Callus Care 101

The only thing worse then failing your lift is failing it because your callus ripped open.

I’m not hating on calluses. Not only are they cool, but they have toughened up your skin to prevent infection while working with the knurling on the bar. The human body is awesome.

But… we still have to give them a little TLC to make sure they don’t get… out of hand. 🙃

Maintenance Rules

  1. Don’t pick at them.
    You could accidentally tear them and exposing raw skin which risks infection.

  2. Moisturize regularly.
    Moisturizing should be a regular part of your skin routine. Hand lotion is awesome. Coconut oil is great, too.

  3. Soak daily.
    If your calluses are chronic, despite regular moisturizing, consider a daily 15-20 minute soak in a bowl of warm water. Then, dry your hands and lock in the moisture with lotion. Do this until it gets back down to a level you are comfortable with.

  4. Too thick? File them down.
    If they start to get too thick, it’s time to file. There’s files made for this purpose or you could use a pumice stone.

  5. Already torn? Treat immediately.
    Soak your hands in warm water and gently clean them with soap. Carefully trim away any hanging skin that’s at risk for tearing further (sterilized nail trimmers or small grooming scissor work here). Consider applying a light layer of triple antibiotic ointment (neosporin). Cover the wound with a breathable bandage to prevent infection.

If you’ve tried all of the above, and your calluses are still a problem after a few weeks, consult a dermatologist. They can apply topical acidic treatments or shave them off.

Coach J