Q&A for How to Use a Pumice Stone

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  • Question
    Are pumice stones safe to use?
    Catherine Cheung, DPM
    Board Certified Podiatrist
    Dr. Catherine Cheung is a double board-certified Podiatrist based in San Francisco, California. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in all aspects of foot and ankle care, including complex reconstruction, injury treatment, custom orthotics, bunion surgery, and all general foot and ankle issues. Dr. Cheung is affiliated with the Brown & Toland Physicians and the Sutter Medical Network. She received her BS from UCLA. She earned a DPM from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, completed her residency at the Encino Tarzana Medical Center, and completed a fellowship at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery.
    Board Certified Podiatrist
    Expert Answer
    As long as you're gentle and use them in water, pumice stones are pretty easy and safe to use.
  • Question
    Do you use a pumice stone wet or dry?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It depends what you are using the pumice stone for but if it’s on your skin (exfoliation and hair removal), the pumice stone should always be made wet first, to avoid causing any injury to your skin. A pumice stone should be dry if you’re using it to remove lint from fabric and for other suitable cleaning purposes. Use of the pumice stone both for your skin and for lint removal are explained in the steps above.
  • Question
    How do you get dead skin off your feet?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There are various treatments suitable for removing dead skin from your feet, such as a pumice stone, scrubbing pastes, soaking your feet or some leave-on overnight remedies. These methods are fully explained in the wikiHow: How to Remove Dead Skin from Your Feet . You can also shave dead skin off your feet, and you’ll find help with doing this in the wikiHow: How to Shave Dead Skin Off Your Feet .
  • Question
    Can you use a pumice stone to clean a toilet?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, you certainly can use a pumice stone to clean the copper rings off a toilet bowl. Just be really careful to keep the toilet-cleaning pumice separate from any pumices you use to clean your skin. To use the pumice on your toilet bowl, wear cleaning gloves and hold the pumice in a firm grip. Rub the pumice stone over the toilet ring, scrubbing back and forth to remove it, moving around the ring until it is completely gone. Repeat for any other rings. Wash the pumice stone before storing with your cleaning products (it might help to keep it in a labelled container to avoid misusing it).
  • Question
    Will a pumice stone successfully change the color of my nipples?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Do not use a pumice stone on your nipples! They are delicate and very sensitive parts of your anatomy and scrubbing your nipples with a pumic stone will most likely cause them to bleed and feel intensely painful. Moreover, there will be no benefit in terms of color change. For help with ideas to lighten your nipples, check out the wikiHow: How to Lighten Your Nipples .
  • Question
    Can I use a pumice stone near my nose for whiteheads?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    A pumice stone is not recommended for use on facial skin because this skin is delicate and using a pumice stone may cause it to redden and even break. If used on whiteheads, scrubbing too hard can lead to skin ruptures or even bleeding, which will be painful and may also cause infection. It is best to find gentler, more effective treatments for your nose whiteheads, for example, see How to Stop Whiteheads .
  • Question
    Can I use pumice stone for dark underarms?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You can use a pumice stone to gently rub under your arms but it will only remove dead skin buildup (which may have caused skin discoloration). It won’t lighten your natural skin color beneath any grime but can have the benefit of keeping this area nicely clean and therefore brighter in appearance. If used often, in some cases it may even remove some underarm hair permanently but this is not guaranteed.
  • Question
    Can I use a pumice to clean the headlights on my car?
    Community Answer
    This is not recommended. The pumice stone may clean the headlights of any surface dirt, it will also seriously damage the plastic. Try a magic eraser sponge instead; you can find it in the cleaning department of a supermarket.
  • Question
    Where can I buy a pumice stone?
    Community Answer
    You can find them at any drug store or beauty supply store. They are typically found in the personal care or bath products section, near the loofas, sponges, and nail brushes.
  • Question
    I'm not sure what a pumice stone is. Can you describe one please?
    Community Answer
    Pumice stones are a very light and porous volcanic rock (stone); they are usually whitish or grey in color. Pumice stones are used as an abrasive, especially for removing hard or callused skin. You can see pumice stones mounted with a handle or stringed in a pharmacy and the toiletries section of a general store.
