Washing your hands frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer is important in helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and keeping you healthy. Neither is great for making your hands happy since they also remove your skin’s moisture. Many people are complaining their hands are drying out and cracking.
Keep washing! But take care of your hands. Here are five tips to help you do that:
Use soap and sanitizer with moisturizers
I know it’s hard to find products of your choice right now, but if at all possible, buy and use products that have moisturizers already in them. Gentle soaps, especially fragrance-free ones, would be better choices right now, and hand sanitizers that contain moisturizing aloe can help keep your hands from drying out. Keep hand soap in the kitchen and use it instead of dish soap, which is designed to cut grease and will further dry out your hands.
Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize!
You’re practicing correct hand washing and using hand sanitizer. Now what? Restore some of the moisture you just lost. Apply a good hand cream while your hands are still damp so it’s more easily absorbed. If your hands are really dry, consider using a hand ointment that has petroleum jelly to create an effective moisture barrier. Apply the ointment over the cream moisturizer.
Wear protection
We’re all cleaning more, and not just our hands. Using anti-bacterial and harsh cleansers will dry out your hands as well. Protect them! Wear gloves when doing household tasks—washing dishes; cleaning counter tops; wiping down handles, light switches, and more. And, when you take off your gloves, it’s a good idea to apply more moisturizer. Going out with your dog or for exercise? It’s also a good idea to wear gloves, especially if it’s a cold or rainy day.
Apply a hand mask
Going to the nail salon is out! So, unless you have paraffin wax kit at home, which would be great to have and use, applying a hand mask is a great way to add moisture to your hands. You can buy a hand mask online. In general, place the mask on the backs of your hands and leave it on for 10-20 minutes. The result will be softer, smoother, better moisturized hands.
Sleep on it
Apply moisturizer, hand cream or ointment to your hands at night. If you have cotton gloves, wear them! They will help your skin absorb the product and prevent it from rubbing off on your sheets.
Here to help you make it through the tough and good times
Although are office remains closed, we are here for virtual visits. We will reopen as soon as possible for all your cosmetic and medical dermatologic needs.