Washing your hands is very important during these times. But you may have noticed that frequent hand washing can cause your hands to be dry– flake, crack, itch, or even bleed without proper precautions.
There are two different ways to clean your hands: ????????
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
- Rub your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub (at least 60% alcohol) for at least 15 seconds. Hand rubs are a good choice when soap and water are not available, but they don’t kill all types of germs.
To reduce your risk of dry cracked skin from hand washing, follow these dermatologist tips:
1. Use Lukewarm Water ????
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds in lukewarm water. Use soap, and wash every part of your hands, including between your fingers and around your nails.
2. Moisturize Immediately ????
Dry your hands with a clean towel but leave some water on them. You can also let your hands air dry. While your hands are slightly damp, apply your hand cream or ointment.
3. Use Specific Moisturizer ????
Always apply a pea-sized amount of hand cream onto your skin, making sure you work some of it into your fingertips and nails. It is recommended that you use cream or ointment that contains mineral oil or petrolatum (Usually from a tube), because these products are more effective than products you pump out of a bottle.
4. Fragrance-Free ????
Choose fragrance and dye-free moisturizers. These are less irritating for your skin.
5. Hand Sanitizer ✋
When you use hand sanitizer, apply your hand cream immediately after the hand sanitizer dries. Because the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to kill germs, hand sanitizer can be very drying.
6. Wash Your Hands! ????
Always continue to wash your hands, even if they feel dry. Because even if your hands are dry, it’s always safer to wash them to remove harmful bacteria and viruses.
Here are some quick tips to help prevent dry skin:
- Wear gloves and warm clothing when it is cold out.
- Wash your hands with warm (not hot) water.
- Wear rubber gloves when handling cleaning products.
Have problems with your skin, even after our tips? At SkinFX, we offer medical-grade skin care products that target your specific concerns, just like dry skin. So don’t be afraid to contact us with any concerns you have. ????????
