How to take care of your hands - grace, youth, beauty

Dry hand skin is a common problem characterized by a decrease in moisture in the outer layer of the skin - the epidermis. According to statistics, every fifth person worldwide suffers from dry skin1.

Very dry skin of the fingers and hands is an alarming sign of a violation of the barrier properties of the epidermis, which can be temporary or long-term. People with this condition have a feeling of tightness, the skin is easily irritated, becomes sensitive to external influences, becomes flabby, and less elastic. If you do not take any action, a whole range of unpleasant symptoms will appear in the future, such as:

• change in surface relief;
• the appearance of small wrinkles and microcracks;
• peeling;
• signs of an inflammatory process.

Hydrolipid film is a natural barrier consisting of exfoliated horny scales, sebum, sweat, microflora and organic acids. In case of severe imbalance of the components of the water-fat film, a pathological condition of the skin develops - xerosis. The skin of the hands begins to peel off, and many small grayish-white scales appear on it. It becomes dull and rough. Sometimes there are areas of redness, superficial or deep cracks. These changes are accompanied by a feeling of tightness, itching, tingling, pain (especially when in contact with external factors2.

When the permeability of the skin barrier is impaired, the surface of the hands becomes vulnerable to infectious (bacterial, viral, fungal) and chemical agents. When the skin is frequently damaged, the cells of its upper layer (epidermis) produce cytokines - substances that initiate and maintain inflammation. Therefore, the characteristics of dry skin are sensitivity to irritation, susceptibility to allergies and infections3.

Causes of rapid aging of hand skin

One of the main reasons for early changes and premature aging of the skin of the hands is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, that is, sunlight (this is the so-called photoaging). It leads to the formation of wrinkles of varying depths. As a result:

• the dermis becomes very thin;
• skin volume is lost;
• Pigmentation appears on the hands.

The skin daily experiences the effects of negative factors from the outside: a person regularly wets his hands, immerses them in water, washes dishes without gloves, exposing his hands to the chemicals that make up the detergent compositions.

In winter and autumn, with a decrease in air temperature, so-called “pimples” and small cracks form on the skin, and in the summer, when it is hot, the dermis dries out, and pigment spots form on the surface.

The condition of the skin is influenced by:

• hormonal imbalance;
• problems of metabolic processes - disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system, digestive disorders, intoxication of the body;
• untimely or improper care of the skin of the hands.

Cigarettes, regular lack of sleep, stressful situations, consumption of junk food, excessive alcohol consumption - all this provokes problems, entails hormonal imbalance, which, like a chain, leads to early age-related changes in the skin on the hands.

If a woman is young and takes good care of herself, but her hands are flabby and wrinkled, she should consult a specialist, since only a doctor can accurately diagnose the cause of aging, choose the right method of rejuvenation, and solve the problem as efficiently as possible.

What to do if you have dry hands

If the problem is caused by internal causes, you need to focus on treating the underlying disease. However, there are general recommendations that help normalize metabolic processes in the dermis and help eliminate dry skin on the hands:

• keeping hydrated (drinking enough fluids);
• healthy, balanced diet, rich in unsaturated fatty acids (avocado, vegetable oils, fatty fish, nuts, etc.);
• smoking cessation and moderate alcohol consumption;
• adequate physical activity;
• reducing time spent in the sun;
• use of mild cleansers and care products for dry skin.

Basic recommendations

The skin on the hands is softer than on the face. It contains five times less lipids, and the palms have absolutely no sebaceous glands. This means that hands often suffer from moisture deficiency and require care treatments on a daily basis.

The minimum program includes:

1. Hydration. You should always keep the cream at hand: on a shelf in your room, in the living room, in your car and in your bag with you, at work. It should be used every time your hands are washed, and when applying, perform gymnastic exercises - slightly pull each finger in turn. Cosmetologists advise using a product with glycerin elements, aloe juice, herbal extracts (at least twice a day). It is not necessary to buy a specialized cream; a traditional one will do. The main thing is that it is not overly greasy. The cream should be well absorbed.
2. Peeling. Twice a week it is recommended to exfoliate the skin using scrubbing and a special exfoliant. After the procedure, be sure to apply the cream, and massage the aroma oil into the cuticle area. It is recommended to take care of the cuticle every day, this will make the nail bed softer.
3. Nutrition. If the skin is excessively dry and sensitive, reacts painfully to wind and low temperatures with peeling, and after washing the skin feels tight, then at night you need to use a rich cream or a special balm. Masks have a beneficial effect on the dermis - they should be applied twice a week, in a thick layer, for 10 - 15 minutes, then washed off under the tap.
4. Protection. To prevent the early formation of age spots, it is necessary to protect your brushes from ultraviolet radiation using special products with SPF. In the period April-October - in the southern regions, in May-September - in the middle zone of the country.

