How to Get Healthy Hands in 5 Simple Steps?

 

Source: Fraser Health Authority 

They say “take the responsibility in your hands”, but they seldom forget to tell us how our hands need to be strong enough to be able to take that responsibility. We communicate daily and while talking or otherwise our hands are an essential medium of communication. 

They say “take the responsibility in your hands”, but they seldom forget to tell us how our hands need to be strong enough to be able to take that responsibility. We communicate daily and while talking or otherwise our hands are an essential medium of communication. 

We express from our hands as much as we express from our words. Moreover, Kelly Wesselman, MD, communications chair for the American College of Rheumatology and a rheumatologist with WellStar Rheumatology in Smyrna, Georgia said to Health.com, “You can learn a lot by looking at the hands.”

Given this, it shocks me how little attention we pay to grooming our hands. 

Here’s a quick everyday routine to have healthy and presentable hands.

NOTE: It is important to consult your doctor before devising your hand care routine and using certain products, the tips given here are rather general.

1. Wash

Maintaining the cleanliness of hands is the most basic step in the process. Wash your hands using cleaning soaps. Never use dishwasher soap to clean as they are very harsh and can excessively dry the skin. Make sure that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to remove dirt and cleanse your hands thoroughly. Wash between your fingers and the front and the back of your hands. Make sure that you wash around the wrist and under the nails.

The pandemic has given a viable alternative to washing hands in the form of washing hands. While sanitizers are a viable option, using them excessively can lead to moisture loss on the skin and further cause skin ailments. It is important to wash your hands using soap/hand wash and water whenever possible. 

Dr. Ahmed in his conversation with Vogue magazine said, “The natural pH of the skin surface is between 4.5 to 5.75, this is mildly acidic, soaps tend to have a high pH, and using them frequently can cause damage by repeatedly disrupting the skin’s natural pH level.” Dr. Ahmed thus recommended hand washing with a pH-balanced soap that contained hydrating emollients.

And, oh yes, do pat your hands dry after washing them!

2. Nails

Your nails are a part of our hands. Having a good nail care routine is an important part of the hand care routine.

Make sure that while washing your hands, you keep a note of cleaning your nails. Make sure your nails are grime-free. Use a clean nail brush or a toothbrush with soap to exfoliate any dead skin on your nails. 

In addition to this make sure that you consistently trim your nails, recommended to be done every week or every two weeks depending on the frequency of nail growth. Always make note of the fact that your nail health holds priority over nail length. Use a nail file- and work in one direction, but never over-file your nails. Despite all of this, take care of your nail tools too. 

Several people who indulge in nail-care, often end up cutting and removing their cuticles. What is often not paid heed to is that cuticles are important in protecting the base of the nail from bacteria and making it less prone to infection. Cuticles, if pushed back should be pushed when the skin is soft. 

It is also imperative to note that one should never over-indulge in getting nails done. It is never a bad idea to give your nails a break from over-accessorizing once in a while. 

3. Moisturize

Source: Femina.in

The lack of moisturization, in the long run, is problematic. An unmoisturized skin paves way for dull and dry skin and further causes wrinkles and makes the skin more vulnerable.

As per healthline.com, moisturizers are effective in restoring the barrier function of the epidermis, they provide a protective film, fill in the small crevices between scales, increase the water content of the epidermis, soothe the skin and improve the skin’s appearance and texture. 

Use a good hand cream to moisturize your hands and nails. Using a moisturizing soap as a cleanser followed by a moisturizing cream is also a good idea. When you use a sanitizer, it is even more important to use a hand cream, to compensate for the damage caused to the skin by sanitizers. While the sun is out, make it a point to apply sunscreen on your hands, as well. Reapply with moisturizer and sunscreen each time you wash your hands.  

You do not necessarily need to spend overwhelmingly on hand creams, using the OG Vaseline petroleum jelly is a good alternative, you may also make a hand and nail cream on your own.

Make sure that you spare some time every night, massaging your hands and nails with a moisturizer. In case you have very dry skin, mix the moisturizer with vaseline at night so that the moisture locks in, to get ultra-soft hands in the morning. 

3. Exfoliate

Source: Herff Christiansen

The thickest epidermal layer is on one’s skin in the body. Exfoliating hands, preferably once every 10 days works well for some people. Exfoliation ensures the replacement of old dead skin cells with new ones. Chemical scrubs should be opted for over physical ones. 

There are various scrubs available in the market, but you might also use homemade scrubs for the same. A mixture of sugar with olive/coconut oil may be used to get fresh and healthy skin.

4. Healthy diet

There is no alternative to a healthy diet, no matter what you do, an unhealthy lifestyle will always get reflected in your body. Eating food rich in protein, vitamin B and vitamin E is the key to having healthy nails and hands. 

5. Doctor

While it is important to take care of your hands yourself, one must make it a point to regularly visit a dermatologist, at least annually to make sure everything is in place. It is important to consult a doctor if you notice something odd with your hands or nails. 

Conclusion

It is important to look after ourselves in totality. Not only because it reflects a good personality while communicating with each other, but also because a healthy body is reflective of our overall well-being. 

Written by Ananya Verma