Having clean, healthy-looking nails is an important part of personal grooming. You can have beautiful nails without spending a fortune at the salon or having to go through the painful process of acrylic nails. With a little time and effort, you can have healthy nails that look good on your own.
While it’s true that some people are born with beautiful nails, others have to work hard to keep them that way. Here are some tips to help you take care of your nails at home:
Trim regularly
If your nails grow too long and start curling under or snapping, trim them back with nail clippers or scissors so they’re smooth again.
If you don’t have time before heading out in public, use emery boards or buffing pads to even out the edges of your nails after trimming them short enough so they don’t catch on things like clothes and furniture when you move around in everyday life.
Keep your hands clean
You should wash them with soap and water after touching raw meat, poultry, and seafood and after using public bathrooms. If you work with your hands or get them dirty often, wear rubber gloves while doing these tasks.
Limit contact with chemicals
Don’t soak your hands in harsh soaps or hot water too often because it can dry out your skin and nails. Also, avoid using nail polish removers more than once a week, and don’t use acetone-based nail polish removers because they can damage nails over time.
Keep them dry
The best way to keep your nails healthy is to keep them dry. Keep your hands out of the water as much as possible, especially hot water.
Soaking in hot water can cause severe damage and pain in the fingers. Instead of soaking in hot water, try soaking in cool water with a few drops of essential oils like lavender oil added for extra soothing effects.
Wear cotton gloves when sleeping
In the winter months, wear cotton gloves when sleeping to prevent hands from getting cold and wet from breathing through them into the night air.
Your nails will be healthier if they’re warm and protected from exposure to external conditions such as cold temperatures and low humidity levels.
Use a nail brush before bedtime
Gently scrub each nail with a soft nail brush before going to bed at night to remove any dirt or oils that may have accumulated during the day. This helps prevent discoloration of the nail plate surface, which can make it look dirty even though it’s clean underneath.
Avoid harsh nail polishes
Another thing that you should be aware of when it comes to taking care of your fingernails is the type of nail polish that you use on them.
You should try and avoid using any kind of polish that contains formaldehyde as this can irritate the skin around your nails, causing damage to the cuticle area which could lead to infections if left untreated.
Moisturize your nails with oil
Oil helps strengthen the nail plate and makes it less prone to breakage. It also moisturizes cuticles and nail beds and improves nail growth rate.
The best oils for this purpose are jojoba, sweet almond, olive, or apricot kernel oil. Apply these oils twice a day on clean nails before bedtime and after washing your hands in the morning.
Trim toenails regularly
Toenails that are neglected can grow long and thick. This can cause problems for those with diabetes because it can lead to foot ulcers.
Toenail clippers are inexpensive and easy to use. You should trim your nails every two weeks, or more often if they become damaged or painful.
Wear shoes that fit properly
Wearing shoes that are too tight can cause ingrown toenails. Also, wearing shoes that don’t fit properly may keep your feet from getting enough air circulation, which can lead to fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
If you have problems finding comfortable shoes, see your doctor for advice about shoe inserts or other types of support for your feet.
Do not bite fingernails
Nail biting is a bad habit that can affect the appearance of your nails. If they are constantly bitten, they will look shorter and thinner than they actually are.
The tip of each finger will also be more rounded and blunted than normal due to the constant pressure exerted while biting them.
Biting your nails can also lead to infections, as bacteria can accumulate under them and cause serious problems if left untreated.
Eat a healthy high protein diet
It is important that you eat a healthy high protein diet to ensure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs to grow healthy nails.
A high-protein diet contains vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, and copper which help in strengthening your nails.
You should also include vitamin A in your diet because it helps in growing healthy hair as well as nails.
It’s a Wrap!
Nails are a part of our body just like any other organ. They need some extra care and attention to look good and healthy. If you want to keep your nails looking their best, it’s important to take care of them properly.
You should always trim and file your nails regularly, as well as apply a top coat to protect them from damage.
