Dealing with stubble burn

[iluv2tradestks]

I'm enjoying my clinic hours, working with the people and learning the ropes, but I have come home a couple of times with stubble burn on my hands. I've found that no amount of oil or lotion on the client will protect me from this, I've run my hands under cold water, rubbed copious amounts of lotion into my skin, but it seems the only thing that heals them is time. I'll go to bed with burning hands and they'll feel fine the next morning, but the burn is so unpleasant while it's there. This begs the question, who decided women should be hairless? It isn't working. It comes back. Painfully. t085

How often does everyone else run into this? Do you have any miracle treatments for stubble burn?

 

[lesley.mullin]

Dealing with stubble burn

I have this problem from the product I am using. I can't use products with essential oils in them all day because it makes my hands burn. Try using a different product

 

[Alana]

Dealing with stubble burn

what if you directed your strokes in the same direction of hair growth?

 

[HLEK87]

Dealing with stubble burn

I wonder if using cream prevents this as I have never had a problem with it. I could understand why if it indeed does as cream is a lot thicker than lotion or oil. Perhaps that's another thing you could try.

As far as healing afterwards, I recommend aloe vera in some form- lotion with aloe vera, aloe vera gel, aloe vera oil etc.

 

[Waikia]

Dealing with stubble burn

Hmmm... I haven't heard this complaint before. Either you are dealing with some VERY bristly clients, or your hands may be particularly sensitive to that type of abrasion. Altering the direction of your long strokes may help, or you may need to review your technique to see if something about your hand placement or the way you apply pressure is making your more susceptible to this kind of problem. You can always do your long effleurage strokes through the sheet, then undrape the leg for other techniques.

Other massage tools, such as the "magic massager" (or whatever they're calling it now) designed for clothed massage might work for you, but you'll have to abstain from using lubricant and have a clean one for each client of the day. Some modalities, such as "pillowsage" use other types of massage tools that might help prevent this problem.

Of course, you can always take up hobbies/other work with a rough manual aspect. Over time, your hands may become tougher, with thicker skin and denser fascia. Strength training and manual labor are great for this. Martial arts that involve a lot of grappling may also help due to the use of myriad gripping and manipulation methods. For example, my own hands started out like those of any other kid, but now have thick skin and aren't subject to irritation of the type you describe.

 

[Laura W]

Dealing with stubble burn

I have to admit, your question has me scratching my head and going "hmmmm???"

I've been doing massage for over 19 years now and I have never had stubble burn nor have I ever heard of another therapist having it. I've massage plenty of women over the years who had not shaved that day and even though the stubble might tickle a little bit, I did not find it abrasive.

Are you sure this is what is causing your problem or could it possibly be a reaction to your lotion? That is a much more common problem.

Angie

 

[PaoloPH]

Dealing with stubble burn

Do you think it could be the type of lotion/oil/creme you are using?

There was a lotion I could not use at a spa i worked at (it was used for a body wrap and manicures and pedis),I couldn't have it applied to me when I got a pedi nor could I do a body wrap on a client using it. I itched and burned like crazy after it touched my skin.
My manager at the time thought I was just trying to get out of doing body wraps(which I love doing),so I actually did one on her to prove my point.

Switch up the lubricant you are using,that could be it.

 

[just my opinion]

Dealing with stubble burn

When I was in school I had one client give me a "stubble burn". The hair on her legs was very thick and coarse, my hands tingled for some time afterwards, maybe like 10-15 minutes. It was unpleasant to say the least, but it really has been the only time that has happened.

I would try changing products first, maybe switch to pure jojoba for a bit and see what happens.

Also research other techniques for the legs that don't involve so much gliding.

 

[Bernard H]

Dealing with stubble burn

A few weeks ago, I had a very hairy client. My forearms got friction burn from working on him, they started burning halfway through the massage and when I got home they were RED!!! I put Eucerin Calming Cream on them and avoided using them for two days until it went away. They were still dry for a few more days after that and I kept having to put more cream on them. I've never had a problem with the hands though.

 

[mebepat]

Dealing with stubble burn

I agree with changing your hand techniques. If you are finding that the stubble is causing you pain, try working slower, with one movement and that is it for each section of the leg (assuming this is leg, since you mentioned women).

Try working from the outer leg toward the inside - two strokes for the lower leg and two/possibly three strokes for the upper leg and leave it at that.

I second trying a cream as well, to give yourself a little more protection.

• For example:
  
  Start at the upper 1/2 of the outer calf and then just slowly work down and in. 1 stroke done. Next, start mid-outer calf and slowly work down and in. 2nd stroke done.
  
  Next move up to the thigh. Start at the upper 1/3 of the outer thigh and then just slowly work down and in. 1 stroke done. Next, start mid-outer thigh and slowly work down and in. 2nd stroke done. Last, start lower mid-outer thigh if you haven't covered it in stroke 2, and slowly work down and in. 3rd stroke done.