When you learn more about the art of rappelling and experience this adventurous activity regularly, you will develop calluses on your hands.
Whether you like hand calluses or not, it is a well-known fact that irrespective of the type of gloves you use, it is inevitable that calluses will form once on your hands.
It may not be the trendiest thing in the world, but calluses come just like that. You have to care for your hands and keep them in good condition by following a healthy routine.
The problem with hand calluses is that they may rip off and flap while you are toiling on the cliffs.
It may inflict pain and distract you while you are rappelling. You have to prevent them at any cost.
The sad part about hand calluses is that they may perhaps happen at any time if they have not formed on your hands so far.
Still, if you learn the following easy but useful techniques, it will reduce the chances of any unnecessary discomfort.
But What Is a Callus After All?
It refers to a natural skin reaction to frequent frictional and damaging forces. Humans are exceptionally adaptive. That is why our skin adapts to prevent itself from repetitive damage by becoming harder.
Calluses form during rappelling or similar activities, which plays a crucial part in controlling your pain by strengthening your hands. Even if these calluses may appear a little ugly, it is imperative to take care of them. Let me show you how I usually try to control my calluses.
Use a Climbing Salve or Lotion
It is essential to sufficiently hydrate your skin if you frequently practice rappelling or climbing activities. If you have hydrated or hardened hand skin, it is less likely to crack. You may try different climbing lotions or salves to see what works for you. I prefer using the Joshua Tree Organic Healing Salve.
It does not soften my calluses too much and keeps my skin always ready for rappelling. You may use the salve every night before going to bed. You can wrap your hands with Mueller athletic tape to avoid any mess while sleeping.
Read further our guide on how to tape fingers for climbing blisters.
- Made with 100% Organic ingredients.
- Great for treating skin from climbing - developed by climbers over 10 years ago.
- Healing for treating dry, chapped skin, chafing, abrasions, scrapes and cuts...with no skin softeners - saves calluses!
- Lush moisturizers for fast relief from drying gym chalk with no added scents - you can smell how potent and natural it is!
- Powerful healing - Make every training day count!
- EASY TO TEAR: Tear as you go! Simply use your hands to tear for quick and effective taping, ideal for support and compression needs in sports or at home, 1.5 inches x 10 yards per roll, 6 rolls
- STRONG & STICKY: High tensile strength paired with superior adhesion, our tape ensures durability and comfort while conforming to the body
- WATER RESISTANT: Maintains its grip even during intense activities, ensuring uninterrupted aid throughout your game or workout
- HOSPITAL GRADE: Made of 100% hospital grade cotton backcloth with a zinc oxide-based adhesive for high quality, multi colors available
- TRUSTED BRAND: Mueller Sports Medicine has been a trusted leader in sports medicine for over 60 years and is committed to helping you heal, reduce pain, and elevate your performance
Last update on 2024-12-07 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Avoid Hot Water
Keeping hot water at bay is perhaps the most challenging solution to avoid painful calluses. It may be hard and unpleasant to practice, but please remember that hot water can soften your skin. Your calluses stand for your strength and your hard work.
It is not worth it to lose them by spending extra time in the shower. I recommend that you either take cold showers or spend less time in the hot showers. Moreover, you can use gloves while doing the dishes if you cannot avoid using hot water.
Wash Your Hands After Rappelling
It is essential to clean your grimy hands with soap and cold water after rappelling. This straightforward tip will eliminate any traces of dirt, sweat, grease, and unwanted chalk particles.
If you do not wash your hands after a rappel, it may start damaging the skin. Remember to clean both your hands thoroughly after each rappelling session to allow your skin to recover from the above damaging elements.
File the Calluses
If you feel that your hand skin has hardened, you may file the unwanted skin away using standard manicure items like pumice stones, files, or even fine sandpapers.
Ensure to remove extra skin by filing your calluses until they match the regular skin around those calluses. However, never rub your calluses too much. Overdoing it may entirely remove your calluses, and I’m sure you will never want that to happen.
Switch up Your Chalk
A few climbers use climbing liquid chalk containing some drying agents because they have sweaty hands. However, if your hands are usually not sweaty, drying agents may damage the skin and cause it to chap.
- GET A GREAT GRIP: Grab hold of poles, surfaces and gym equipment with premium quality liquid hand chalk created to ensure a sturdy and firm grip on weights, walls and any solid surface.
- NO MESS ANYWHERE: Say goodbye to messy chalk dust getting on your clothes and sporting gear – this product ensures you won’t be kicked out of your gym because of your chalky mess.
- TOP GRADE: This professional gym liquid chalk is top grade. Get what the pro’s use and start working out like a pro. You will feel the difference.
- GREAT FOR LIFTING: Get a professional mess free grip on weightlifting poles, weights, CrossFit & gym equipment and bowling balls. Great for gymnastics, tennis, baseball and basketball.
- QUICK, EASY & SAFE: Put a couple drops onto your palms, rub your hands, air-dry for 25-25 seconds and that's it! Made from body safe materials with a light fresh fragrance, it has a lotion...
Last update on 2024-12-07 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
You may use climbing chalk that works best for you according to your skin type. If you ask for my opinion, I suggest using FrictionLabs loose climbing chalk because it works perfectly in my case.
Let us hope that my views have helped you in taking better care of your hands. As you know, hand calluses are natural and play an important role during your rappel sessions.
In fact, professional rock climber Alex Honnold’s hand size contributes to the strength and durability of his calluses, allowing him to complete some of the most challenging climbs in the world.
To maintain healthy calluses, it’s important to regularly moisturize and protect your hands, especially after a rappelling session. By following these tips, you can continue to enjoy your outdoor adventures while keeping your hands in top condition.
They form to improve the strength of your skin and make your hands less prone to damage. Nevertheless, you need to take good care of your hand calluses and your rock climbing hands care.
