Generality
Pumice stone is a volcanic rock, very light and porous. This material is widely used in the cosmetic field, thanks to its slightly abrasive abilities, which make it ideal for taking care of the skin and your body in general.
What's this
Pumice stone is a volcanic rock with extremely high porosity, which makes it very light. Thanks to its abrasive properties, this rock can be useful for body care. In particular, the pumice stone is capable of eliminating dead cells and, at the same time, it can remineralize the area where it is used.
Note
The "real" pumice stone is a natural product; its primary deposits derive from acid effusive volcanic eruptions. Today, pumice can be difficult to find for sale; in many cases, in fact, they are artificial "reproductions".
Pumice stone exists in different variations in composition and grain.
Pumice is commonly white, since there is a prevalence of amorphous silica, but it can also take on a cream, gray, green or black color. The darker color variants are also rich in other minerals, such as iron.
Pumice stone is formed mainly from acid, silicatic or felsic magmas. As regards the composition, the mass is mainly composed of silica, with various dissolved metal oxides (aluminum, titanium, iron, manganese and others).
The different percentage of the compounds present confers to the pumice stone are not different chromatic shades, but also more or less marked properties. The white pumice has a light structure and coarse grain, while the dark variants are heavier and rough.
The inert characteristics of the pumice stone do not cause any risk of silicogen type during use.
Features
- Porous appearance : the incandescent mass from which the pumice stone originates cools quickly, trapping inside the gas bubbles; the latter, solidifying, create small internal cavities and make the structure of the pumice stone similar to foam. The particular porous texture of the rock gives it a lower density than that of water.
- Lightness: if thrown into the water, the pumice stone does not sink; in fact, its lightness allows it to float. This characteristic derives from its effusive volcanic nature, which makes its structure to spherical cells (roundish), but, in most cases, communicating with each other through an incomplete closure.
- Versatility: pumice stones lend themselves to being used in many sectors: from body hygiene to industrial activities, including building (insulation and inert fillers for resins) and the textile sector (eg stone wash for the effect aged jeans). Another application of pumice is horticulture and nursery gardening. This material can be used, in fact, for the production of soil substrates.
What is it for?
Thanks to its abrasive action, the pumice stone allows the exfoliation of dead cells present at the superficial level of the skin. This treatment gives the skin a smooth and luminous appearance.
Pumice falls into the category of physical exfoliants : the mechanism of action is based on the mechanical rubbing applied to the skin of natural stone or powdered inside cosmetic products.
Possible applications
Pumice stone can be of great help in beauty routines and body wellness. Its application is suitable for the treatment of different areas, such as feet, hands, nails and hair-covered areas.
- Pumice stone can be natural, packaged in practical forms or reduced to powder to be introduced into scrub creams.
- Pumice stone is an ally in foot care: used immediately after a shower or a foot bath, it allows you to smooth the skin and remove calluses, corns and dead skin that ends up thickening and causing painful cracks.
- In addition to the treatment of thickened or calloused areas of the lower extremities, the pumice stone can be used in the treatment of nail cuticles.
- Applied to body hygiene, the powdered pumice stone combined with a cleansing gel or cream can perform a delicate scrub, which allows the skin to be smoothed and, among other things, helps to reactivate blood circulation.
Body care: in what forms and where is it found?
Pumice stone can come in different forms (natural, powder or cosmetic ingredient).
Depending on the intended use, they can be found on the market:
- Stones with ergonomic handles;
- Pumice powder;
- Foot files and abrasive brushes for the body;
- Exfoliating slippers with pumice stone insole;
- Exfoliating body cleansers or creams;
- Limes or cuticles for manicure.
How to use
For foot care
Pumice stone can be used to remove the rough, dry skin that forms on the soles of the feet and on the heels. Through its abrasive surface, it is possible to remove dead cells and remove any calluses.
Before proceeding with treatment with pumice stone, it is necessary to soften the affected areas with hot water and specific products (foot bath). Afterwards, the stone is rubbed with a light pressure on the interested parts, paying particular attention to all those areas that appear thicker and harder to touch. The movements must be circular, delicate and gradual, being careful not to exert too much force. The risk is to incur scratches and / or injuries.
At the end, you should rinse with a mild soap or wipe with a damp cloth to remove residues, dry the area and apply a moisturizing cream with a massage.
For hand care
The same procedure used for foot exfoliation can be applied to the hands. In the latter case, however, it is necessary to use a less rough pumice stone, as the skin of the hands is more sensitive and delicate than that of the feet.
This stone can also be used on the elbows, an area often subject to dryness. Once finished, the areas must be buffered with a cloth and hydrated with creams or specific products.
For nail and cuticle care
- The pumice stone can be found in the form of useful tools for a more complete home manicure. In particular, there are lime (even double-ended) and cuticle pusher (elongated stick characterized by a flat and thinner tip) to eliminate dead cells that are present at the base of the nail.
- The pumice stone can also be used to file nails.
For body exfoliation
Pumice stone is excellent for removing dead cells from the skin. This can be gently passed through the affected areas of the body after exposure to the hot shower jet.
For hair removal
- Pumice stone can be used for removing unwanted hair. The result obtained is similar to that obtained with the use of the razor. In fact, through the use of pumice stone, hairs are simply broken off at skin level and not extracted from the root. To obtain results, it will be necessary to take a shower or a warm bath, in order to dilate the pores and soften the hair; within a few seconds it will then be essential to pass the wet stone, always with circular movements and without exerting excessive pressure, so as to avoid injury, abrasion and ulceration.
- Pumice stone can also be useful for removing ingrown hairs. The pumice will make them resurface on the surface allowing them to be eliminated with normal hair removal treatments (eg waxing) or depilation (such as razor and depilatory creams). In these cases, it is advisable to use it in the shower, after having hydrated the skin. The movements must always be large and circular.
Contraindications
- If the pumice stone is used too vigorously, it can be irritating to the skin. Therefore, when redness, increased sensitivity and sensation of heat begin to appear in the treated area, it is advisable to suspend the use of this instrument immediately. In fact, these symptoms indicate that the skin is too sensitive for this type of treatment.
- Do not use the pumice stone in case of cuts, wounds that are still healing and bruises, to avoid further worsening the state of the skin and to feel pains and burns.
- Do not buy a pumice stone for non-cosmetic use, which may have jagged edges and irritate the skin, rather than guaranteeing good exfoliation.
Some advice
- Depending on the area of the body on which the product is applied, it is important to choose a pumice stone suitable for composition and grain. In the exfoliation of callosities of the foot, for example, rough pumice stones are indicated, while for depilation of the arms thinner granules are advisable, for a more delicate effect.
- Before proceeding with the treatment, wash thoroughly with warm-lukewarm water or soak the affected area for about ten minutes (foot bath) in order to make the removal of dry and hard parts more simple and painless.
- Always use the pumice stone on damp and never dry skin, always avoiding to exert too vigorous pressures on the areas to be treated, so as to prevent abrasions and wounds; the movements should always be slow and delicate.
- Do not insist too much on the area and do not try to remove the thickening of the skin at once, to avoid irritation: it is better to repeat the operation several times over a week to avoid compromising the integrity of the epidermis to be treated.
- Once the exfoliation with the pumice stone has been completed, remember to remove the excess residue with a soft cloth or wash the affected part, then dry the area as well as possible.
- At the end of the treatment, it is advisable to apply a moisturizing cream with a massage for greater softness.
- Allow the pumice stone to dry completely after use. This care is necessary to avoid that the germs that proliferate in humid environments, together with the dead skin accumulated in the pores of the instrument, cause infections or other problems during the subsequent treatment.
