Before wasting more money on lotions to try to heal dry, cracked hands, working people may want to try a new moisturizer on the market designed just for them. Rough Hand Repair Ointment is made for workers whose job or environment causes severe dryness in their hands or other areas of the skin. It follows-on a recent surge of professionals stating the advantages of heavy-duty moisturizers over lotions in dealing with severe cases of dry skin. Rough Hand Repair Inc. claims their ointment can cut healing time by nearly 50 percent and absorbs quickly, leaving behind little or no greasy residue. An age-old remedy for skin ailments, ointments are now gaining support from academics and professionals as a good alternative to lotions. A study done in 1991 at University of California, San Francisco stated that petrolatum (the main ingredient of most ointments) promotes faster healing of damaged skin cells. Many dermatologists are also reaffirming the old practice of using ointments in conjunction with cotton gloves at bedtime as one of the most effective treatments for dry, cracked skin. Not surprisingly, Rough Hand Repair sells overnight-treatment gloves along with their ointment to increase skin-penetration.
What makes Rough Hand Repair unique from other ointments is that only a tiny amount is needed per application. The company says using so little helps speed absorption and decreases the greasiness that often keeps people from using ointments. Owner John Fraser says, “You only need to use a dab the size of a lemon seed. The oily feeling is hardly noticeable and gets completely absorbed into your skin within 15 to 20 minutes.”
John Fraser, himself a former construction worker, says he found that skin affected with cracks, splits, and roughness caused by work is usually beyond the moisturizing abilities of lotions and creams. He developed this product in conjunction with Sorenco Pharmaceutical Laboratories in Salt Lake City in order to fill a need he saw in the market for a professional-grade skin moisturizer.
Qualities that the company believes will make Rough Hand Repair attractive to the work force include being odorless, highly concentrated, and fast-acting. They believe it will also prove to be useful for laypeople that live in cold or dry environments, have naturally dry skin, or engage in outdoor sports.
Other beneficial ingredients in Rough Hand Repair include lanolin (skin softener and protectant) and vitamin A (anti-infective and skin maintainer). Because it is a petroleum-based product, it may react adversely to latex gloves. It is best used after work, especially just before bedtime. A 2-ounce tube of Rough Hand Repair Ointment sells for $10.95 and can last up to 6 months if used regularly. The overnight-treatment gloves are $3.95/pr. Tax and shipping to the U.S. and Canada are included in both prices. Both are available at www.roughhandrepair.com or by sending a check or money order with the order-form, downloadable from their website.