This is a minimum program for caring for the skin of your hands; you must follow it, then your skin will be soft, healthy, and young.

Therapeutic measures

To begin with, it is enough to determine which vitamins are missing. This is especially necessary for children.

Vitamin complexes

With such pathologies, the body usually experiences a deficiency of retinol (vitamin A) and tocopherol (vitamin E). Specially developed vitamin complexes will help fill the deficiency.

• Alphabet is a vitamin complex intended for use in cases of weakened immunity and during the recovery period after a serious illness. Helps compensate for the lack of vitamins A and E, which are important for the skin. There is an option for both adults and children of preschool and school age. The product is available in tablet form.
• Vitrum - intended for men and women. Available in tablet form. Contains the required daily intake of retinol and tocopherol. Not prescribed for children under 12 years of age .
• Complivit is a unique complex that has several varieties for men, women and children. For adults, the product is available in tablet form. For children, it is available in the form of chewing candies and gelatin bears. There are also special varieties for mature women, designed to normalize hormonal balance, the disruption of which often causes peeling of the epidermis on the fingers.

Any vitamin complex is prescribed exclusively by a specialist; This is especially true for children. Violation of this recommendation leads to the development of allergic reactions and other disorders associated with improper selection and use of the product.

Special creams

Various creams are suitable for affecting the skin externally. It is better to choose those that nourish and moisturize the epidermis, and also contain oils and vitamins.

The following are considered the most popular and effective:

• Nivea cream allows you to retain fluid in the skin throughout the day and prevents dehydration. Thanks to this effect, the epidermis is constantly moisturized; Gradually, peeling and dryness disappear. The manufacturer presents a variety of product for men and women with different amounts of nutritional components. Also
• Lemon-glycerin cream "Nevskaya Cosmetics" not only nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis, but also strengthens its protective mechanism, allows you to constantly keep the skin moisturized and relieves irritation. The product can be used by both men and women. Low cost coupled with effectiveness make the product quite popular.
• Nourishing cream "Clean Line" is also suitable for women and men. It nourishes the skin, prevents dryness and flaking, and is approved for daily use.

For children, it is best to choose special hypoallergenic creams with extracts of chamomile, celandine or calendula, rosehip oils and other valuable components. The most preferable option would be Umka or moisturizing cream from the Children's Pharmacy brand.

Before applying any cream to an adult or child, it is recommended to test for an allergic reaction by applying a small amount of the product to the skin of the inside of the forearm. If there is no negative reaction within 24 hours, you can use the product.

Daily care

Home care should be systematic. The rules are as follows:

• after the hands have been wet, dry them well and use cream to moisturize;
• Wash your palms only with warm water, not ice or boiling water, especially if the skin is constantly peeling, drying, cracking;
• Brushes should be washed with cleansing agents with a pH no higher than 5;
• after working in the country, you should not wipe off dirt with a hard cloth, wash it carefully several times, and even better, work with gloves;
• When cleaning the house, you should wear rubber gloves - they will protect the dermis from the action of chemicals.

You need to apply the cream every day, morning and evening.

Causes and symptoms

Loss of skin tone and elasticity is associated with many factors, including:

• age;
• stress;
• bad ecology;
• lack of vitamins and minerals;
• unbalanced diet;
• lack of hydration;
• presence of bad habits;
• incorrect selection of care products;
• lack of physical activity;
• genetic predisposition;
• hormonal changes in the body.

The collagen contained in it is responsible for the elasticity of cells. Over time, collagen becomes thinner, cell renewal slows down, and the skin becomes thinner, causing wrinkles and folds to appear.

External manifestations of loss of elasticity are expressed in the appearance of wrinkles, enlarged pores, and age spots. The skin loses its healthy color. It slowly returns to its original shape when pulled back. It is impossible to stop this process completely, but with the help of proper care and cosmetic procedures it can be slowed down.

How to care depending on age

The dermis of the hands ages very early. To prevent this from happening too quickly, skin care should be age-appropriate.

The recommendations are as follows:

1. 20+. Caring at home at such a young age is not difficult. The base is a hand cream with glycerin substances and fatty acids. It is better to wash with products with a neutral pH, and when cleaning and other work it is important to use special gloves.
2. 30+. This requires more effort and responsibility. The dermis begins to lose its tone, becomes less elastic, and reacts more strongly to negative external actions. And to restore it, more manipulations are required than before. It is better to buy creams with antioxidant elements, substances that regenerate cells and normalize blood circulation. Twice a week it is important to perform gentle scrubbing or use products with AHA. Such procedures should be used in parallel with massage.
3. 40+. At this age, the dermis is already more vulnerable to external factors: severe cold in winter and scorching sun in summer provoke moisture deficiency and peeling. UV leads to the appearance of age spots, and getting rid of them is very difficult. At this age, it is recommended to include a healthy diet. We must not forget about peeling, masks, paraffin therapy and wraps.
4. 50+. When menopause has passed, the dermis becomes thinner and its protective functions become noticeably weaker. It is important to take care at home at this age systematically, every day and persistently, using cosmetic products. Anti-aging products with a high level of nutrients and moisture-retaining substances, natural oils are used. And in the summer - with a protective factor against ultraviolet rays.

