Rough skin on the feet is a common problem that causes women a lot of anxiety. This cosmetic defect makes it impossible to wear open shoes and looks ugly on the beach. However, every girl can cope with this disadvantage. To do this, just use regular pumice. Moreover, today you can find many types of this simple tool.
What is pumice stone for feet?
Pumice is a substance that can be naturally occurring or made from synthetic materials. This tool has a solid and at the same time porous structure. Thanks to this, it is possible to cope with dead cells, soften and cleanse the skin. Pumice will remove calluses, corns and make the skin soft.
In advanced cases, you should not hope for an instant result. To achieve a noticeable effect, you need to carry out daily procedures for a week. If the skin is in normal condition, then once a week will be enough.
What is pumice made from?
Pumice is a volcanic glass with a porous structure. It is formed by the release of gases in the event of rapid solidification of lava. The color range of this substance is determined by the valence of iron. It can be brown or black. There is also yellow, blue and even white pumice.
In this case, pumice for feet can be natural or synthetic. In the first case, it is possible to easily deal with rough skin particles. However, natural pumice also has certain disadvantages. For example, it easily absorbs water and dries poorly. Therefore, microbes multiply quickly in natural pumice. Such instruments should be periodically disinfected and replaced more often.
Artificial pumice does not absorb water, and therefore pathogenic microflora does not multiply in it. In addition, this material dries quite quickly. It has a fairly delicate structure, but at the same time perfectly cleanses the skin.
You can also find a lot of metal foot scrapers on sale. However, it is important to consider that such devices seriously damage the skin, and therefore they should be used with extreme caution.
How to properly use a pumice stone and clean your heels
To prevent pumice from damaging your skin, it is very important to use this tool correctly. Before starting the procedure, the skin needs to be steamed for a few seconds. To remove rough particles, use circular movements. However, you should not press too hard.
After completing the procedure, the legs should be rinsed with cold water and treated with moisturizer. This will prevent drying out.
However, the use of pumice is contraindicated in the following situations:
- For treating epithelium that is too dry. Even an electric tool, which has the ability to set the minimum operating mode, can cause discomfort and lead to skin damage if you do not take a steam bath before starting the procedure. To increase its effectiveness, sea salt is added to the water. Also an excellent addition would be starch or a decoction made from chamomile.
- For damaged areas. Pumice stone helps deal with rough and hard skin. It can be used to remove dead skin. If you use this tool to treat damaged areas, there is a risk of burning and irritation of the skin.
- For everyday use. The main task of this device is to remove excess skin. After achieving results, it is recommended to reduce the use of pumice, since an aggressive procedure can damage healthy skin.
Which pumice is better to choose: review
Today you can find many types of pumice on sale that help deal with dead skin particles and not damage healthy areas.
Faberlic (Faberlic) double-sided brush
The double-sided brush perfectly removes rough calluses and corns. With its help you can make the skin of your feet much softer. Using a small file, you can tidy up the skin that is in hard-to-reach areas. The main pumice has two sides - a fine and a large grater.
This device is made of stainless steel and rubberized plastic. To get the desired effect, it is recommended to treat the skin with pumice and then put on special silicone socks. Thanks to this, the skin will become more even and smooth.
Electric file Scholl Velvet Smooth
Thanks to the use of a roller file, you can carefully get rid of the upper layers of skin, which will make your feet perfectly soft and tender. To get an excellent result, no steaming procedure is required - all you need to do is apply a roller to rough areas.
The ergonomic shape makes the process much easier. Thanks to the use of this tool, you can achieve truly precise movements. The file is completely harmless, it does not leave any damage on the skin and prevents the occurrence of inflammatory processes.
Ped Egg Foot Grater
Thanks to the presence of special grinding plates in this tool, it is possible to gently remove rough skin. As a result, you can get the maximum. This device has an original egg shape. And due to the ergonomic design, its use is greatly facilitated. This grater turns everyday foot care into a pleasure.
When removing rough skin, its particles fall into a special container. Thanks to this, the grater can be easily used in any environment. There are more than 135 plates on the working surface that have a grinding effect, and therefore it is possible to gently clean the skin without damaging it.
Natural pumice stone
Natural pumice helps to gently remove rough skin particles. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to cleanse pores, stimulate active points, improving the functioning of the entire body. Natural pumice is made from volcanic lava, which makes it amazingly resistant to various factors.
With the systematic use of this remedy, it is possible to permanently cope with foot problems and get soft and tender heels.
