Hand Care?

[Danielle1960]

Hi girls and gurls

I've been running into a problem with keeping my hands presentable. Nails wouldn't be an issue because polish covers alot of defects. Unfortunately, though my daily work in electronics and other manly (or draby) work on lawn, garden, home improvements, car/motorcycle repair leaves my hands very ruff. I've tried a multitude of creams and lotions but nothing seems to soften the ruff appearance. :( Are there any miracle solution. I wish I could just quit and play house wife (husband) and let someone else do the hard work. But considering that isn't an option and gloves don't seem to be fixing the problem I thought I'd ask you. Any ideas?
Danielle

[DonnaT]

No real good ideas. However, the best hand cream I've ever used, and I've used plenty, is made by OPI and is a Peach extract. Makes my hands feel as soft as a peach.

[Sharon]

How patient are you being with your hands Danielle? I also used to have rough, calloused hands, but over the course of a few months, with twice daily applications of a good lotion (I like Philosophy but any good brand should do) the appearance of my hands changed considerably. They have also been called "feminine" by a few people, but I also keep the hair on them shaved and the nails longish.
Just be patient! And diligent.

[Tristen Cox]

Maybe it's more a matter of the type of gloves you are wearing, some may be more damaging over long periods of use than others. Just a thought

[MarieTS]

Danielle: Use gloves more, and consider purchasing one of those parafin wax hand care machines. They really produce smooth sexxy hands-- trust me!

[maidtina]

Can't realy help, most of the year I work with computers which ain't much of a hazard.

When I do reach for the chain saw I expect to snag a nail whether I wear gloves or not. It's par for the course, no one handling heavy tools will keep their nails intact.

I part time in pyro (fireworks displays) and when another operator noticed my clear polish I simply said that it protected my nails from the gunpowder and soot. It can take a week to clean them otherwise. He and several others have started wearing polish since as it does actually work.

As for rough hands, a daily moisturise and the occasional pumice is all I can suggest.


Recently I've been introduced to Mohs hardness scale for minerals. "Try to scratch this rock and see which breaks first, the rock or your nails", I think not. Actually it sparked another of those interesting conversations with the girls in the class.

[Wenda]

I have posted in the past about trying to save my nails. Some ladies suggested eating more gelatin, I have used a nail hardener, but the two main pieces of advice I have are: stop using your nails as tools, file your nails immediately when you feel any nicks or rough edges on them. I keep a sandpaper nail file in my desk at work, and one in my truck. When I am on the phone or waiting at a light, I make sure any sharp edges that will catch and break are filed smooth. wear gloves. Use a pumice foot scrub cream on your feet, and it will clean your hands at the same time. good luck.

[Shy Charlotte]

I actually do alot of work blacksmithing at the moment, and I'd have to agree with the girls that gloves are the way to go. Tried being macho for a while, swinging the hammer sans hand coverings, and noticed the hands were getting calloused. Then one day decided to pick up a piece of steel that turned out to be a few hundred degrees fahrenheit and managed to burn off a few of my fingerprints. Went back to wearing welding gloves and the rough hands pretty much went away.

If you've got some seriously gnarly paws, I suggest the following.
1) Wear Gloves
2) Put alot of Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly on your hands prior to putting it in the gloves (an old trick if you've ever read "Of Mice and Men"). The guys see your hands wet, they'll think you're just sweating (a manly physiological response if ever there was one). On top of that in a few days time your hands will be baby butt smooth. Not sure how this will affect any nail polish you put on though.

p.s. Great job on getting the pyro guys to start heading our direction Tina. I'll think of you whenever I smell blackpowder.