Handy tips for guys they need to take heed of
CLEAN and well-groomed hands are as much a necessity for men as they are for women.
Wash right, moisturise well and exfoliate, says an expert. Latika Arya, the managing director at LA Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in New Delhi, lists easy tips that can help you maintain your hands.
Washing: Use a moisturising soap or liquid handwash containing olive oil, aloe vera or shea butter. This will prevent stripping of natural oils from your skin.
Use lukewarm water so you don’t dry out the skin.
Moisturising: If the skin tends to get dry after washing, apply a non-sticky, fast-absorbing moisturising lotion or cream. This keeps the skin smooth and soft and prevents cracking. Look for a formula that contains emollient ingredients, such as glycerin, shea butter and natural oils. Massage the cream into your hands at bedtime as well.
If you have cracks on your hands because of extreme dryness, rather treat them with a more intensive ointment-based moisturiser than a regular hand cream.
Even regular petroleum jelly works just as well.
NAILS: Once in a week, use a nail brush while washing your hands to scrub the dirt beneath your nails.
Do not chew your nails as it not only makes them jagged and ugly but it can infect the nail folds with viral, bacterial or fungal infections. Further, it can make you sick due to ingestion of the bacteria trapped under your nails.
Use a pair of nail clippers to keep the nails at a comfortable length. Clip the nail following its natural curve, without going too much inside at the corners. File them with an emery board or a nail file to smooth the nail edges.
Hangnails: This is a piece of skin that sticks out around the nails and can look unsightly and be painful. It should never be peeled off but clipped off after showering when still soft.
Exfoliation: Exfoliate weekly with a scrub to buff away dry, rough skin and keep your hands soft and healthy. Wet your hands with lukewarm water and massage a small amount of scrub over both, working in circular motions. Rinse off with warm water and apply a hand cream. – IANS