Foot graters equipped with an abrasive sticker are recommended for dry polishing. Moreover, they are suitable for already treated skin. This grater must have a plastic base, since the wooden material will become moldy over time. Artificial pumice is made from polymer materials. What advantages does it have? Watch the video:
Many people suffer from such a seemingly trivial problem as rough skin on the feet. Of course, you can simply ignore it and hope that it will go away on its own. But then corns and calluses appear, which leads to even greater problems. It is then that we begin to look for a remedy that will help us overcome all the troubles with the skin of our feet. Of course, you can buy creams or ointments, but they are often ineffective. And then we remember the inconspicuous stone that has been used for this purpose for centuries. often used for cosmetic purposes and allows them to always remain beautiful.
What is pumice?
When we hear the word “pumice,” we immediately imagine turned pieces of foam concrete or hewn household slag. But all these artificial means have nothing in common with natural stone. In nature, pumice is a light glassy mass that is erupted by a volcano. It is formed during the foaming of gases that dissolve under the influence of temperature. The formation of pumice is similar to the way gas comes out of a soda bottle. Only in the second case we get only harmless foam, and in the first we get a complex and unsafe material in natural conditions.
Pumice in our house
Despite its inconspicuous appearance, this porous stone is often used for interior design. It is often used to make the basis for various floral decorations. To create a natural place for planting plants, it is necessary to hollow out small depressions in the stones.
But, of course, pumice stone is most often used for the feet, more precisely for their healing, removing the stratum corneum, combating calluses and corns, and caring for the skin of the feet.
Why do you need pumice?
Many people believe that it has long ceased to be a topical remedy, but this is not at all true. Even today, when everyone can find a wide variety of creams, masks and oils in cosmetic stores, natural pumice for feet remains quite popular. It perfectly softens the skin, removing dead layers of the epidermis, which allows it to easily compete with professional scrubs. It also helps eliminate calluses and corns and make your skin more soft. That is why pumice stone for feet, reviews of which indicate its effectiveness, remains the cheapest way to maintain the beauty of your feet. Of course, you shouldn't expect very quick results. You will be able to see the first improvements only after about a week and only with daily use. And then you will need to regularly
How to properly use pumice at home?
The appearance of this pebble is not particularly attractive. In addition, many believe that pumice stone for feet is a rather “aggressive” remedy. They say it can do more harm than good. But such statements can only be spread by those who simply do not know how pumice stone is used for feet. How to use it correctly?
- Never use pumice on dry feet. First, thoroughly clean them of dirt, steam them in hot water and dry them a little with a towel. You can add sea salt, various herbal decoctions, and starch to the steam bath. This way you will enhance the effect of using pumice.
- This remedy can only be used on those parts of the legs that have rough or keratinized skin. After you run it over your feet and heels a few times, you will immediately see some results. The dead skin will simply begin to flake off. When you feel a slight burning sensation, stop the procedure immediately.
- It is not recommended to use pumice constantly. To achieve the effect, you need to “wash off” unnecessary skin for 1-2 weeks, and after that, just carry out preventive measures once every seven days.
- After completing the procedure, be sure to rinse your feet with cool water and apply a nourishing cream.
How to choose the right pumice?
Pumice stone is also used for feet for irritation, calluses and corns. How to use it was described above. This method is suitable for solving many problems with the skin of the feet and heels.
Now you need to find out how to choose this foot care product, because a good pumice stone for your feet will help you avoid most problems with them. Today, you can choose any pumice stone that you can find in a cosmetic store, but avoid so-called unnatural, synthetic products. Firstly, they are inferior in quality to natural ones. Secondly, they are not so hard in structure, so they are more likely to break and crumble during use. Of course, try to choose a product that is comfortable to hold in your hand, as well as one that has small pores, as it will be more gentle on the skin.
Types of pumice
Today there are two types of pumice: natural and artificial. Natural is more preferable, as it is made from volcanic rocks and is porous and lightweight. It can be used by allergy sufferers without any problems, as it is an ecological product that does not cause irritation or redness. Even if you accidentally injure your skin with natural pumice for your feet, you do not have to worry about inflammation. It also doesn't break. Despite all the advantages, it also has disadvantages: such pumice for feet takes on water too quickly and then takes a very long time to dry, and this can lead to microbes multiplying in its pores. Therefore, always ensure that the pumice remains dry.
Artificial pumice stones are quite diverse. For example, you can find a gentle product that is often used on the hands to improve their condition after hard physical work. Its features are as follows: it does not swell if it is wet, microbes do not multiply in it, and it can retain its original appearance for a long time. But remember that artificial stone can crumble and cause inflammation on damaged skin.
Using pumice for pedicure
For a better pedicure, use a pumice stone before the procedure. First, wash and steam your feet, then apply a stone to all rough parts of the skin. Rinse and dry your feet. Now you can process the nails themselves and apply varnish to them. Remember not to use pumice stones around nails that are already coated with polish.
