skin care

ClimbSkin Review Pros and Cons [Pictures and Proof]

April 14, 2016 by Jason Clements

I enjoy rock climbing, and more specifically, I enjoy bouldering. Every sesh, I want to improve. I want an edge. I want my skin healthy and strong so that my skin is not limiting my improvements.

So when my friend, Richard Lonski told me that he completed a birthday challenge that included something like a hundred laps – and he did NOT destroy his hands – because he used Friction Labs ClimbSkin, that got my attention.

Just so you know my biases, I have an affiliate account with Frictions Labs. They make excellent chalk – it is worth trying if you are serious about improving your climbing. You might like it; you might not. That’s okay.

Keah Kalantari is one of the Founders at Frictions Labs – he shipped me a container of ClimbSkin at no cost to me. He didn’t request a review in return for the ClimbSkin. I did this experiment with ClimbSkin of my own accord.

ClimbSkin Review Pros and Cons: Here is My Experience

Pros:

ClimbSkin really works. An Example: I spent 6 hours working on a horizontal roof problem with little skin damage and nearly no skin soreness afterwards.
You only use a little bit with each application. It should last many months for the average climber who climbs 3 to 4 times per week.
Friction Labs offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Many, many testimonials of real, satisfied customers
Solid owner, solid team behind it
You don’t need to be a climber to benefit from ClimbSkin

Testimonial from a Nurse I know through THE Climbing Community

Cons:

Chemicals in the ingredients
On sale ClimbSkin costs $20 per ounce
Your skin might become too callused (You must add an emery board to your kit.)
The label states: Topic[al] Use Only

ClimbSkin Review Pros and Cons: How I Set Up My Experiment
[Read more…] about ClimbSkin Review Pros and Cons [Pictures and Proof]

8 Skin Care Tips For Rock Climbers And Boulderers

December 18, 2015 by Jason Clements

Do you love feeling on the tips of your fingers after a weekend of climbing. Do you love feeling your callouses thickening up? Have you thought about what is the best skin care for rock climbers and boulderers? Many climbers know by now that the best skin care comes from your diet, a solid salve, and good self-care practices.

Here are 8 skin care tips for rock climbers and boulderers.

Never Pull A Flapper or a Hangnail
Never Wash Dishes or Soak in Epsom Salt Before You Climb
Consider Increasing Your Consumption of Omega-3 Foods
Consider Increasing Your Consumption of Coconut Oil
Have A Brick, Cinder Block, Or Chunk of Rock as Part of Your Workout Gear
Use an Emory Board or Sheet of Sandpaper to Keep Your Callouses Healthy
Use Salve Specifically Created for Rock Climbers
Stop Doing Dynos and Try That Move Statically

Never Pull A Flapper or a Hangnail

Whether those were pieces of flappers or hangnails, the worst thing you can do is pull (or chew – blech! Disgusting!) at those bits of flesh on your hands and fingers.

The best thing you can do for your small injuries – like flappers and hangnails – is to always carry a nail clipper or tiny scissors in your climbing pack. Take a moment to carefully trim the dead or torn flesh away. If you are done climbing for the day, care for your injuries as you normally would (wash, healing salve, bandage). Or, just tape it up and keep climbing!

How many times have you pulled a bit of your flesh only to have it pull right further into undamaged tissue. Oh, that sting! And the first thing you think is, “I SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT!” [Read more…] about 8 Skin Care Tips For Rock Climbers And Boulderers

Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve

December 14, 2015 by Jason Clements

Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve

Many of us know Louis from the Kansas City Climbing Community. He may have even helped you gear up when he worked at Moosejaw on the Plaza. Well, did you know that Louis is a rock climber AND a body builder AND Crossfitter! He is also a brand new entrepreneur. Louis is the owner of the American Oak Hand Salve Company.

Please show your support (*suggestions at the end of the interview).

And now, get to know Louis McConnell in 15 seconds:

The exercise I hate the most is Jerks because I have terrible overhead strength.

You will hear me scream like a Howler Monkey when (google that, it is hilarious), anyway,
what would make you howl like that? When a new vegan restaurant is opening in Kansas City.

The last good book I read was: The Man Who Quit Money.

The last show I binge watched was: Dexter and Breaking Bad at the same time.

On my days off from my diet, I splurge on: Pizza and dark beer, but that’s every day right?

HCRB: Alright, Louis, what is American Oak Hand Salve?

Louis: AO (American Oak) is something I created when I was climbing. My fingertips were always extremely raw and it hurt like hell to climb–as much as I was climbing. Not to mention, having my hands covered in chalk drys them out a ton.

All the commercial lotions are designed to “soften” hands. That was never appealing to me because I wanted hard tough skin when I was slapping a tiny crimp.

I researched oils, butters, and herbs and used the best of each of those items to create AO. Fast forward a few years, my hands were taking the same abuse now from Olympic style weightlifting, instead of climbing. I revamped the recipe and saw some interest in the community and launched! [Read more…] about Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve