Hands are one of the most important parts of your body that deserve proper care. They are exposed to all sorts of environmental factors like weather changes, chemical-based soaps and excessive washing.
Try to use lukewarm water for washing your hands, as hot water can dry out the skin on your hands. After washing your hands, apply a good moisturizer like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hand Gel Cream that contains Aqua, Glycerin to lock in hydration.
Wash your hands regularly
Washing your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. It’s recommended that you sanitize your hands after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.
Hand washing also lowers the survival rate of lingering bacteria. This helps stop food-borne illnesses, prevents flu outbreaks, and reduces healthcare associated infections.
Wet your hands with clean, running water and lather them with soap. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them with a clean cloth or towel. Repeat this routine several times throughout the day.
Moisturize your hands
The skin on the hands is particularly thin, which can result in dryness and irritation. Moisturising your hands regularly helps to prevent these problems and keep them soft and hydrated.
It’s also a great way to help protect your hands from the cold weather. Moisturizing your hands can also help to keep them looking younger and delay the signs of aging.
Experts recommend washing your hands for 20 seconds after using the restroom, before eating or after coughing or sneezing. It’s also important to pat your hands dry rather than rubbing them vigorously.
Indulge in a manicure
A manicure is a great way to pamper your hands and enjoy some “me time”. It can also be a fun way to express your personality and experiment with nail art trends.
A manicure starts with a hand soak to refresh your skin, cuticles and nails. Next, your therapist will trim and shape your nails to fit your preferred style. They will also apply a hand and cuticle moisturizer. And finally, they’ll polish your nails to give them a nice finish. Then you’re ready to show off your new look!
Trim your cuticles
Cuticles can get overgrown, so it’s important to gently push them back every few days. A good pair of metal cuticle nippers can make this easy, but you can also use a wooden orange stick. When you’re trimming, be careful not to cut the healthy skin around the nail bed as this can lead to infections.
To keep your cuticles moisturized and prevent frays, add a cuticle oil to your routine. Some have vitamins and fatty acids that help your nails and cuticles stay strong. Watch the video below for a step-by-step process on how to care for your cuticles.
Don’t forget your nails for care hands
Your nails are vulnerable to the same types of damage as the skin on your hands. That’s why it’s important to treat them with the same care. Make sure to scrub them thoroughly after washing your hands and applying a hand sanitizer, especially if you wear nail polish. This removes any extra grime and helps prevent your nails from drying out.
You can also keep a nail file on hand to quickly smooth any rough edges. This will help reduce the risk of snags and abrasions.
Protect your hands from the sun
The skin on your hands is very thin and needs to be protected from harmful UV rays. A daily application of SPF is the best way to help keep your hands soft and young-looking.
Make sure to reapply moisturizer frequently, especially after washing your hands and after it rains. This will also help prevent the appearance of discolored spots on your hands.
Wear gloves when you work
Gloves help keep hands soft and protect them from minor cuts, abrasions, warts, and bacteria. Gloves should be inspected frequently and changed when they become contaminated or damaged.
Proper glove use significantly reduces spread of infections in health care institutions. Perform hand hygiene before putting on gloves, choose appropriate gloves for the task at hand, and carefully don and remove them to avoid tearing. Be sure to wash hands after removing gloves to prevent further contamination. Also, never re-wear used gloves. Change them for each patient.
Don’t cut your cuticles
Cuticles are a protective layer of dead skin tissue that prevent unsafe pathogens from entering the body. They also help keep nails healthy and strong. Therefore, they should never be cut. Instead, use a metal cuticle pusher or a wooden orange stick to gently push back the skin around your nail bed.
Experts recommend soaking your hands in water before pushing back the cuticles to soften them. They also advise applying cuticle oil daily to avoid frayed cuticles and hangnails.
Don’t use harsh soaps
Using harsh soaps can cause damage to the skin on your hands over time. Harsh soaps can alter SC proteins, lipids and pH, disrupt resident microflora and progressively destroy barrier integrity [6,7].
Rather than cleansing with harsh chemicals that can damage your skin, try switching to natural soap. Handmade soaps not only cleanse just as well as regular soap, but they also smell better, have a richer lather and are more nourishing for the skin. They are also kinder to the environment and support local communities.
Don’t forget your nails
Your nails can be prone to infection, so you need to pay extra attention to them. Keep your hands and nails moisturised and apply a good nail cream to them regularly.
If you wear nail polish, use acetone-free remover to avoid dryness and irritation. It is also a good idea to keep a nail file handy to quickly smooth any rough edges of your nails. Also, always be sure to dry your fingers and nails thoroughly after washing them or using a hand sanitizer. This will minimize the risk of bacterial infections.
Conclusion:
Your hands are often your most used and exposed body parts, so it’s important to prioritize their care. Following these top 10 effective tips for hand care can help you maintain soft, healthy, and youthful-looking hands. By moisturizing, protecting, and being mindful of your hand hygiene, you can keep your hands in excellent condition for years to come.