The best routine for hand care

Our hands are the result of complex evolutionary engineering. They speak a language of their own, are our primary, precise "tools," constitute a communication channel for our emotions to the outside world, and give us the sense of touch.

Despite all this, and more, they are the eternal forgotten ones in our vanity. And now they need more help than ever. What is the best hand care routine?

Hands should receive the same care as the complexion, neck, and décolleté. Their epidermis, of comparable fragility, is exposed to the same exposome: sun, tobacco, cold, pollution...; to which other particular factors are added: friction, contact with water, inadequate soaps, and hydroalcoholic gels, which make them even more vulnerable. In addition, a lower count of sebaceous glands favors the loss of density and elasticity, premature aging, and the appearance of solar lentigines (dark spots). When we talk about cosmetic care, we usually say that the complexion ends where the décolleté ends, but in reality, it extends to the hands.

THE BEST HAND CARE ROUTINE

GUIDELINES

1. Delicate hygiene

- Use natural soaps, without detergents or perfumes; and in the right amount, without excess. An aggressive soap will not clean better but will destroy the hydrolipidic mantle, our skin barrier; and that will make us more prone to irritation, contact dermatitis, and bacterial infections.

- We do not need antibacterial soaps for daily use. Covid-19 is caused by a virus, not a bacterium.

- Avoid hot or excessively cold water. Proper hygiene is achieved with care in washing, not with a higher temperature.

- Dry your hands by gently patting them with a towel, gauze, or (because sometimes there is no other choice) paper, paying special attention to the interdigital spaces. Rubbing does not dry them better; it only irritates them more.

Hydroalcoholic gels deserve a separate mention. No one doubts that their use is necessary, but they are devastating to our skin.

- Avoid those that contain perfume. We don't need another eroding agent.

- Ideally, we should wash our hands AFTER using hydroalcoholic gel to remove physical residues that remain once the alcohol has evaporated. And moisturize them thoroughly afterward. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. What we can do is moisturize immediately after using the gel. If you already carry your hydroalcoholic gel with you everywhere, accompany it with an emollient cream. Your hands will thank you.

2. Gloves

- Use gloves if your professional activity requires it. The WHO estimates that the incidence of eczema among healthcare professionals has increased by 50% in recent months due to the—even more—exhaustive hygiene measures.

- Also in tasks that involve exposure to external agents: cleaning, gardening, handling machines, and some sports practices.

- The use of nitrile or latex (powder-free) gloves will be favored over vinyl ones, which are permeable. In case of having to use rubber gloves, it is recommended to complement them with cotton ones underneath to mitigate excessive sweating. Continuous moisture can lead to dermatitis or worsen eczema.

- Protect your hands from the cold. Gloves are necessary when temperatures drop.

- Apply a suitable moisturizing mask, put on cotton gloves, and sleep with them. You will wake up with different hands.

3. Exfoliation

- A delicate weekly exfoliation should not be skipped. The greater the flaking due to dryness, the more necessary a good epidermal turnover becomes.

4. Hydration

- Start with what is important: the inside. Drink 1.5L to 2.5L of water a day. Because beauty is achieved from the inside out, and not the other way around.

- Hydration with suitable products is basic and should be repeated throughout the day. You should not wait to notice the slightest dryness in your hands, much less to have them parchment-like or cracked.

- Always keep your moisturizer close by. In the office, in the car, in your bag, on the nightstand... A routine is created by overcoming laziness. Make it easy for yourself.

- At night, with or without gloves, alternate your treatment cream with an oil and with specific masks. This way you will ensure you provide all kinds of nutrients and protect your nails and cuticles at the same time.

5. Sun protection

If there is one thing that the readers of this blog are clear about, it is that photoprotection is the basis of anti-aging prevention and that its use is essential 365 days a year. Hopefully, we will have it so internalized that it won't occur to us to leave home without applying our favorite solar cosmetics to our face. Very well. And why do we forget about our hands?

Hands and the neck are the perfect tell-tale signs of a person's biological age. Hands suffer continuous sun exposure and, generally, without proper protection; which accelerates photoaging that manifests as:

• Dryness and roughness

• Weakening of fibroblasts with the consequent loss of flexibility and resistance

• Difficulty in the production of collagen and elastin

• Wrinkles and furrows

• Destabilization of the melanocyte. Appearance of solar lentigines

It is true that with "hand creams" we deal with two drawbacks:

- The memory of those that never finished absorbing and left an unpleasant feeling of grease and residue.

- And, now, the need to maintain frequent hand hygiene, which forces us to reapply protection with equivalent assiduity.

Luckily, cosmetic research has resulted in products where you no longer have to choose because they have it all! Hypoallergenic formulas, free of toxins, fragrance-free, highly moisturizing, regenerating, soothing, suitable for very sensitive or atopic skin, and with sun protection factor. Cutting-edge technology for complete antioxidant protection and quick drying that provides comfort and encourages what is important: turning frequent hand hydration into a habit.

6. Manicure

The goal of a good manicure is not purely aesthetic. Nails protect the last phalanges of the fingers and their health is important. At Beldon Beauty, we insist that beauty begins on the inside. A diet rich in fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables will provide the necessary vitamins and minerals to strengthen the keratin of our nails. Specifically:

• Vitamin A: tomato, red pepper, asparagus, carrot.

• Vitamin B: nuts, brewer's yeast, vegetables.

• Vitamin C: green pepper, citrus fruits, kiwi.

• Biotin: oats, barley, soy.

• Minerals (calcium, zinc, iodine, iron): nuts, sesame, seaweed, legumes, vegetables.

7. Indiba

Whether we want to prevent or reverse damage that is already evident, we have the solution.

Due to their peculiar morphology and epidermal fragility, hands are not particularly easy to work with. Receptive but not very sensitive to generalist care, the monopolar radiofrequency technology of Indiba achieves a spectacular rejuvenation visible from the first session.

The protocol is apparently simple: after an exquisitely gentle cleaning and exfoliation, Indiba is applied to the palm and back of the hand, as well as the phalanges, interdigital spaces, wrist, and forearm.

Our hands are among the areas with the most nerve endings in the human body. This, combined with musculature that works non-stop, allows the Indiba current to produce a deep relaxing and analgesic effect.

The protocol ends with the application of moisturizing, nourishing, soothing, and depigmenting products through a pleasant manual massage. Indiba acts as an electroporator that optimizes their penetration. A personalized diagnosis will determine which active ingredients and in what proportion will be used in each particular case.

A single session is enough to perceive notable changes in the skin's hydration, flexibility, and luminosity levels. Continuous treatment effectively reverses premature photoaging and loss of epidermal density.

The success of an effective hand care routine lies in incorporating formulas adapted to your needs and preferences, which will help ensure that consistency is not a chore but a pleasure.

Few things are more therapeutic than being in the hands of professionals with the best training, extensive experience, and a passion for their work. Put your hands in ours.

At Beldon Beauty, we place special importance on diagnosis and honest advice. Our philosophy is that the protocol is set by each individual and that not everything is suitable for everyone. Consult us; we have a Tailored Online Advisory service at: https://baldonbeauty.com/asesoramiento-online-a-medida/.

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