Modern pumice
Today, in addition to ordinary pumice, you can buy various modern products that also help care for the skin of the feet and heels. So, for example, the so-called liquid pumice for feet, which is sold in the form of a scrub, has become very popular. With it you can deeply cleanse the skin, soften and moisturize it. The main feature of this pumice stone is its special powdery particles, which exfoliate rough skin and make the feet soft and tender. Liquid pumice often contains propolis and beeswax, which enhance the effectiveness of the product. The scrub should be applied to wet feet and massaged for several minutes, then rinsed with water. After such a massage, it is advisable to apply cream to the skin.
No less popular is the electronic pumice stone for feet. This is a special machine that is used before a pedicure. With it, you can quickly and painlessly remove calluses at home. It often has several special attachments with different coatings in order to remove dead skin faster and easier. The roller can rotate up to 30 revolutions per second, although in some models the speed may be different. The videos change quickly enough, with just one click. The handle has an ergonomic shape, so it is comfortable to hold. With the help of such electronic pumice, you can soften the skin not only on your feet, but also on your elbows or hands. The machine is often equipped with additional devices: a cleaning brush, batteries, instructions for use.
There is a lot around us that is so ordinary and simple that we do not think about the history and origin of these things.
For example, let's talk about pumice.
When we say “pumice,” we most often mean pieces of lightly hewn blast furnace slag or neatly turned blocks of foam concrete.
Artificial materials have nothing to do with real pumice - although minimal similarity in characteristics and origin is observed.
Natural pumice is a light glassy mass erupted by a volcano, foamed with bubbles of dissolved gases. Without these gases, the frozen mass would quite possibly have turned into obsidian - a brilliant mineral of austere beauty. volcanic glass.
The process of pumice formation is similar to the process of “eruption” of carbonated water from a bottle. A sharp decrease in pressure in both cases leads to the release of gases from the liquid. Only when it comes to water do we get harmless foam. And if we are talking about volcanic lava, we get pumice - a useful material, but unsafe in natural conditions.
Pumice (came in the 18th century from the Dutch pums, from the Latin pumex, cognate with the Latin spuma, “foam”[; also pumicite) - porous volcanic glass formed as a result of the release of gases during the rapid solidification of acidic and medium lavas.
The texture of pumice from different deposits is different. For practical use, the pore size and nature of the glassy substance composing pumice are important. There are fine- and coarse-porous stones. Moreover, its rock may have a fibrous, or bubbly, cellular, or foamy structure.
Most often, pumice is extracted from deposits by excavators as a multi-fraction bulk material. Artisanal mines are quarries with mineral extraction techniques developed many millennia ago.
The color of natural pumice can range from white (silicon dioxide SiO2, the rock-forming substance, is colorless) to black. Black pumice is a product of abundant saturation of the substance with different valent iron oxides (FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4). Blue and yellow pumice are formed as a result of mixing silicon melt with oxides of non-ferrous metals, mainly nickel, titanium, and calcium.
The color of pumice, depending on the content and valency of iron, varies from white and bluish to yellow, brown and black. Porosity reaches 80%.
Hardness on the Mohs scale is about 6, density 2-2.5 g/cm?, volumetric mass 0.3-0.9 g/cm? (pumice floats in water and does not sink until it gets wet).
The high porosity of pumice provides good thermal insulation properties, and the closedness of most pores provides good frost resistance. Fire resistant. Chemically inert.
It is used as a filler in lightweight concrete (pumice concrete), as a hydraulic additive to cement and lime. It is used as an abrasive material for grinding metal and wood, polishing stone products. It is also used for the hygienic removal of rough skin on the feet.
Often contains various crystalline inclusions - phenocrysts of plagioclase, quartz, monoclinic and orthorhombic pyroxenes, and mica.
There are varieties with fibrous, cellular, bubbly and foamy textures; The structure of pumice can be large- or fine-porous (Fig.).
The color of pumice, depending on the content of FeO and Fe2O3, varies from white and bluish to yellow, brown and black.
Density 2000-2300 kg/m3. Hardness 5-6.5. Chemically inert. Fire resistant.
Temperature range of softening is 1300-1400°C. Chemical composition according to R. Daly (%): SiO2 68-75; TiO2 tenths; Al2O3 11-14; Fe2O3 0.8-2; FeO 0.5-1.5; CaO 0.2-2.5; Na2O 2.5-5; K2O 1.5-5; N2O+ 1.5-3.
Pumice occurs as sheets and flows, and also composes the upper zones of extrusive domes and lava flows; formed as a result of swelling of viscous acidic lava under surface conditions.
Pumice deposits are most common in areas of late Tertiary - modern volcanism. Here they are known in Transcaucasia, Kamchatka (the largest are Zhupanovskoye and Ilyinskoye) and on the Kuril Islands.
In the chemical industry, filters are made from pumice and used as an inert base for various catalysts.
