4 Tips to Keep Your Hands From All That Washing & Sanitizing

With the COVID-19 outbreak, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are inspiring everyone to wash their hands regularly. Whether it be the swiftly escalating corona pandemic or just any given winter, hand washing is one of the most effective ways to avert the spread of infections. Unfortunately, soaps and even wringing of hands underwater can break down the barrier we are trying to protect. As we thoroughly wash hands more regularly than usual, skin experts share tips that can help keep your skin healthy.

Wash Hands with Warm Water

Washing your hands at regular intervals and for about 20 seconds each time you do it is mandatory; however, this may result in dry hands. In order to prevent moisture loss and to keep them feeling relatively better, it is recommended that you use warm or lukewarm water to wash your hands instead. You need to make sure that the water isn’t piping hot as this will only make matters worse. Very hot water will ultimately dry things out and won’t improve the effectiveness. Lucy Xu who is a skin specialist and the founder of the London Premier Laser and Skin Clinics, agreed that nothing other than hot water can strip your hands of any natural oils that needs it to stay waterproof.

Link: https://twitter.com/MIESPRbureau/status/1057293823565590528

Switch to A Nourishing Hand Cream for Silky Soft Hands

Just as washing your hands is essential when it comes to preventing germ build-up, moisturizing them too, plays an important role here. Our naked eyes may not be able to see it, but germs begin to build up right after drying our soaped hands. Applying a hand cream is actually hygienic. It contains antibacterial chemicals that prevents airborne germs from attacking your skin. While the ingredients present in most hand creams treat dryness, they also flatten the microscopic cracks that make the skin rough and delicate. Also, FYI, ideal hand creams should not include irritants, such as retinol or other anti-aging serums, allergens or fragrances.

Link: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/631700285214580667/

Gloves and Vaseline Can Help with Heal Dry Hands

In addition to making hand creams a part of your routine each time you wash your hands, a humidifier can help keep the air and your skin moist. Doctors and skin specialists state that applying thick hand creams or Vaseline (petroleum jelly) after washing your hands and especially before going to bed is a very good practice and should be made part of our daily skin care routine. A good, night skin care regimen is the best way to give your skin some rest. Put on a really thick cream and if you can, and follow this up with a pair of cotton gloves. Much like a facial sheet masks, gloves too, help in keeping your hands moisturized for up to 6 to 8 hours allowing the skin on the hands to get some much-needed TLC.

Link: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/270990102553880052/

Blot Dry

When drying your hands, blot, don’t wipe in order to avoid micro-abrasions on the skin. When it comes to blotting your hands paper towels are best, but if you use a towel ensure that each person at your home have their own towel and that towels should be replaced with clean ones every 3 days. Also, a point to remember, make sure that hands are thoroughly dried, as germs are more easily transferred on wet hands.

Link: https://twitter.com/benenden_trust/status/1094199501366218752?lang=eu

 

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