  • Question
    Can I use it to get dog hair out of a vehicle? We already tried a vacuum.
    Community Answer
    Use a thin, lightly-damp washcloth instead. Brush in circular motion, rinse, then keep going. Follow up with vacuum.
  • Question
    Will using pumice stone permanently remove hair?
    Community Answer
    No. As the article says, the stone will remove the hair close to the skin, in the same manner as shaving. The hair will grow back in a couple of days.
  • Question
    Will a pumice stone remove dark spots on my face?
    Community Answer
    Pumice stones or bars vary in consistency but most are not suited for rubbing on your face. Instead, try a dab of tea tree oil (not near your eyes) and cover it overnight with part of a band-aid (the non-absorbent part). Repeat every few days, and you should see some diminishment in colour.
  • Question
    Is it okay if it has been used to clean glass?
    Community Answer
    It might scratch or damage the glass. A towel will most likely work better.
  • Question
    Can I use a pumice stone to treat corns?
    EatingBluePaint
    Community Answer
    Yes, but make sure you dissolve the corn a bit before you use the pumice because if you just rub at it with the pumice, it will hurt a lot and probably bleed.
  • Question
    Can I use a pumice stone to make my wooden chair legs smoother?
    Community Answer
    Sandpaper will be better for smoothing your chair legs. If you need extremely smooth chair legs, you could consider high-grit automotive sandpaper.
  • Question
    Is it good to remove hair from hands? Or does it also have side effects?
    Community Answer
    Using a pumice stone to remove hand hair has no side effects. While removing hair isn't necessary, you may like the look or feel of hairless hands.
  • Question
    My pumice stone is green. Is it a cheap knockoff? Is it fake?
    Community Answer
    It could be, or it could just be dyed (which might wash off after a few uses).
  • Question
    Can a pumice stone be used on face for hair removal?
    Community Answer
    I wouldn't unless you're trying to remove a few layers of skin, too.
  • Question
    Can I use it to clean my teeth?
    Community Answer
    No. Using a pumice stone on your teeth could seriously damage them.
  • Question
    Can I use it to remove hair anywhere?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it's great for getting those hard to reach bikini areas. Use it dry with moderate pressure in a circular motion. Results will be immediately felt and seen.
  • Question
    Can I use a pumice stone to take off hair in my armpit, as well as brighten it up?
    Community Answer
    It would certainly remove the hair, although it might be a bit difficult to get around the shape of your armpit.
  • Question
    What do I do if my pumice stone starts turning black?
    Community Answer
    If it was an unnatural color, then it was probably dyed and black is the real color. Try washing your stone, as it may just be dirt. Otherwise, you can accept that this is the color of your stone, or you could try dyeing it.
  • Question
    Will a stone help for corns?
    EatingBluePaint
    Community Answer
    Yes, but make sure you dissolve the corn a bit before you use the pumice or it will bleed and/or hurt a lot.
  • Question
    Can I use a pumice stone every day for bathing?
    Community Answer
    Sure you can! Just make sure you clean it often (pick any of the cleaning methods above) if you do.
  • Question
    Can a pumice stone be used to remove rust from my radiator?
    Community Answer
    No, you can't use a pumice stone to remove rust from your radiator.
  • Question
    At what age can I use a pumice stone?
    Community Answer
    Pumice stones are not age specific, but very soft skin could be damaged easily, so it could be unsuitable for children. People of all ages can use pumice stones to grind down callouses and exfoliate.
  • Question
    How do I use a pumice stone without getting it wet?
    Community Answer
    Pumice stones work better when wet, so you do not have to worry about keeping it dry.
  • Question
    Will a pumice stone work on my hand?
    Community Answer
    A pumice stone will remove hair and calluses from your hand just like any other part of your body.
  • Question
    Is this helpful for the pores on the face?
    Community Answer
    Pumice stones are much too harsh for the delicate skin on your face and can cause skin damage and redness.
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