How to Toughen Skin for Rock Climbing

There are few sports that cause such extreme wear and tear -- and pain -- to soft hands and fingers as rock climbing. Jagged and rough rocks can tear and blister the fingers, leaving them bloody or oozing. Only toughening the skin will prevent future tears. While climbing on its own will eventually toughen the skin on your hands and fingers, there are some shortcuts that can help.

Things You'll Need

  • Surgical spirits
  • Athletic tape
  • Scissors
  • Sandpaper
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Superglue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut off any flaps of skin that are the result of tears or blisters. Tear a thin strip of athletic tape to fit over the sore and wrap it around your finger loosely so you can still climb. Continue climbing to toughen your skin unless the pain is too great.

    • 2

      Stop using hand lotion. Instead, apply rubbing alcohol and surgical spirits every couple of days to harden and slightly dry your skin. Discontinue use if your skin gets too dry, because it will crack.

    • 3

      Roll a piece of sandpaper into a ball and squeeze it when you aren't climbing. The squeezing action will strengthen your hands and fingers while the sandpaper will toughen your skin.