How to Care for Your Hands (Men)

Hands play an important role in most people’s lives. Not only do people do most of their work with their hands, but they’re also an important part of their overall appearance. This means taking care of your fingernails and skin in a way that keeps your hands clean, neat, and healthy is very important. Fortunately, once you have the right tools, it’s easy to take care of your fingernails and to keep the skin on your hands healthy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Care of Your Nails

1
Cut your nails about once every 1-2 weeks to keep them clean and tidy. Use your clippers to cut your nails straight across, removing the off-white crescents at the tip. Cutting your nails on a regular basis will keep them from becoming long, jagged, and dangerous.^{[1]XResearch source}
- For best results, invest in a portable clip and file kit from a dermatologist’s office. This type of kit will likely include additional tools you can use on your nails, such as trimming scissors or a buffer.
- Nails grow pretty slowly, at a rate of about ¹⁄₁₀ inch (2.5 mm) each month, so you shouldn’t need to cut them any more frequently than once a week.
Tip: Cut your nails after you get out of the shower, as they’ll be softer and easier to cut through.
2
File and buffer your nails after you cut them to smooth them out. Use a nail file to file down the pointed edges on the sides of your nails and round them out. Then, use a buffer to smooth out the jagged tips of your nails and make them look neat.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Make sure you use a buffer with a lightly abrasive surface to avoid irritating the skin around your nails. You can pick up this type of buffer at any store that sells skin care supplies.
3
Apply nail hardener to your nails if necessary to keep them strong. Nail hardeners or nail strengtheners contain vitamins that reinforce the skin on your nails to make them more resilient. Apply a nail hardener once a day for 2 weeks to treat brittle or easily broken nails.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- You can pick up nail hardener at most beauty salons or pharmacies. Many hardeners also dry to a clear, matte finish, in case you want to avoid the appearance of having nail polish on your fingernails.
- Note that you can also use nail hydrators to keep your nails from becoming weak and brittle.
4
Keep your fingernails clean and dry to avoid bacteria growth. Wear protective rubber gloves when your hands are exposed to dirty water, such as when you’re washing dishes. Dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel whenever you wash them and make sure you get all the water out from under your nails.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- Repeated or prolonged contact with water can also make your nails dry and brittle in the long run, leading to split fingernails.
5
Refrain from biting your nails or pulling off hangnails. Biting your nails will leave your nails jagged and expose them to bacteria from your mouth. Pulling off hangnails, meanwhile, may lead you to accidentally tear live tissue on your fingers, which could lead to infection.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Similarly, pushing back cuticles can also lead to infection if not done properly. If you’re concerned about the way your cuticles look, you can have them removed by professionals at any nail salon.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Keeping Your Skin Healthy

1
Apply moisturizing lotion to your hands once a day. Applying body lotion to the hands at least once a day leaves hands soft and feeling great. Go with a moisturizing aloe lotion specifically designed to be used on your hands for best results.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of your hands smelling like lotion, there are several unscented lotions you can use that won’t make your hands smell.
- Any moisturizing lotion, such as those typically used on the face, can also be used on your hands.
Warning: Keep in mind that certain body lotions might give you a rash. This is typically caused by your skin being sensitive to fragrances or preservatives used in the product. If this happens, consult your doctor and discontinue use of that lotion.
2
Use a pumice stone to get rid of calluses on your hands. First, soak your hands in lukewarm water for 15 minutes to soften them up. Then, gently rub the pumice stone across the callus until your skin is soft. Stop rubbing your skin with the stone as soon as the callus is gone.^{[7]XResearch source}
- To avoid damaging your skin, refrain from using a pumice stone more than 1-3 times a week.
- Use a pumice stone with small pores, if possible. This will be more precise than a pumice stone with large holes in it.
- For best results, apply a moisturizing lotion to your hand once you’re done to help your skin recover.
- There are other products you can use to treat calluses, such as chemical peels. However, chemical peels can cause unfortunate side effects like skin redness or even scarring, so most people tend to be more comfortable with simply using pumice stones.
Warning: Avoid performing a chemical peel more than once a month, unless advised by a doctor.
3
Wash your hands with gentle soap and lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water to wash your hands, since hot water can strip away natural oils and leave your hands dry and itchy. Use mild, gentle soap to avoid irritating your skin whenever you wash your hands.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- You should always wash your hands when your hands are visibly dirty and whenever you handle garbage, prepare food, or use the restroom. However, to avoid irritating your skin, don’t wash your hands excessively (i.e., when you don’t have to).
4
Wear sunscreen on your hands whenever you go outside. Use a hand cream or sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. This will help to prevent ailments stemming from excessive exposure to sunlight, such as melanoma.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source}
- Wear sunscreen on your hands and other exposed parts of your skins whenever they’re exposed to the sun for long periods of time, even in the fall and winter.
5
Increase the humidity in your home if the skin on your hands is dry. Dry, itchy hands can often be the result of dehydration. Put a humidifier in your home to up the amount of moisture in the air and keep your hands from easily drying out.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
- This is especially important during the winter months, when the air tends to become colder and drier than normal.
- In general, the ideal relative humidity for comfort and good health is about 40-50%. Use a digital hygrometer to easily measure the humidity in any given room.
6
Go to the doctor if you see something concerning on your skin. This may include a rash, a suspicious spot, or a chronic condition like itchy skin. A doctor will be able to evaluate your hands and hopefully determine whether it’s something benign or something that needs to be medically treated.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- For best results, visit a dermatologist about your concern, since they will be specially trained for diagnosing and treating skin conditions.
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