How to Care for Musicians' Calluses

Properly caring for your calluses means pain-free guitar playing.

Calluses are a necessity for guitarists and violinists. Formed by repeated pressure or friction, these thickened layers of dead skin protect the fingertips. Since building calluses can be a long and painful process, you'll want to maintain your existing ones with proper care.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls

Instructions

1. Play your instrument daily for at least 40 minutes.

2. Limit the amount of time your hands are exposed to water. Wash your hands quickly, and take short showers instead of baths. Wear rubber gloves when doing dishes.

3. Apply rubbing alcohol with a cotton ball to your calluses once a week to maintain them during periods when you cannot play your instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• After your hands have soaked in water, do not play your instrument for at least one hour to allow the calluses to harden.

• Occasionally a callus layer will flake off. This is normal. Keep playing your instrument to replace the lost skin.

References

• PubMed Health: Corns and Calluses
• Dansm's Guide to Hand Care: Calluses