Sticky situations often lead to creative solutions, especially in art and DIY. With resin art projects, like our live-edge wood phone cases, resin spills are just a part of the process. If you've ever found yourself in a sticky mess with resin on your hands, you'll know it's not easy. Luckily, we have a straightforward solution for cleaning resin off your hands.
How to Wash Resin Off Your Hands: Step-by-Step Instructions
When dealing with sticky, uncured resin, your hands will get messy. Ideally, you'd be wearing gloves, which wouldn't be an issue. But even with gloves, the skin on your wrist or elbow may come into direct contact with resin. In either case, these are the steps you need to follow to wash resin off your hands or other body parts to keep your skin healthy.
These first few steps must begin immediately within 60-90 seconds of exposure. Here's what you need to do:
- First, stop working, observe the extent of the spill, and swiftly remove any globs of uncured resin. Gloves, if you're wearing any, come off immediately.
- Use a clean, dust-free cloth to remove as much resin as possible. Be careful not to spread the resin to uncontaminated skin areas.
- Avoid rubbing your hands together, as this could embed the resin further into your skin. You want to minimize any further irritation and damage.
- Now that you've removed most of the resin globs from your skin, you're 80% there. But the last 20% can be tricky. Use one of the following cleaning solutions to scrub the rest of the resin off your skin before it cures.
What to Use to Remove Sticky Resin from Your Hands
Resin is a sticky substance sticking on everything from glass to your hands. This is how you clean it off your hands:
- Soap & warm water: An initial cleanse with mild soap and warm water can dislodge much of the resin residue. If needed, scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Baby Oil or Vegetable Oil: Apply a generous amount to your hands, rub together, then wash off with warm, sudsy water.
- Commercial Resin Removal Products: Artists who regularly work with resin might consider investing in commercial products designed specifically for resin cleanup.
After cleaning:
- Apply a gentle moisturizer to replenish your skin's natural oils.
- Ensure it's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic to avoid irritating your skin any further.
- Apply 2-3x per day for the next few days.
It's worth noting that some of these solutions will work better on certain types of resin than others. Resin also will only stick to a few surfaces.
What You Should Not Use to Clean Resin Off Your Hands
First, don't rub your hands vigorously together – this will increase the friction and the likelihood of the resin embedding into your skin. Second, don't use any of the following solutions to try to remove resin from your hands:
- Vinegar: Nicknamed nature's solvent, vinegar can be surprisingly effective in removing uncured resin. Unfortunately, it can also damage your skin, so it's not an ideal choice unless you enjoy the sensation of burning skin.
- Hand Sanitizer: In a bind, hand sanitizer can dissolve uncured epoxy resin. Apply it, rub your hands together until the resin dissolves, and rinse well. It's not the best for your skin, as it will seriously dry out the oils on your skin, but it'll work in a pinch if you've got nothing else – it's better than letting the resin cure your skin.
- Isopropyl Alcohol or Acetone: These solvents can dissolve plastics and synthetic fibers—imagine what they'll do to your skin. Avoid at all costs.
All of these will likely do more harm than good, so it is best to avoid them to preserve your skin's long-term health.
What are the Risks of Resin on Skin Contact?
Direct skin exposure to uncured resin can lead to a series of health concerns, such as:
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis – Resin is a powerful irritant that can cause inflammation when it comes into contact with the skin, leading to redness, itching, and/or swelling.
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis – Repeated exposure to resin can cause sensitization, leading to allergic reactions in some individuals. Symptoms may include rashes, severe itching, and blistering.
- Chemical Burns – Some components of resin systems, particularly hardeners, can cause severe chemical burns if they contact the skin.
- Occupational Allergic Dermatitis – Epoxy resin is one of the most common causes of occupational allergic dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated exposure in work environments can lead to chronic skin issues.
- Systemic Absorption – Using solvents to clean resin off the skin can increase absorption, potentially leading to systemic effects.
You must be gentle in any solution you choose to clean resin off your hands or other body parts. Otherwise, the resin can settle into the ridges, crevices, and micro-wounds commonly found on hands, causing discomfort and possible health risks.
How to Protect Your Hands from Future Resin Contact
It can't be stressed enough: using personal protective equipment (PPE) is not optional when dealing with resin. However, it's one of the most common resin mistakes beginners make. High-quality nitrile gloves are the favored choice as they're resistant to all kinds of chemicals and will keep your hands safe. Besides gloves, protective eyewear and respirator masks are recommended to avoid respiratory concerns and shield eyes from splashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What impact does resin have on the skin?
When repeatedly exposed to skin, resin may cause chronic dermatitis, a mild but persistent skin condition. Untreated long-term exposure can escalate to eczema, characterized by symptoms like swelling, blisters, and itching.
Can rubbing alcohol interfere with resin?
Rubbing alcohol sprayed on resin surfaces helps to pop surface tension, causing bubbles and evaporating quickly without affecting the resin or leaving any residue.
What can I use to remove sticky resin from my skin?
To clean resin, first use paper towels or a cloth to eliminate as much resin as possible, then use soap & warm water, baby or vegetable oil, or a commercial-grade resin remover to remove any lingering traces.
Will resin come off my hands with soap and water?
Yes, the resin will come off your hands with mild soap and warm water, though it may require vigorous scrubbing.