callous lifecycle

[jephre]

how come callouses seem to flake off and disappear just when they're finally getting good?

 

just sayin...

[Samilyn]

Callous is skin's way of protecting itself, but skin cells are also constantly renewing, so it's a neverending cycle. And everybody's skin is different, having oily or dry skin, that sort of thing, so some people's will flake more than others.

 

Anything that dries the skin will contribute to flaking - frequent washing, harsh detergents or chemicals, exposure to the elements without gloves, etc.

 

For instance, being a lady, I use lots of hand lotion, so mine don't flake off. Just the opposite - have to use a pumice stone on mine or they get huge and ugly.

[jephre]

So in order to maintain my manly callouses I have to get all delicate with sissified hand lotions?

 

I bet Robert Johnson never worried about this.

;-)

[Samilyn]

So in order to maintain my manly callouses I have to get all delicate with sissified hand lotions? I bet Robert Johnson never worried about this. ;-)

 

LMAO.

 

Naw, just get you some good workingman's lotion, like what a mechanic or farmer would use. Cornhusker's Lotion is a good one for guys.

 

And if anybody says anything about you using lotion, just tell 'em your wife or girlfriend has very tender skin and you gotta handle her with care.

[EvilTwin]

My callouses used to flake and rip on a regular basis. Then my wife started getting Bath and Bodyworks soap. Apparently it has some moisturizer in it, and I haven't had too many problems since. My hands smell like "sweet pea" for a few minutes after washing, but it's a tradeoff I'm glad to make.

[Queequeg]

Maybe you're moulting.

[guitarist21]

I wish I could post a picture of my hand because I just played a gig and my callouses are all torn up... its pretty sweet.

 

Ellen

[happy-man]

For me it doesn't seem to be a big deal. If my callouses start to flake I used to think, "Oh no, now my fingers are going to hurt." But my fears have always been unwarranted.

 

Scott O

[kwakatak]

I think at some point either your skin just becomes naturally tough or you learn to get your guitar set up so that you don't even get callouses anymore. At least that's my theory. I've been playing 30 years now and can't remember the last time I had dry, flaky callouses like that.

[guitarist21]

I think at some point either your skin just becomes naturally tough or you learn to get your guitar set up so that you don't even get callouses anymore. At least that's my theory. I've been playing 30 years now and can't remember the last time I had dry, flaky callouses like that.

 

See I'm the same way, but after an intense gig or something, the skin on my fingers will rip a little and dirt will get in underneath and really I have no choice but to get rid of the skin. Otherwise it just gets frayed and gets skin gunk all over my strings.

 

Hopefully this wasn't too graphic.

 

Ellen