The largest area of industrial consumption of pumice is the construction industry (large aggregate fraction 5-20 mm), it is also used as an abrasive in the wood and metalworking industries (for grinding and polishing metal, marble, bone, lithographic stone, etc.), in the chemical industry (for the manufacture of filters and drying preparations, as well as as an inert base for various catalysts); in the oil industry (for oil purification).
The addition of pumice to nitroglycerin explosives increases their sensitivity to detonation. In addition, pumice is used in glass making and in the production of glazes.
Natural pumice is mined where volcanic activity is active or has recently (by geological standards) died out. Old pumice deposits undergo dramatic changes over time: pumice, due to the peculiarities of its structure, is not a very strong material and does not tolerate high pressures coupled with prolonged heating.
The Kamchatka deposits of Russian pumice provide first-class material, but the high cost of transportation reduces the profitability of exploitation of the developments. Pumice mined in the Caucasus is also in demand.
Considerable volumes of natural abrasive are mined outside the Russian Federation. The Armenian pumice, once erupted by Ararat, is famous. High demand is ensured by Italian pumice, from which entire islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea are made. Pumice is supplied to the world market by both Germany, which produces minerals in the Rhine Valley, and New Zealand.
Before the invention of soap, pumice stone served as the main means of removing dirt from the human body. Pumice abrasives are still used in cosmetics today, being part of the group of elite natural products.
In industry, pumice is in demand in construction as a bulk filler of the middle fraction. Buildings insulated with natural pumice are warm and durable. Natural material does not cake, does not rot, and is not infested with rodents.
Wall blocks are made from pressed pumice. However, a structure built from pumice requires mandatory external cladding: the material is hygroscopic. And although pumice tolerates wet freezing satisfactorily, uncoated stone is quickly colonized by moisture-loving microflora and subsequently destroyed.
In mechanical engineering, crushed pumice is used for grinding work. In chemical production, pumice is a substrate for the preparation of filter, catalytic, and ion exchange mixtures.
Interestingly, explosives manufacturers cannot do without pumice. Adding pumice powder to dynamite makes it easier to initiate the explosive device. Grinded sand, identical in composition to pumice, does not give such an effect.
The glass industry uses natural pumice to melt technical glass, mainly glazes for pipes and tanks.
Oddly enough, but an inconspicuous porous stone can serve as an interior decoration. More precisely, the basis for floral decoration. To create a beautiful corner of nature, it is enough to hollow out a hole in the stone for planting Tradescantia, soak the monolith with a nutrient solution, and cover it with moss.
Medical cosmetology strongly recommends using natural pumice to cleanse the skin of the stratum corneum. However, doctors warn against using homemade soap (brewed with a purchased Chinese base with the addition of dyes) mixed with pumice chips: single stone inclusions in the soap can damage the skin.
Not too numerous, but decorative products made from pumice are still present on the market. Beads, brooches, as well as pyramids and simply wild pumice stone are usually tinted, varnished and... successfully compete with products made from much more expensive materials.
Pumice can be dangerous
Volcanic eruptions often produce truly enormous quantities of pumice. It’s not so bad when red-hot foamy lava slowly pours out of the crater. It is much worse if the stream of gases escaping from the depths carries magma into the sky. Transforming into pumice under low pressure conditions, the lightweight, porous stone falls like snow, covering the earth's surface.
The worst thing is when the pumice “sediments” concentrate on the water. A pond covered with pumice turns out to be isolated from light and atmospheric oxygen. All life in it dies.
Rivers carrying multi-meter “rafts” of pumice become dangerous for dams and other hydraulic structures. Boats and boats cannot sail in a “sea” of abrasive crumbs: a pumice crust can rub through the aluminum sides of freshwater vessels in a matter of miles.
The saddest thing is that the forces of nature cope with such disasters very slowly. Pumice, floating in the surface layer of water, is destroyed by friction and collisions, and ultimately settles to the bottom. But this process is long.
How to use pumice correctly?
Let's talk about this separately and in more detail. It may be a trifle, but it may be very useful to someone.
What exfoliating product is simple, affordable, and popular at the same time? That's right, it's a cosmetic pumice stone.
With its help, you can remove dead skin particles, calluses and so-called corns. In a word, a very necessary thing in everyday life. And if you think that pumice came into use only with the development of the cosmetics industry, then you are mistaken. Our great-grandmothers used it, and not without success.
Back when there was no soap yet...
After volcanic eruptions, lava, as it cooled, turned into porous rock, the structure of which resembles the sandpaper we know. This frozen rock is pumice. It is not known exactly when, but our ancestors noticed that it is an excellent skin cleanser. Then there was no soap yet, and they used pumice for these purposes.
As you can see, the history of using pumice not only as a cosmetic, but also a hygienic product dates back to ancient times. The ancestors used this natural substance, which has a characteristic rough surface, so masterfully that there were no scratches left on the body, not to mention more serious damage or bleeding.
