Protecting yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 exposure is more important than ever. Alongside wearing a mask in public that covers your mouth and nose, thoroughly washing your hands for 20 seconds whenever you enter a new space is one of the most effective ways to lower your risk of infection, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While soap and water are a powerful resource, constant scrubbing is anything but kind to your skin. If you’re already prone to drier skin, or live somewhere particularly arid, maintaining safety guidelines can exacerbate dry, cracked, or itchy skin. Luckily, there are some simple ways to keep your hands healthy, soft, and moisturized throughout the pandemic.
We’ve broken down some essential tips and tricks below, and if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Why Hand Washing Dries Out Skin
We all know that washing our hands scrubs away dirt and germs. However, many people don’t realize that soap and water flush away vital natural oils that usually protect and revitalize the skin. After excessive washing, your skin loses its ability to maintain healthy moisture and becomes cracked and dry.
These cracks can lead to painful infections and other skin complications in some cases.
We must do our best to continue washing our hands as regularly as possible, especially in our current environment. But the question remains: what can you do to revitalize your skin?
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture
The first step in keeping your skin healthy begins well before you start to scrub. Picking an all-natural, gentle hand soap is essential––ideally one without any fragrances and never dish soap if you can avoid it. After you wash your hands, your next goal is to lock in as much moisture as possible.
Avoid drying your hands by rubbing them with a towel, as this can be abrasive and wipe away any remaining natural oils. Instead, pat dry or (ideally) let your hands air dry. As your hands are drying, apply a rich moisturizer to rehydrate your moisture-hungry skin. The sooner you can apply, the better.
When picking your hand cream, again look for natural options without artificial fragrance. Hand salves and balms can be especially helpful and only require a little dab to cover the hands. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is one of our favorite options, thanks to its clinically proven formula and light, natural smell.
If you’re still struggling to get the moisture your skin needs, cotton gloves are the next step up. Before you head to sleep, apply a generous amount of a thick moisturizer or Vaseline to your hands and pull on your gloves. In this moisture-rich environment, your skin will soak up all the goodness it needs to look and feel amazing come morning time.
Questions? Give Us a Call
At North Atlanta Plastic Surgery, your safety is our number one concern. Dr. Alderman and our expert team are doing everything we can to provide critical information and support to our community of clients, new and old. If there is any way we can help you feel comfortable and confident at this time, please let us know.
In the office, we follow strict CDC guidelines and work tirelessly to upkeep a sanitary and safe environment for our staff and patients. If you have any further questions about skincare or any of our surgical or spa offerings––your next step is to schedule a consultation.
To get in touch with our North Atlanta Plastic Surgery team, please give us a call at (470) 381-3610 or contact us online today. We look forward to getting in touch.