For complete and high-quality care for the dermis, you can consult a doctor. In the modern world, professional techniques are used for care:

• peeling with acids: they whiten and fight fine wrinkles;
• paraffin therapy: it makes the epidermis softer;
• mesotherapy: injections of special cocktails with vitamins, peptide substances, amino acids, hyaluronic acid smooth and add shine;
• biorevitalization: hyaluronic acid is injected into the dermis through injections, this provides long-lasting hydration, increases turgor and tones, eliminates wrinkles.

Many methods are used today; the doctor selects treatment individually.

TOP 4 rules for caring for dry and very dry hand skin

Here are some general tips and tricks that may help if the skin on your palms and hands is flaking:

1. Choose your hand cleanser for daily use carefully. If the skin on your palms and arms is dry, you can pay attention to creamy cleansers labeled “soap-free.”
2. If there are no wounds or cracks on the skin of your hands, then 1-2 times a week you can gently scrub the skin of your hands as an option for intensive cleansing. Gentle exfoliation will not only help stimulate the renewal of the upper layers of the skin, but can also make it more receptive to the use of moisturizing and restorative care products.
3. If your hands are very dry, try to use specialized care every day - for example, CeraVe restoring cream for very dry skin of hands, which contains components that help restore the skin's own protective functions, moisturize it and strengthen the lipid barrier.
4. Don't forget to protect your hands (household gloves) when working with cleaning products and other household chemicals. They often contain alkaline and other aggressive components that can negatively affect the condition of the skin of the hands, causing irritation and dryness.

We hope that this article helped you understand the reasons why your hands may peel, answered questions about what to do with dry fingers, hands and palms, and suggested how you can deal with the problem of dry hands depending on the season!

Hand massage

The most affordable thing that can be done for care is a hand massage. It will provide the following effects:

• eliminates swelling;
• improves blood circulation;
• softens the skin.

Such procedures are especially indicated when there is a feeling of cold in the hands and in the warm season. After applying the cream, you should move very gently, without pressing, in a circle from the ends of your fingers to your wrist. Massage until the cream stops slipping under your fingers.

Hand care is an important part of a woman’s life, and today also a man’s. If you follow the simple recommendations of cosmetologists, your skin will remain young and beautiful for much longer.

Limit hand contact with cleaning products

The main culprit for dry hands is exposure to chemicals in cleaning products. They can be harmful to your skin and lead to irritation that is difficult to deal with.

Fortunately, soap comes in different varieties, and you can choose one that is gentler and more moisturizing, and it will be no less effective than regular soap. For example, Castile soap, which has been around since the Middle Ages, has been known to remove invisible pathogens for generations.

Try switching to more natural soap options and using rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Carry small packages of moisturizers with you when you leave the house.

One way to keep your hands soft and smooth is to always carry a small amount of moisturizer with you. So, if you need to use hand sanitizer, you can always follow it with a restorative cream that neutralizes the effects of alcohol.

If you can't find the small package of moisturizer, you can simply pour it from the large package into a small container that you can always carry with you.

1.

Use hand sanitizer only when you really need it.

For a hand sanitizer to be effective, it must contain at least 60% alcohol - which is why such products can be harmful to your hands.

Experts warn that you need to be careful not to sacrifice efficiency for comfort. Of course, there are hand sanitizers with a moisturizing base, but they are not as effective in killing viruses.

That's why, if you can, switch to regular hand washing with soap and water. Well, if you do use hand sanitizer, then do it when you really need it.

2.

Fighting dry hands at home

Oils

Various oils can help you at home: vegetable, olive, flaxseed. All of them are able to moisturize the skin, soften it and restore elasticity.

Making a compress:

1. Heat the oils slightly.
2. Soak gauze bandages with the mixture.
3. Place the soaked gauze on your hands and cover with parchment paper.
4. Wear cotton gloves.

*If hand dryness is severe, the entire process may need to be repeated.

Potato

1. Boil the potatoes.
2. Make a puree using milk and butter.
3. Apply warm puree to skin.
4. Wait approximately 30 minutes.
5. Rinse everything off with water and apply a rich moisturizing hand cream.