[Not sure if this belongs under this section but I couldn't find another, more-suitable place to post it.]

Just saw this the other day and wanted to share it. It's applicable to magicians, too.

Tips on taking care of your hands:

http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm?article_id=5740

What other obscure "treatments" do you personally use to address dry, rough, scaly, cracked, oily, cut, reddened, hairy, blotched or otherwise unsightly hands?

How about nail care?

I use a sugar scrub almost everyday. Not only does this exfoliate your hands but also softens them with different natural oils.

Tilt

Do you use just regular granulated cane sugar?

OK, I found this hint on Bryan Dean’s All About Magic January 29, 2002
http://magic.about.com

If you have dry hands, according to Harvey Berg, the best thing for it is a feminine intimate moisturizer called "Vagisil."

And, yes. . . I purchased it myself, and it does work.


Scott

No, I buy a sugar scrub from a bath and body store. Ask your wife, she knows where it is. The kind that I use has bergamot and coriander oils in it. I use this because I like the way that it smells (it is the most manly one they have). If you try this one time you will notice a difference.

p.s. You can also purchase a salt scrub, but I prefer the sugar.

Tilt

Scott O is right about Vagisil, I have dry hand problems and read that post on All About Magic.com. It works, and yes I buy it myself along with all the other little things the wife sends me to get for her.
Mark...

Michael Close has some information about hand care in his Marketplace column in This month's MAGIC. I know that he suffers from severe dryness in his hands and he seems to have found a great solution.

Gary Ouellet, in his book "Close-Up Illusions," provides a recipe for a lotion that one can make to eliminate the problems that are inherent with dry hands. I have been using it now for a number of years, and "never leave home without it!" If you do not want to make it up yourself - which involves mixing together only three solutions - I believe you can purchase the product from Camirand Academy of Magic.

Anybody out there ever gotten a professional manicure?

If so...
Pros & cons?
Cost?
How long did it take?

I get manicures cause it keeps my hands nice and neat looking, I don't buff my nails cause that's for the scary old magician guys at the Magic Castle.

I think that looks funny when you can see your reflection off your finger nails.

but I also do a parafin wax and that just keeps the hands super soft.

I apply lotion to my hands quite a few times a day.

it also helps that I'm a massage therapist so I'm always using lotion or oil anyway.

My hands used to be really rough until I started doing magic. I had a friend who went to beauty school so she worked on my hands for free and got me hooked on the soft hands.

My hands are butter soft now. Just ask any of my clients.....

Not quite as freaky as trying to buy Udder Balm in the city. OK if it's Wisconsin or N. California I guess.

I read further down Geoffs link to see
"Use cranberry juice on your hair.."

Anyone wanna book an aging magi with a scarlet coiffure?

re;
I don't buff my nails cause that's for the scary old magician guys at the Magic Castle.

I think that looks funny when you can see your reflection off your finger nails.

:) I think I know what you mean, I once got some nail buffer sticks but only used them once. Shiny reflective nails look like they have clear varnish on, looks a bit too feminine for me.

Paul.

Oh I see Lonnie....but you had no problem painting them that night at Jon's house when I came down..........

Your pal

Dorian

I've heard of performers actually applying white polish UNDERNEATH the nail (as far in as possible).

I only really use a hand moisturizer after I shower because I have dry skin
james

Any guitarist/magicians out there having trouble with certain sleights because your L hand fingertips are calloused?

I can't do that David Williamson "card spins from the deck" move because of this.

I use Nutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream.

Works for me. I would imagine that different ones suit different people depending on how dry the hands are initially etc.

Cheers

Andy

Try rock climbing, playing the guitar and magic. My hands hate me.

grieve