It’s not uncommon for an artist to find their hands are red and sore after painting. One of the most common causes is the use of cheap paintbrushes that shed bristles, which can then work into your skin. It doesn’t matter if you’re using oil or water-based paints because they both clog up your pores and make it difficult for natural oils to come through with a healthy glow. There are endless approaches to protect your hands after painting work. Here is the breakdown of things.

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How to Take Better Care of Your Hands After a Painting Session

Don’t Forget to Moisturise

If you’ve ever had red hands from painting, you know how dry they become after constant water use during the washing process. This is why it is essential to moisturize as soon as possible, even before going to bed. So if you want a quick fix and solution, go for the best skincare brands in the market.

Find the products with organic ingredients from plants as they have a tremendous nourishing effect on the skin. Comparing a variety of them is always a good idea. For instance, when buying premium skincare from Aesop, consider the whole product line before the purchase. Carefully go through the individual components of the cosmetics, as this helps you make a better decision on what to go for.

Do Thorough Washing

This is the most common and helpful thing that you can do. After painting the hands, it is advisable to use a gentle soap and thorough lathering, so nothing remains of the paint between your fingers. To get rid of any remaining paint, you might want to use a nail brush.

Don’t forget your palms as well! You don’t want any paint on your palms because it can leave a nasty stain. Some painters find it helpful to create hand-friendly soaps. For example, you can boil some soap flakes in water and add a little olive oil along with other ingredients, for instance, essential oils (sandalwood or eucalyptus) and oatmeal.

Another good addition is apple vinegar which is said to tone your skin and remove any residues of paint left on the skin after washing. It will make those sensitive hands smooth and soft, and moisturized for the next painting session.

Keep all the Tools and Paint Safe

One of the most valuable things is keeping your work surfaces clean, especially when working with oil paints. Make sure to use brushes and rollers for water-based paints only as they won’t stick on your other tools.

After finishing painting, keep all the dirty rags, clothes, and towels away from your skin, as they can irritate if they contact your skin, which may exacerbate the conditions. It is also a good idea to wear surgical gloves when cleaning up.

It usually takes about 6 hours for acrylic paints to dry, so after finishing painting, it might be best to leave the stains alone until their job is done simply – this way, you don’t risk spreading them even further across your skin.

After painting, you need to be conscious of the way you handle the tools and paint. This helps in minimizing the chances of skin damage due to direct contact with the paint. Invest in cosmetics, too, as they help moisturize your skin after the handwashing. Having quality brushes and paint also matters a lot to your safety.