no lotion... ever!?

monica kay started this discussion · 1/7/2010

I'm a lotion addict- I'm constantly smearing it on. Usually, before I have a pole class, I'll take a shower and wash my coating off and not reapply (and feel sooo icky dried out!). Then after class, I reshower and relotion. Now that I want to practice pole daily, I'm wondering if I should just not use lotion at all/ever. 😢 OR- is it possible to just wipe myself down before pole practice? Would rubbing a towel damp with rubbing alcohol be good enough to remove lotion off of my legs & arms? What do you think?

15 replies

amcut · 1/7/2010
You're supposed to get a lotion that doesn't interfere with your pole. ..... there are a bunch of them, and I don't remember what their base is. I can use my jergens a few hours before poling with no problem.
freakiel · 1/7/2010
i use rubbing alcohol to get the lotion off my legs and hands all the time before pole classes. it works!
luvlee · 1/7/2010
I tried the whole no lotion thing and I am so dry, I actually do BETTER WITH lotion. It just depends on your skin type. I have to put it on a couple hrs. before I pole though. But I personally slide right down and can't do anything without a little moisturizer. I think it depends on the weather where you live too though! I am in Ohio and it is cold, dry, and snowing here. So I wouldn't sat give it up. I'd flake all over the place if I did that. 🌸
Mary Ellyn · 1/7/2010
You NEED lotion. You can't use anything greasy or oily as they do not absorb into the skin but sit on it. There are several types that many people swear by. Personally I like the night time baby lotion...it's usually a "soothing aromatherapy" ....lavendar and chamomille is the one by Johnsons. It barely moisturizes and sometimes I even have to apply it several times. SOmeone else I know swears by Vaseline Intesive Care with Vitamin E. Igredients: Lanolin is bad. Aloe is good. Somethings are ok if they are further down the list of ingredients. But DRY skin is like putting powder on your legs before you climbed a pole...you'll slip right off. Think of it this way...have you ever tried to put your clothes on before your skin was fully dry after showering? The moisture that was still on your skin made you stick so you couldn't pull your pants up right? It depends on the type and the amount as well as how long ago you used it. However, I feel you need to use the same type of lotion all the time. Not say I'll use body butter every day except once a week when I have class (a new student not a regular poler of course) as too soft of skin stays moist and sweats. This is especially a problem for people with sweaty hands. Soft hands sweat more...dry hands get callouses and don't sweat.
Veena · 1/7/2010
Yep, Empy is absolutely right! The most important this is not to put anything on RIGHT before, you will grease up the pole and slip. 😉 Cold weather polers and dry skin gals will have sooo much trouble with grip if you don't use any lotion. Remember warm body and warm pole is the best combo ☀️
Runemist34 · 1/7/2010
I've started using lotion, but I don't generally use it very close to my use of the pole...at least before I use it. I've also found that I'm a bit of a shower freak. I love showering, it's nice and relaxing and makes me feel more awake. I also found that the more often I shower, the more dry my skin got! So, perhaps just one application of lotion right after showering, pole dance after it's all absorbed, and then you can go nuts on the lotion after that? Just a thought!
ottersocks · 1/7/2010
Empy nailed it, as usual! You want a water-based lotion, not an oil-based one. I am a lotion fiend. Here's my preferred method: I apply HEAVY lotion at night. I use a Kiehl's body lotion that has Argan oil in it. Sometimes, I apply pure Argan oil instead, and then use a heavy severe dry skin creme on my feet and hands and lower legs. I practically slide out of bed! I shower in the morning. If I know I'm going to be poling that day/evening, I only wash the "important bits." No need to soap up arms and legs, how dirty can they be, really? I apply nothing after my shower. This way, the residual moisturizing from the night before is still there, and my skin sticks to the pole well. One caveat---if you shave your legs during that morning shower, you've removed all the nice soft moist skin, and you will have papery shins. In that case, you can use a light coat of water-based lotion right after your shower, assuming you're still hours away from poling. You can always use alcohol and a towel to remove any residue before you pole. Or, just wear your favorite dance boots for extra stick! 😜
Judy Jovanelly · 1/7/2010
i find that lotioning every morning after my shower doesn't inhibit my ability to stick to the pole at all, because i usually pole hours later in the early evening.... the only time i won't lotion is if i've showered and have a pole class within a couple hours. i use a variety of lotions, but mostly the oil of olay thirst quencher stuff works well for me.
polergirl · 1/7/2010
Corn Huskers lotion is great--it's glycerin-based and will not leave you oily at all. I have found that it's the tiniest bit tacky when I first put it on, so I don't plan to dress for a few minutes after applying.
amy · 1/8/2010
i can use philosophy lotion (http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Pure-Grace-Perfumed-Lotion/dp/B000H8ICI2) literally 2 hrs before class and not have any problems. i actually find it helps tremendously as my skin gets VERY ashy in the winter and i slip right off the pole if i don't put anything on.
Ava macKenzie · 1/8/2010
you can use Avon lotion...their lotion tends to be like water and after about an hour feels like you never had it on....lmao *laughs at the ladies here at work with ashy elbows and knees from wearing Avon products*
Fleur · 1/8/2010
I apply lotion religiously after showering. If my skin is dry or peeling a bit from pole burn, I even add baby oil on top. Yes, you read that right OIL!!! 😂 As long as you have a couple hours before pole class and you are wearing clothing (which will rub the lotion and oil off your skin) you should be just fine. I believe having dry skin makes you even more slippery than a bit of lotion! ~Fleur
monica kay · 1/8/2010
great suggestions... i'm so glad that i get to keep my lotion addiction going heh heh. if ever i meet any of you guys in person, you should feel my arms- they are super soft 😉
verucablue · 1/8/2010
The thing about lotion is while it might feel like it has been absorbed by your skin and your skin might seem clean/dry it can still actually rub off on the pole and leave a residue so unless it is your own personal pole you are talking about and not a class you still should probably not use it the day of class...especially in an environment where the rooms are warmer. I have seen too many people wipe out on simple moves that they can do in their sleep because the pole had something on it.
Foxy_Rei · 1/9/2010
Wow, I never thought I'd hear anyone (especially Veena!) say that lotion in any shape, form, or amount is okay for poling. Not complaining, but I have to say I'm surprised. 🙂 I might have to give this a shot, because I have extremely dry skin. If I wear black socks, the top where it covers my ankle and shin come off covered in a layer of dead skin - the socks look gray instead of black it's so bad. My skin's grip is completely shot after being off the pole for so long, but to think it could be better than it was before is an awesome thought! Now, I have the dry skin but really cold, sweaty hands and feet. Wtf?? 🤔