Everyone, from the person who paints her nails every day as a kind of self-care to the one who picks and chews at her cuticles, wants healthy, well-groomed nails. Taking care of your nails can give you a more polished appearance and give the impression that you have younger hands.
We consulted with experts in the field of nail care to find out what you should be doing to avoid the negative effects of frequent hand washing and skipping salon visits. But first, what signs do healthy nails show? Here is a list of things you should keep an eye out for.
Have a good, long look at your fingernails. Are they strong and healthy looking? Do you notice any ridges, dents, or areas of an unusual coloration or contour? Avoiding numerous nail problems is possible with regular fingernail care. Others may raise awareness of a situation.
Manicure appointments have been postponed indefinitely as we all do all we can to bring the curve down. So, you may be wondering what you can do to maintain the health of your nails and cuticles, how to give yourself a manicure without damaging your nails, and how to safely remove a gel or dip manicure. If that’s the case, you may relax because we’ve got you covered.
First, though, let’s examine indicators of strong, healthy nails:
- Nail plates tend to be a pinkish-white color.
- Half-moon-shaped, white prominence at the nail’s base (lunula).
- Don’t forget that cuticles are there and avoid cutting them!
- Toenails and fingernails are all the same short, white length.
We have also prepared information about the dangers to your nails:
- Dryness or vitamin deficiency are possible causes of peeling or cracked nails.
- Nails that have taken on a spoon form could be a sign of anemia or a lack of iron.
- Small white spots might appear on your nails by overpainting or biting your nails too often.
- Inflamed, red skin around the nails might result from cuticle removal or biting.
- It’s possible that tension, illness, or jamming your finger caused those horizontal grooves.
If you are worried about the health of your nails, you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist immediately. It’s easy to spot problems with your nails, says a New York physician and nail care expert. You can solve the issue if you receive assistance immediately away.
Learn the secrets of thriving nail growth right here! To help you maintain your gorgeous nails at home, we have compiled 15 simple tips:
One must maintain a regular nail-cutting schedule.
Nails, like hair, benefit from regular trimmings to maintain them healthy and less prone to breakage and snagging. So, cut your nails around once every two weeks. You can adjust the frequency based on how your nails respond.
Be sure to always wash your hands thoroughly and properly.
After washing your hands, remove any remaining nail polish with an acetone-free remover so that your nails don’t dry out. A doctor recommends using a clean toothbrush and soap to exfoliate the skin surrounding your nails and remove any dirt or dead skin without resorting to harsh, drying chemicals.
Third, keep a nail file on hand at all times.
If your profession or exercise routine puts your nails at risk of damage, Dr. Prystowsky recommends keeping a nail file on hand to rapidly smooth down any rough edges. Always file with the grain of your nails for the best results.
Manicure your nails regularly.
You should be gentle with your nails because they are delicate. However, onycholysis, a condition that causes the nail plate to split from the skin and is more common in adults over the age of 50, can be avoided by avoiding the use of metal devices under nails. Cleaning with chemicals or doing dishes by hand can weaken nails. Wearing rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves can keep them safe. Don’t prioritize length over nail health.
Long nails are elegant, but if you frequently deal with hangnails or broken nails, you may want to consider keeping them short for a bit so they can grow stronger. A shorter style with rounded edges is easier to manage and looks neater than longer styles, but it does not put any more strain on your nails. As long as each nail has the same shape and size as its nine neighbors, the extra length won’t be noticeable.
Glass (or crystal) nail files are preferable to emery boards, which can damage the nail bed and cause the nail to peel and catch on clothing. Glass files can be used on the weakest, brittlest, and most damaged nails.
Next, Keep your hands off your cuticles!
A vital function of the cuticle is to seal off the area around the nail’s bed. To avoid destroying the protective seal and exposing yourself to microorganisms and the danger of infection, think twice before cutting or removing the cuticle (as well as painful and unsightly tears). If you keep your cuticles in good shape, you’ll be less likely to have annoying hangnails.
The seventh tip is to maintain your nail equipment properly.
Microorganisms make it imperative that you clean and disinfect your cosmetics brushes and nail instruments regularly. Cleaning metal instruments with soap and water and then rubbing alcohol can help prevent nail infections. It’s also important to remember to replace one-time-use tools like emery boards on a consistent basis.
The medical director at Dermatology Associates in New York recommends pushing back your cuticles once a week after a shower using an orange wooden stick (when the skin is soft). Finally, massage your cuticles and nails with cuticle oil or a treatment. Serum-like nail strengtheners are easily absorbed and typically contain moisturizing ingredients to revive dry, brittle nails.