There is evidence that ancient representatives of the fair sex used pumice as a depilator - after all, there were no other possibilities for this then.
Interestingly, this seemingly outdated method is still in demand today: many women prefer to remove leg hair with pumice.
How it's done? The method is as old as time. First you need to steam your feet, soap them thoroughly and then move them in a circular motion, which should be light, without much pressure. After this, the foam, of course, is washed off and the removed hairs go along with it.
It is not known for sure whether our great-grandmothers lubricated their feet with something after completing the procedure. But modern followers of this method of depilation always apply a rich cream. And they do the right thing, because by doing so they prevent skin irritation.
Secrets of home use
At the same time, there are many people who consider pumice to be an almost obsolete relic and therefore not worthy of attention.
Others are not so categorical, but believe that it is too aggressive and can cause a lot of unpleasant moments for the skin. Both are wrong. Although, let’s face it, in the wrong hands it can really do harm...
In order for cosmetic pumice not to become your enemy, but to gain a reputation as a reliable friend and assistant, you need to follow simple rules for using it at home.
So, this product is never used dry. You must first wash your feet, be sure to steam them, and then lightly dry them with a towel. For the bath, you can take plain water, or you can use additives that will not be superfluous at all - sea salt or starch. Some people prefer to add decoctions of medicinal plants. The same chamomile, for example. This decoction has an excellent effect on the condition of the skin on the legs, relieving them of the fatigue accumulated during the day.
It is strictly not recommended to use pumice stone on soft and delicate areas of the skin. By nature itself it is created to act on hard and rough areas. It removes dead epidermal cells very easily, with a few simple movements. However, try not to overdo it: as soon as pumice treatment causes a burning sensation, the procedure should be completed immediately. This means that the dead cells are “over” and have reached the sensitive layers of the skin.
There are many cases known (especially in rural areas, where people work in the fields for a long time and walk barefoot) when pumice is used daily. This is more of a habit than a necessity, since this remedy is not recommended for such frequent use. The only exception is the first two weeks, when there is a large “work front” in front of the pumice stone in the form of accumulated unnecessary skin. Then, when it is removed, the pumice stone should be used no more than two (sometimes three) times a week. For prevention.
The removal of calluses needs to be discussed separately. You should not “deal” with them in one fell swoop, but gradually, removing one small layer every day. Strong pressure is not recommended, as it can catch healthy skin and cause an ulcer. Or cause infection and inflammation.
It is important not only to use pumice skillfully and carefully, but also to correctly complete the skin cleansing procedure. To do this, you need to rinse your feet with cool water and be sure to apply skin-nourishing cream to them. By following these simple tips and recommendations, you will avoid additional drying of the skin and it will not become rough.
How to choose pumice stone for feet?
Pumice for cosmetic purposes can be natural or artificial. Manufacturers of the latter usually report what synthetic materials it is made from, so if you choose this option, then at least you will do it consciously. But I would still like to warn you against artificial analogues, since in their assortment there are many low-quality fakes. Such pumice stones, if I may say so, are less solid in structure; they do not contain all the properties of a natural product. They also break very quickly, not to mention the fact that they can harm the skin when used. Especially if you are allergic to the artificial material from which they are made.
Hence the conclusion: if possible, choose only natural pumice!
And here’s something else I would like to draw the attention of our readers to. The ease of use of this product and the effect of it depend not only on the material and your skills, but also on its shape. Therefore, when choosing pumice, “try it on” with your palm. If it's comfortable to hold in your hand, then buy it! And, of course, take a closer look at the pores: the smaller they are on the pumice stone, the more gentle it will be on your skin, giving it health and beauty.
Pumice is a porous, lightweight material of natural origin. Its scope is quite wide. This breed is used in cosmetology, construction, and the chemical industry.
What is pumice? This formation is volcanic glass with a porous structure and has a different color depending on the iron content in it. This porous material can be light yellow, black, or even blue.
This substance is formed in nature at the moment of solidification of volcanic lava. This is a very light material, floating on the surface of the water, it will never sink. It has a very porous structure, due to which the thermal insulation properties of this material are quite high.
Where is pumice mined?
In nature, this mineral substance is mined in various deposits, near active volcanoes, or where volcanoes have recently stopped erupting. In Russia, such deposits are located in Kamchatka and the Caucasus.
This breed Other countries also import:
- Armenia;
- Germany;
- New Zealand;
- Italy.
How to use pumice
This mineral has been familiar to humanity since ancient times. Previously, they found only one use for it - this porous pebble helped to scrub away dead skin areas. In previous centuries, there were no foam body sponges and washcloths, and people used pieces of pumice for these purposes. Little has changed in this area of abrasive use. In modern cosmetology, this natural material is still in demand. People even learned how to make artificial pumice from blast furnace slag and porous foam concrete. But, having an external resemblance to pumice, substitute materials are significantly inferior to it in properties.
