Hi there

I have found that the skin on my finger tips get really easily worn down even in the gym, and forces me to have to take days of climbing or wrap the tips of my fingers in tape, does anyone have any tips on how to toughen the skin on my fingers?

Thanks
Sheldon

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\"The hardest thing about Fontainebleau is spelling it.\" — John Black.

Get into trad climbing. You'll find that instead of concentrating the problem on your finger tips, you spread it to your knuckles, back of the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, back and knees.

Rumour has it that the legendary Sean Maasch used to recommend peeing on your hands to toughen the skin.

hmmm, I do trad climb but my heart is in bouldering at the moment, peeing on my hand sounds interesting i might give it a try just be warned about shaking my hand

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\"The hardest thing about Fontainebleau is spelling it.\" — John Black.

One day on, one day off (2 if the skin requires it) and don't be shy with the moisturiser

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Chuck Norris wears Ueli Steck pyjamas

Check out the Healing Hands hand repair balm. It encourages skin regeneration and is all-natural. Will cut down recovery time.

Most climbing shops should have it

I have also seen ClimbOn in SA, never tried it but it should do the same thing for your tips

Years ago when I took guitar lessons, I got the advice to dip my fingers in methylated spirits. It seemed to do the trick then but I haven't tried it since.

I have heard about the mentholated spirits thing, just how long did you have to dip you hands for?

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\"The hardest thing about Fontainebleau is spelling it.\" — John Black.

@Sheldon: Quick, you just dip each fingertip in sequence and let it dry (which is almost instantaneous). I would wash my hands before a meal, just in case - I've never ridden the "Bloutrein"

Hey Sheldon,

I dig the high psyche levels!

You could try any number of tinctures or remedies but having tried a few myself because I have soft-as-a-baby's-butt skin, I found that most of them do more harm than good in the long run. Meths for instance just dries out the skin, it seems stronger because it feels harder but that harder skin slips off holds because there is less surface area touching the rock (we're talking microns but it makes a difference).

What you're looking for is tougher skin, and I haven't found anything that toughens your skin up except for climbing and more climbing. So if the tips start burning, toughen up and go for the send (it might mean a few extra days off if you don't get it but the reward, if you get it, is worth the risk).

If you find that you really need to preserve your skin, for instance on a long bouldering trip, I've found that a good system is to climb for the first day without tape and the next day with tape on the digits that feel a little tender, then take a days rest with a double rest day every week or so. In essence, you give your tips two days rest (one while they're hiding under tape and the other while you're chilling). You're still young so probably don't need as much rest as I do (you could probably go two days without tape then one with, then one rest day), but it does become important to let the body rest a little too at some point.

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...Chalk is cheap...

for longer trips, and assuming the weather is perfect, go for:
2 days on, 1 day off
2 days on, 2 days off

The more you climb the tougher your skin will become. Also, eting a healthy balanced diet assists recovery. You need cretain vitamins and protiens to repair skin, and all other soft tissue for that matter.

so i guess just climbing more is the best solution
thanks for all the advice guys

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\"The hardest thing about Fontainebleau is spelling it.\" — John Black.

I use a product called "Climb On" works like a charm for me. It has even healed blisters. I found it at my local Gym and have never looked back.