Don’t forget to take a look at the bottle’s label.
Nail polish is a cosmetic much like any other, so you want to be sure you’re using or buying a good one. Nail polishes containing dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, and toluene can cause your nails to become brittle, split, and crack.
Nail polish isn’t permanent, therefore it’s important to use a base coat to prevent damage.
The base coat is an essential step in at-home manicures and should never be skipped. In addition to shielding the nail polish from smudges, this method makes the color appear richer and more opaque with just one coat. The consultant we worked closely with told us that using a strengthening varnish will “lead to a bright, firm covering on nails without affecting their color.” They thicken the tips visually and provide protection from breakage. If you want to take things to the next level, though, he suggests putting a coat of clear gloss in between each layer to provide extra shine and protection.
Top coats can prevent nail chipping from occurring.
Don’t forget the finishing coat, either. In addition to preserving the color of the polish, the top coat also gives your nails that much-needed glossy shine they’ve been missing. If you want your manicure to look good and last as long as possible, Nail Experts recommend applying a new coat of top coat every three days.
Stop biting your nails for a while, number.
If you want to give your nails a breather throughout the week, paint them with a clear gloss and save the intricate manicures and bright, vivid colors for the weekend. Never taking a break between coats of highly pigmented polish can lead your nails to become brittle, and yellow, and weaken the nail bed.
A nail and enamel expert also suggests that nail paint removers may be to blame for your brittle nails. Experts recommend going au natural if you want your nails to look and feel rejuvenated.
Applying acrylic or gel treatments too often might be damaging.
Any professional nail tech worth their salt will warn you against having an acrylic or gel manicure, no matter how convenient or long-lasting they may be. If you’re set on getting manicured hands and nails, though, you can minimize the damage done by employing certain methods.
The major drawback of getting a gel manicure is the increased risk of cancer caused by the UV light emitted by the drying equipment as it cures the gel. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30–50 should be worn prior to cancer therapy, as recommended by a prominent cancer therapist. You can also try UV-nail-only gloves, which shield your fingertips from the sun’s rays but expose your nails.
Always be sure to hydrate your hands and nails.
Put on some moisturizer to your nails before bedtime in the same way you would your face. Nail technicians in New York City recommend combining almond and avocado oils to keep cuticles and nails hydrated overnight, but any nutrient-rich oil or moisturizer can do the trick. In a pinch, lip balm might be used as a temporary fix.
Formulas that effectively hydrate nails and skin typically combine humectant substances like glycerin, emollients like fatty oils, and occlusives like silicones.
Consume several protein-rich foods.
Nails are made of a protein called keratin, so improving their health is similar to improving the health of your skin or hair. Protein-rich diets, such as beans, fish, and nuts, are recommended by both dermatologists and dietitians. But Falcone recommends supplementing your diet with biotin, vitamin E, and fish oil. Experts agree on one thing, though: if you locate the right recipe, your nails will be stronger and clearer than before.
Last, but not least, wear gloves when doing the dishes.
Rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves, some of which have a cotton liner, should be worn at all times when working with caustic cleaning products, gardening, or any other activity that requires getting your hands wet or dirty. Dishwashing in hot, soapy water can weaken nails, and getting them caked in the dirt while gardening will require cleaning you’d rather not do without gloves.
To avoid having your skin become dry, flaky, or scaly despite your best attempts to moisturize it, remember to wear mittens or gloves when it’s chilly outside.
When applied properly, a press-on manicure can last for weeks.
An adhesive press-on manicure will last anywhere from a week to two weeks. In order to extend their life, however, you should try to keep your fingertips as dry as possible while wearing them. They are easier to free with the addition of more moisture and oil. In the midst of a pandemic, when health officials are urging everyone to often wash their hands, it’s probably not the best idea to keep your fingers dry (and for 20 seconds each time).
To that end, remember this when you adjust your expectations for the time being. Even in the best (and driest) conditions, one or two press-ons may come loose because they are more brittle than acrylics. Because they are press-ons, you won’t need to use any adhesive, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some on hand.
Disclaimer:
This information is for knowledge and educational purposes only, and no legal advice should be inferred from it. The author’s views are his or her own. The facts and opinions in the article have been taken from various articles and commentaries available in the online media and Eastside Writers does not take any responsibility or obligation for them. For any medical c take advice from doctors and consultants.
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