In cosmetology
Natural pumice is lighter and environmentally friendly. People suffering from allergies can use it without fear. This material does not deteriorate during use, except that it wears off a little over time. Pumice from slag will not last you long - it crumbles. If you purchased this rock to care for rough skin on your feet, it is important to remember that it , absorbs moisture, dries for a long time. It is necessary to thoroughly dry the pumice and disinfect it from time to time so that pathogenic microorganisms do not multiply in it.
To dry, it is better to take the porous pebble from the bathroom to a dry, warm place, for example, place it on a windowsill in direct sunlight. The sun will dry the pumice perfectly and at the same time kill all kinds of bacteria on it with ultraviolet light. This material will cope perfectly with calluses and corns, not inferior to all kinds of graters and files.
It is important to use this mineral correctly:
- Feet must first be steamed in warm water with the addition of liquid soap and bath salts. After the stratum corneum on the feet has softened, you can begin the cleaning procedure.
- You don’t need to get too carried away, if you rub your heels with pumice often and diligently, the keratinization of the skin will increase. This is the body's protective reaction.
- You should not use this foam stone on damaged skin if your heels have cracks.
- After cleaning the skin from the stratum corneum, it must be dried with a towel and lubricated with a nourishing cream.
In industry
This valuable natural mineral has found its greatest use in various industrial fields:
In medicine
In this area the mineral is used for polishing in the manufacture of acrylic dentures. Pumice is also included in polishing agents for tooth enamel and is used in the production of toothpaste.
In cleaning systems
When treating wastewater from various enterprises, this breed plays an important role in aerobic and anaerobic systems. It affects the rate of sludge settling, which allows for an uninterrupted cleaning cycle.
Considering all the areas of its application, pumice can undoubtedly be classified as an important and valuable mineral resource. What is important is that due to its origin, this material does not require production costs, but only for production and transportation, so it will always be in demand, and the volume of use will only increase.
Pumice stone
January 12th, 2017
There is a lot around us that is so ordinary and simple that we do not think about the history and origin of these things.
For example, let's talk about pumice.
When we say “pumice,” we most often mean pieces of lightly hewn blast furnace slag or neatly turned blocks of foam concrete.
Artificial materials have nothing to do with real pumice - although minimal similarities in characteristics and origin are observed.
Natural pumice is a light glassy mass erupted by a volcano, foamed with bubbles of dissolved gases. Without these gases, the frozen mass would quite possibly have turned into obsidian - a brilliant mineral of austere beauty. volcanic glass.
The process of pumice formation is similar to the process of “eruption” of carbonated water from a bottle. A sharp decrease in pressure in both cases leads to the release of gases from the liquid. Only when it comes to water do we get harmless foam. And if we are talking about volcanic lava, we get pumice - a useful material, but unsafe in natural conditions.
Pumice (came in the 18th century from Dutch pums, from Latin pumex, cognate with Latin spuma, “foam” [; also pumicite) is a porous volcanic glass formed as a result of the release of gases during the rapid solidification of acidic and medium-sized lavas.
The texture of pumice from different deposits is different. For practical use, the pore size and nature of the glassy substance composing pumice are important. There are fine- and coarse-porous stones. Moreover, its rock may have a fibrous, or bubbly, cellular, or foamy structure.
Most often, pumice is extracted from deposits by excavators as a multi-fraction bulk material. Artisanal mines are quarries with mineral extraction techniques developed many millennia ago.
The color of natural pumice can range from white (silicon dioxide SiO2, the rock-forming substance, is colorless) to black. Black pumice is a product of abundant saturation of the substance with different valent iron oxides (FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4). Blue and yellow pumice are formed as a result of mixing silicon melt with oxides of non-ferrous metals, mainly nickel, titanium, and calcium.
The color of pumice, depending on the content and valency of iron, varies from white and bluish to yellow, brown and black. Porosity reaches 80%.
Hardness on the Mohs scale is about 6, density 2-2.5 g/cm³, volumetric mass 0.3-0.9 g/cm³ (pumice floats in water and does not sink until it gets wet).
The high porosity of pumice provides good thermal insulation properties, and the closedness of most pores provides good frost resistance. Fire resistant. Chemically inert.
It is used as a filler in lightweight concrete (pumice concrete), as a hydraulic additive to cement and lime. It is used as an abrasive material for grinding metal and wood, polishing stone products. It is also used for the hygienic removal of rough skin on the feet.
Often contains various crystalline inclusions - phenocrysts of plagioclase, quartz, monoclinic and orthorhombic pyroxenes, and mica.
There are varieties with fibrous, cellular, bubbly and foamy textures; The structure of pumice can be large- or fine-porous (Fig.).
