Originally Posted by: jakarta33Does it help to use hydratant cream or it would soften the callouses?
Can also washing the hands frequently easy dehydration and lost of the calluses?
I believe any wetting of the finger tips works against forming calluses or keeping them. I also believe in playing with clean hands but I make sure my fretting hand is totally dry when I play, whether I've just washed my hands or not.
During these days of more frequent hand washing I've started the routine of hitting the calluses with a good dose of 91% isopropyl alcohol a couple times throughout the day and at bedtime. I can't really tell if helps the calluses but I think it does. It does make at least one hand extra clean.
YMMV.
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins