Having calluses on your hands comes as part of the package if you are lifting weights.
I did a blog post at the end of 2016 (click here to read it) about how I dealt with calluses but my routine has slightly changed and I’ve introduced a few more products that I wanted to share with you.
So I’m continuing to use the Soap and Glory Foot buffer and moisturising frequently. I have tried increasing the amount I use the foot buffer but in doing this it makes my calluses really sore and difficult to lift weights on my next session.
I am now using three additional products all of which are from Crabtree and Evelyn new Gardeners range: Gardeners all-purpose balm, exfoliating soap and ultra-moisturising hand therapy.
I use the exfoliating soap whenever I’m washing my hands at home and particularly love using it when I get home from a gym session. I use chalk when I’m lifting and it get into the calluses, fine lines etc and really dries my hands out. This exfoliating soap lathers up really well and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and smooth as the pumice in the bar is super fine and gently exfoliates. If you have dry, hard hands like myself you will initially feel that this bar will do nothing for you but it does, you just may not see the results over night. Now onto the scent of this product, it smells amazing and fresh and the scent lingers on your hands for hours.
Now onto moisturising. I have to moisturise many many times a day and i don’t always stick to one moisturiser and use one of the following, Crabtree ultra moisturising hand therapy, Kiehls Ultimate strength hand salve or Aesop’s Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm and I pick my moisturiser depending on what I’m doing. I know that sounds strange but when I’m at work in the lab I try to use the ultimate strength hand salve as it doesn’t leave that greasy sticky feeling and absorbs straight in and i can go into the lab at any point and put on gloves with ease. In my hand bag you’ll usually find Crabtree and Evelyn’s ultra-moisturiser or Aesop’s hand balm. As I’m using them on the move and have a little time for the moisturiser to absorb in i like this consistency of cream. I’m very picky when it comes to hand creams.
The all-purpose balm I use randomly throughout the day and don’t just strictly use it for my hands, I actually love applying this as a lip balm. So for my calluses I put a small amount onto each callus and massage it in thoroughly. I particularly like this just before bed as it has all night to do its magic. I must say the balm is doing wonders and I’ve noticed in a week of using it that my calluses are softer. I love the size of this pot as I can slip it in a pocket or bag but I would have liked it to be available in a larger size as I can see myself going through the pot really quickly.
I have to say my hands look a lot better than they feel which is a plus. The truth is that there is pretty much no way of preventing calluses forming if you want to lift weights, particularly heavy weights. You can wear gloves, use chalk but in all honesty you will still get them. I’ve never really got on well with lifting gloves so i go bare hands and as a result of that i have to deal with the calluses. The only way to prevent calluses completely is to not lift and that is NOT an option. Lifting weights is my meditation and I will have a whole other blog post about that.
Hope you’re able to keep your calluses at bay. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear about them and give them a go. Sharing is caring!
