Dry, wrinkled skin on the hands can make a person look older than she really is. The best tip for hand care may be keeping the hands moisturized by using lotion. Protecting the hands from chemicals and other drying agents, such as hot water, also keeps the skin soft and healthy. Hand care also involves removing dead, dry skin and keeping the nails and finger tips healthy and clean.
The skin on a person's hands loses moisture as she becomes older. Using lotion is key to hand care. The lotion should be put on throughout the day, especially after washing the hands, as soap and water contribute to the skin's dryness. For best results, a person should use a lotion that contains SPF, as the sun also damages and ages the hands. Hand washing is essential to good health, and a person should use soap that contains lotion to keep her hands soft and healthy.
Another way to care for hands and keep them moisturized is to apply a thick lotion on them just before bed along with a pair of gloves. The gloves keep the hands warm, which helps the lotion melt into the skin. This trick also works in the wintertime if a person is going to go outside wearing a pair of gloves or mittens.
Hand care also involves protecting the hands from harsh elements or damaging agents. When washing dishes, a person should wear gloves to protect his hands from the drying effects of hot water and dish soap. He should also wear gloves when cleaning around the house, handling any harsh cleaning chemicals, such as bleach, or when out in the cold air.
Exfoliating the hands every so often also keeps the skin soft and the hands healthy. A gentle scrub, such as a sugar scrub or a scrub designed to be used on the face, should be enough for hand care. To use the scrub, a person should place a small amount on her hands and then rub them together to slough off the dead, dry skin. After the dead skin is removed, she should use lotion to keep the new skin soft.
Finger tips and nails are an essential part of hand care. Nails should be kept short and should be shaped with a file. Lotion will keep the nails and cuticles moisturized. A clear polish helps them to look healthy, locks in moisture, and protects them from environmental damage.