There's nothing glamorous about hand care. In fact, most men hardly give their hands a second thought.

But when you stop for a moment to consider them, you realize that your hands, like your hair, are always on public display.

Furthermore, people are more likely to come in contact with your hands than with any other part of your body. (Unless you're the weirdo nudist who lives at the end of my street.)

Professional Care
A professional manicure is one of life's affordable luxuries. Just don't let the technician have her way with you. A buff and polish can make you and your nails look silly and affected.

If, however, you simply get your nails trimmed and your cuticles treated — and perhaps have some moisturizing cream rubbed into your skin — your hands will look great and feel even better. And others will regard you as a serious professional who cares about his appearance.

Get a manicure at least once every three weeks, depending on how fast your nails grow.

At-home Care
At-home care keeps your hands looking their best between manicures. There are several products on the market that'll work miracles on even the most callused palms.

One of our favorites is California North Barbary Coast hand and foot scrub. This product is very popular with marine workers and mechanics, and there's nothing fluffy about it. A high octane pumice cleanser, Barbary Coast annihilates the toughest engine grease but leaves your hands feeling their absolute best.

At-home hand care doesn't end with cleansers. Appellation Hand and Nail Cream keeps your digits in perfect operating condition between scrubs.

This gentle, greaseless formulation contains glycerin, shea butter, Vitamin E, Pro Vitamin B5, grapeseed extract (a potent antioxidant), and other natural ingredients to moisturize your skin and protect it against all kinds of environmental pollutants (bee stings, bug bites, toxic chemicals, paint, grease, poison oak and ivy).

Simply rub a pea-sized drop on your skin first thing in the morning; it'll keep your hands in shape all day.

Afraid of Embarrassment?
Don't be. These days, lots of younger men are including hand care in their daily grooming rituals. And growing numbers of men-only manicurists and aestheticians mean you're bound to find one who makes you feel at ease.

Go ahead. Get a hand job. It's relaxing, enjoyable, and your spouse or lover is likely to approve.