The color of pumice, depending on the content of FeO and Fe2O3, varies from white and bluish to yellow, brown and black.
Density 2000-2300 kg/m3. Hardness 5-6.5. Chemically inert. Fire resistant.
Temperature range of softening is 1300-1400°C. Chemical composition according to R. Daly (%): SiO2 68-75; TiO2 tenths; Al2O3 11-14; Fe2O3 0.8-2; FeO 0.5-1.5; CaO 0.2-2.5; Na2O 2.5-5; K2O 1.5-5; N2O+ 1.5-3.
Pumice occurs as sheets and flows, and also composes the upper zones of extrusive domes and lava flows; formed as a result of swelling of viscous acidic lava under surface conditions.
Pumice deposits are most common in areas of late Tertiary - modern volcanism. Here they are known in Transcaucasia, Kamchatka (the largest are Zhupanovskoye and Ilyinskoye) and on the Kuril Islands.
In the chemical industry, filters are made from pumice and used as an inert base for various catalysts.
The largest area of industrial consumption of pumice is the construction industry (large aggregate fraction 5-20 mm), it is also used as an abrasive in the wood and metalworking industries (for grinding and polishing metal, marble, bone, lithographic stone, etc.), in the chemical industry (for the manufacture of filters and drying preparations, as well as as an inert base for various catalysts); in the oil industry (for oil purification).
The addition of pumice to nitroglycerin explosives increases their sensitivity to detonation. In addition, pumice is used in glass making and in the production of glazes.
Natural pumice is mined where volcanic activity is active or has recently (by geological standards) died out. Old pumice deposits undergo dramatic changes over time: pumice, due to the peculiarities of its structure, is not a very strong material and does not tolerate high pressures coupled with prolonged heating.
The Kamchatka deposits of Russian pumice provide first-class material, but the high cost of transportation reduces the profitability of exploitation of the developments. Pumice mined in the Caucasus is also in demand.
Considerable volumes of natural abrasive are mined outside the Russian Federation. The Armenian pumice, once erupted by Ararat, is famous. High demand is ensured by Italian pumice, from which entire islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea are made. Pumice is supplied to the world market by both Germany, which produces minerals in the Rhine Valley, and New Zealand.
Before the invention of soap, pumice stone served as the main means of removing dirt from the human body. Pumice abrasives are still used in cosmetics today, being part of the group of elite natural products.
In industry, pumice is in demand in construction as a bulk filler of the middle fraction. Buildings insulated with natural pumice are warm and durable. Natural material does not cake, does not rot, and is not infested with rodents.
Wall blocks are made from pressed pumice. However, a structure built from pumice requires mandatory external cladding: the material is hygroscopic. And although pumice tolerates wet freezing satisfactorily, uncoated stone is quickly colonized by moisture-loving microflora and subsequently destroyed.
In mechanical engineering, crushed pumice is used for grinding work. In chemical production, pumice is a substrate for the preparation of filter, catalytic, and ion exchange mixtures.
Interestingly, explosives manufacturers cannot do without pumice. Adding pumice powder to dynamite makes it easier to initiate the explosive device. Grinded sand, identical in composition to pumice, does not give such an effect.
The glass industry uses natural pumice to melt technical glass, mainly glazes for pipes and tanks.
Oddly enough, but an inconspicuous porous stone can serve as an interior decoration. More precisely, the basis for floral decoration. To create a beautiful corner of nature, it is enough to hollow out a hole in the stone for planting Tradescantia, soak the monolith with a nutrient solution, and cover it with moss.
Medical cosmetology strongly recommends using natural pumice to cleanse the skin of the stratum corneum. However, doctors warn against using homemade soap (brewed with a purchased Chinese base with the addition of dyes) mixed with pumice chips: single stone inclusions in the soap can damage the skin.
Not too numerous, but decorative products made from pumice are still present on the market. Beads, brooches, as well as pyramids and simply wild pumice stone are usually tinted, varnished and... successfully compete with products made from much more expensive materials.
Pumice can be dangerous
Volcanic eruptions often produce truly enormous quantities of pumice. It’s not so bad when red-hot foamy lava slowly pours out of the crater. It is much worse if the stream of gases escaping from the depths carries magma into the sky. Transforming into pumice under low pressure conditions, the lightweight, porous stone falls like snow, covering the earth's surface.
The worst thing is when the pumice “sediments” concentrate on the water. A pond covered with pumice turns out to be isolated from light and atmospheric oxygen. All life in it dies.
Rivers carrying multi-meter “rafts” of pumice become dangerous for dams and other hydraulic structures. Boats and boats cannot sail in a “sea” of abrasive crumbs: a pumice crust can rub through the aluminum sides of freshwater vessels in a matter of miles.
