can help in the removal of calluses, unwanted hair on the body, and even ingrown hair. So, you can give yourself extensive personal care at home with just a stone. Want to know how to use a pumice stone to make your skin hair-free and smooth? Let’s discuss it!

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is a Pumice Stone?
• Part 2: How to Use a Pumice Stone for Feet?
• Part 3: How to Use Pumice Stone for Hair Removal?
• Part 4: FAQs

Part 1: What is a Pumice Stone?

A pumice stone is a porous volcanic rock formed when an erupted lava cools down. It is hard, lightweight, and spongy in appearance. The stone has an abrasive nature thus it can be used as an exfoliant to remove dead cells from the skin surface. Let’s explore more about the stone!

Benefits

• It is very cheap and easily available
• Ground pumice is often used in dentistry as a toothpolish 
• It can help soften the thickened skin in hyperkeratotic tissues [1] and calluses and also helps in getting rid of warts  
• You can use the stone to remove the dead and dry skin from the cracked heels of your foot resulting in soft and smooth skin
• People also use the stone often for hair removal and getting rid of the ingrown hair
• A single pumice stone can work for years 

Pumice Stone Side Effects and Potential Risks 

• Using pumice stones on sensitive skin can be a bit uncomfortable
• Applying too much pressure can cause redness and breakouts on the skin
• Pumice stones can also increase the risk of infections 

Part 2: How to Use a Pumice Stone for Feet?

Preparation

Since pumice stone is abrasive, it can be risky to use without proper preparation. To use it effectively and safely on your feet, follow these tips:

• Since the skin on the heels becomes hard due to calluses or warts, you must soften it a bit by soaking the feet in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes as mentioned by Healthline [2]
• For extra softening, you can also add oil or soap to the water 
• While soaking your feet in warm water, soak the pumice stone in water. It will reduce the friction and let the stone glide smoothly across the skin thus minimizing the chances of abrasions

Ste-by-Step Instructions

• After the given time, remove your feet from the water and take out the pumice stone as well
• Touch your feet to check whether the skin has softened or not. If not, keep them in water for another 5 minutes
• Once the skin is soft enough, you can use the pumice stone. The Skin must be soft but not wrinkly as mentioned by Joei Tavernise, a medical aesthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare while talking to mbg [3] 
• Hold it firmly in your hand and start sloughing away the dead skin cells from the heels of your feet by moving the stone in a circular motion
• Start from heels and then move the stone towards the side of your toes and other areas where there is dead cell buildup
• Do it for 2 to 3 minutes or until the dead cells are completely sloughed off thus revealing the softer skin beneath  

Also, stop using the stone if you start feeling any discomfort or pain while rubbing the stone against your skin 

Tips to Use a Pumice Stone

A pumice stone can be very helpful when used the right way. Here are some tips that you can keep in mind while exfoliating the hardened feet’ skin with pumice stone:

•  If you have any cuts, scrapes, or lesions on the skin then avoid using pumice stone on the affected areas as it can be painful and cause bleeding
• After using the pumice stone, moisturize the feet with any gentle moisturizer to make it more smooth and soft
• Pumice stone can accumulate germs therefore soak it in any antibacterial solution once every week to reduce the risk of infections
• Use the stone in short and gentle strokes 
• Avoid sharing the stone with other people as it can transfer bacteria or viruses from one person to the other

Part 3: How to Use Pumice Stone for Hair Removal?

Pumice stone is also a great tool for achieving hairless silky and smooth skin at home. Note that hair removal with pumice stone might not be effective for all but it can be helpful for arms and legs hair removal. Here is how to use the stone for hair removal:

• First, you need to soften your hair and skin. For this purpose, you can either take a warm water shower or soak the area in warm water for a few minutes
• Take any shower gel or soap to thoroughly clean the targeted area. It ensures that the skin has no bacteria and reduces the risk of infection
• Lather up the soap or gel. You can also use any oil to lubricate the area and start rubbing the stone in gentle, circular motions in the required area
• Initiate the hair removal from one end of the area and then slowly move it toward the other end. For example, for legs, you can start near the ankles and then move upwards
• Apply gentle pressure and move it in alternating clockwise and anticlockwise motion
• Keep doing this until all the hair is removed
• Then rinse the area with warm water, pat it dry, and apply a lightweight moisturizer to that area 

However, you must keep in mind that using the pumice stone on delicate areas like a bikini area or face can cause redness and pain therefore it must be used carefully in these areas. Moreover, it can be difficult to remove coarse hair with a stone so use other hair removal methods for areas with such hair. 

Part 4: FAQs

Can You Use a Pumice Stone in the Shower?

Yes, pumice stone can be used in the shower. It is, in fact, easier to use the stone in a shower as it can help soften the skin, reduce friction, and let the pumice stone move smoothly across the skin surface.

But make sure that it is a warm water shower. Just shower like you usually do and your skin will be ready for both exfoliation and hair removal.  

Can You Use a Pumice Stone on Your Face?

Since pumice stone has a rough texture, therefore people often wonder whether it can be used on the face or not. Using the stone for the face is ok but you must need to be careful during the procedure. Be extra gentle and stop even if you feel a little discomfort.

Moreover, if you have extra sensitive skin or active acne then using the pumice stone will not be a great decision. 

How to Clean a Pumice Stone?

After using the pumice stone, rinse it under warm water and use a toothbrush to clean every nook and corner of the stone while letting the water flow over it. Then let it dry and store it in a dry place.

For deep cleaning, mix hot water and soap and let the stone soak in the solution for a few hours. Then use a toothbrush to clean it thoroughly and remove all the solution from the stone. 

Do Pumice Stones Wear Out?

Yes, it does. As the pumice stone is rubbed against the skin, it wears over time. The surface can get smoother and the stone gets smaller but the process is slow. These stones can take a few months to almost 5 years to wear out. You can replace them once they lose their exfoliating property. 

Conclusion

Pumice stone is a pocket-friendly way of removing the dead cells from the skin’s surface and getting rid of unwanted hair. It can also help soften the calluses and corns and make your foot smooth.

By incorporating this little stone into your personal care regimen, you can achieve smooth and healthier skin without having to use harsh chemical exfoliants on the skin. However, you must make sure that your skin is suitable for this treatment before using the stone. Also, clean it after every use to prevent the risk of infections. 

References

[1] Baden HP. The pumice stone in dermatologic therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1980 Jan;2(1):29-30. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(80)80287-8. PMID: 7354146. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7354146/ 

[2] How to Use Pumice Stone by Kiara Anthony. September 11, 2023. Healthline.

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-a-pumice-stone 

[3] How To Use A Pumice Stone, From The Pros + What Not To Do by Hannah Frye. mbg Lifestyle. 

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-use-pumice-stone