Although they may be annoying, calluses actually develop as a way for your body to protect sensitive skin. They most often occur on the hands and feet, although they can develop just about anywhere throughout the body where there is repeated friction.

While they can sometimes be painful, it would likely be even more painful if a callus didn’t develop in the area where pressure is continuously being felt. But because of their unsightly look, you probably aren’t interested in leaving them around too long, even if they are a natural remedy created by your body.

To help you with this, here is a look at three hacks that will help you to get rid of those annoying calluses.

Be Proactive Instead of Reactive

As with most things, avoiding calluses becomes much easier if you actually prevent them from forming in the first place rather than having to wait until they have formed to get rid of them. For your feet, be sure that you wear comfortable shoes that fit well.

You may also get calluses on your hands from working in the garden or if you work in a manual labor based job. To prevent this issue, your best bet is to find a solid pair of gloves and wear them whenever you are working with your hands. It is also a good idea to use moisturizer on both your hands and feet, as this can help reduce friction.

Get a Callus Remover

Once you’ve developed a callus, you probably don’t want to hear about the steps you should have taken to prevent them in the first place. You just want to know how to get rid of them.

Fortunately, there are actually callus removers that can help you do just that. There are both manual and electric callus removers, each providing their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Manual removers are cheaper and provide more control, while electric removers are much easier to use and tend to be more gentle on the skin.

Soak Your Feet in Epsom Salts

Epsom salts have long been known to provide a wide range of health-based benefits. In addition to being used for splinter removal and body aches, they can also help you get rid of those annoying calluses.

In order for this method to work, you’ll need a basin or large bucket filled with warm water. From there, all you need to do is throw a handful of Epsom salts into the water and soak your feet for anywhere from 8-10 minutes.

Once you’re finished soaking, you’ll need a file to begin rubbing off some of the top layers of the callus. You can also use a callus remover for this task. It should be noted that attempting to grind down the callus in a single sitting can cause issues, as you may end up grinding down too deep and causing significant pain.

Instead, take your time with the process and work your calluses down over the course of a few days or even weeks. This will be much more comfortable and tends to be more effective as well.