The saddest thing is that the forces of nature cope with such disasters very slowly. Pumice, floating in the surface layer of water, is destroyed by friction and collisions, and ultimately settles to the bottom. But this process is long.
How to use pumice correctly?
Let's talk about this separately and in more detail. It may be a trifle, but it may be very useful to someone.
What exfoliating product is simple, affordable, and popular at the same time? That's right, it's a cosmetic pumice stone.
With its help, you can remove dead skin particles, calluses and so-called corns. In a word, a very necessary thing in everyday life. And if you think that pumice came into use only with the development of the cosmetics industry, then you are mistaken. Our great-grandmothers used it, and not without success.
Back when there was no soap yet...
After volcanic eruptions, lava, as it cooled, turned into porous rock, the structure of which resembles the sandpaper we know. This frozen rock is pumice. It is not known exactly when, but our ancestors noticed that it is an excellent skin cleanser. Then there was no soap yet, and they used pumice for these purposes.
As you can see, the history of using pumice not only as a cosmetic, but also a hygienic product dates back to ancient times. The ancestors used this natural substance, which has a characteristic rough surface, so masterfully that there were no scratches left on the body, not to mention more serious damage or bleeding.
There is evidence that ancient representatives of the fair sex used pumice as a depilator - after all, there were no other possibilities for this then.
Interestingly, this seemingly outdated method is still in demand today: many women prefer to remove leg hair with pumice.
How it's done? The method is as old as time. First you need to steam your feet, soap them thoroughly and then move them in a circular motion, which should be light, without much pressure. After this, the foam, of course, is washed off and the removed hairs go along with it.
It is not known for sure whether our great-grandmothers lubricated their feet with something after completing the procedure. But modern followers of this method of depilation always apply a rich cream. And they do the right thing, because by doing so they prevent skin irritation.
Secrets of home use
At the same time, there are many people who consider pumice to be an almost obsolete relic and therefore not worthy of attention.
Others are not so categorical, but believe that it is too aggressive and can cause a lot of unpleasant moments for the skin. Both are wrong. Although, let’s face it, in the wrong hands it can really do harm...
In order for cosmetic pumice not to become your enemy, but to gain a reputation as a reliable friend and assistant, you need to follow simple rules for using it at home.
So, this product is never used dry. You must first wash your feet, be sure to steam them, and then lightly dry them with a towel. For the bath, you can take plain water, or you can use additives that will not be superfluous at all - sea salt or starch. Some people prefer to add decoctions of medicinal plants. The same chamomile, for example. This decoction has an excellent effect on the condition of the skin on the legs, relieving them of the fatigue accumulated during the day.
It is strictly not recommended to use pumice stone on soft and delicate areas of the skin. By nature itself it is created to act on hard and rough areas. It removes dead epidermal cells very easily, with a few simple movements. However, try not to overdo it: as soon as pumice treatment causes a burning sensation, the procedure should be completed immediately. This means that the dead cells are “over” and have reached the sensitive layers of the skin.
There are many cases known (especially in rural areas, where people work in the fields for a long time and walk barefoot) when pumice is used daily. This is more of a habit than a necessity, since this remedy is not recommended for such frequent use. The only exception is the first two weeks, when there is a large “work front” in front of the pumice stone in the form of accumulated unnecessary skin. Then, when it is removed, the pumice stone should be used no more than two (sometimes three) times a week. For prevention.
The removal of calluses needs to be discussed separately. You should not “deal” with them in one fell swoop, but gradually, removing one small layer every day. Strong pressure is not recommended, as it can catch healthy skin and cause an ulcer. Or cause infection and inflammation.
It is important not only to use pumice skillfully and carefully, but also to correctly complete the skin cleansing procedure. To do this, you need to rinse your feet with cool water and be sure to apply skin-nourishing cream to them. By following these simple tips and recommendations, you will avoid additional drying of the skin and it will not become rough.
How to choose pumice stone for feet?
Pumice for cosmetic purposes can be natural or artificial. Manufacturers of the latter usually report what synthetic materials it is made from, so if you choose this option, then at least you will do it consciously. But I would still like to warn you against artificial analogues, since in their assortment there are many low-quality fakes. Such pumice stones, if I may say so, are less solid in structure; they do not contain all the properties of a natural product. They also break very quickly, not to mention the fact that they can harm the skin when used. Especially if you are allergic to the artificial material from which they are made.
Hence the conclusion: if possible, choose only natural pumice!
And here’s something else I would like to draw the attention of our readers to. The ease of use of this product and the effect of it depend not only on the material and your skills, but also on its shape. Therefore, when choosing pumice, “try it on” with your palm. If it's comfortable to hold in your hand, then buy it! And, of course, take a closer look at the pores: the smaller they are on the pumice stone, the more gentle it will be on your skin, giving it health and beauty.
