We all desire healthy, perfectly manicured nails, regardless of whether we paint our nails as a form of self-care or incessantly pick and bite at our cuticles. Manicured nails make you look instantaneously polished (pardon the pun!) and can even make your hands appear younger.
To counteract the effects of excessive hand-washing and missed salon appointments, we consulted nail-care experts to find out what you should be doing for your nails, but first, how can you tell if your nails are healthy? Here are the characteristics to search for.
1. Keep your hands very clean
After washing your hands, ensure that your nails are thoroughly clean by removing all vestiges of polish with an acetone-free remover that will not dry out your nails.
Heal Your Skin, recommends applying soap to a clean toothbrush and then gently scrubbing nails and adjacent skin to remove dirt and exfoliate dead skin without harsh, drying chemicals.
Consistent trims are as essential for your nails as they are for your hair and make them less susceptible to snags and breakage. Therefore, you should strive to trim them every two weeks, adjusting the frequency based on how your nails respond.
2. Be gentle on your nails
Against using metal tools under nails, as excessive digging can cause the nail plate to separate from the skin (a condition known as onycholysis), which is common in individuals over the age of 50. Chemical cleaning agents and hand dishwashing can also deteriorate nails. Recommends protecting them with rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves.
3. Clip your nails regularly
Consistent trims are as essential for your nails as they are for your hair and make them less susceptible to snags and breakage. Therefore, you should strive to trim them every two weeks, adjusting the frequency based on how your nails respond.
4. Prioritize nail health over length
Long nails are elegant, but if you’ve struggled with hangnails or breakage, advises that you keep your nails short — at least until they’ve grown sturdier. A shorter style with rounded edges appears neat and is typically simpler to maintain, so you will not need to subject your nails to additional wear. As long as each nail is the same size and shape as its nine neighbors, you won’t notice the additional length.
5. Always keep a nail file on hand
If your occupation or exercise regimen exposes your nails to potential harm, keep a nail file on hand for immediate smoothing of any jagged edges. Work in one direction along the grain of your nail to achieve the cleanest finish.
Try a glass (also called crystal) nail file instead of an emery board, which can cause nails to flake and catch. “A glass file can be used on the most fragile, brittle, and damaged nails to create an even edge.
6. Don’t forget to take care of your nail tools, too
It is just as essential to disinfect your nail tools between uses as it is to regularly clean your makeup brushes, and for the same reason: bacteria.washing metal instruments with soap and water and then wiping them down with rubbing alcohol to prevent nail infections. And remember to replace disposable instruments such as emery boards on a regular basis. There is no reason to continue using a worn-out instrument when replacing it for a few dollars is so simple.
7. Leave your cuticles alone
The cuticle serves a crucial function: it isolates the area at the base of the nail. Consider carefully before cutting or removing the cuticle, as doing so can compromise the protective barrier, leaving you susceptible to bacteria and the possibility of infection (along with painful and unbecoming tears).taking care of your cuticles can also help prevent those dreaded hangnails.
using a wooden orange stick to press back your cuticles once per week after you shower (when skin is soft). Finally, massage cuticles and nails with cuticle oil or a cuticle treatment. “Serum-like strengtheners are quickly absorbed and typically contain moisturizers to rehydrate dry, brittle nails.
8. Protect your nails with a base coat
Do not omit the base coat when you are painting your nails at home.notes that this phase prevents polish from staining the nails and makes the color appear more saturated and opaque with only one coat. Even without color, “strengthening varnishes leave a shiny, hard coating on nails; reinforce nail tips, making them appear thicker; and can protect against damage.Adding a layer of clear gloss between each layer for added sheen and protection.
9. Read the labels on your polish
As with cosmetics and hygiene, not all nail polish brands are created equal, so be sure to purchase and use a quality product.avoiding nail polishes that contain toxic chemicals such as dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, and toluene, as these toxins can cause brittleness, splitting, and flaking.
10. Use a top coat to prevent nail chips
Do not believe that you can avoid the topcoat. This step is equally essential, as the top coat seals in the polish’s color and provides your nails with much-needed shine.Do not believe that you can avoid the topcoat. This step is equally essential, as the top coat seals in the polish’s color and provides your nails with much-needed shine.
11. Indulge in acrylic or gel treatments sparingly
Acrylic and gel manicures, as long-lasting and convenient as they are, are extremely damaging to the nail, so any nail professional you speak with will try to divert you away from them. However, there are methods to minimize the damage to your hands and nails if you choose to get them.
The exposure to UV light in the drying device, which can damage the epidermis beneath and around the nail and increase the risk of cancer, is the primary concern with gel manicures.Applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50 prior to the procedure to help prevent injury, or you can wear special gloves that expose only the nails themselves while protecting the rest of your hands from UV rays.
12. Give your nails a break
During the week, give your nails time to rest and recover by applying a clear varnish and reserving intricate nail art and pigmented colors for the weekend.Going from one strong polish color to another without giving your nails a respite can cause them to become brittle, yellow, and eventually weaken the nail’s structure.
nail varnish removers may also be the cause of your brittle nails. She says that sometimes going natural is exactly what your cuticles need to be rejuvenated and revitalized.
13. Moisturize your hands and nails regularly
Before slumber, you moisturize your face, so do the same for your nails. Uses a mixture of almond and avocado oils to keep her cuticles and nails moisturized while she sleeps, but any nutrient-rich oil or moisturizer will suffice. In an emergency, lip balm can also be utilized. “Effective formulas contain humectants like glycerin, emollients like fatty oils, and occlusives like silicones, which work in tandem to hydrate nails and skin,” explains Wnek.
14. Wear gloves when doing dishes
Rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves — some of which have a cotton interior — are required whenever cleaning with harsh chemicals, gardening, or performing any task that involves soaking or soiling your hands. Cleaning dishes in hot, soapy water without gloves can weaken the nails, while having them caked with dirt from gardening will necessitate a level of cleaning you’d rather avoid.
Similarly, when the weather is frigid, remember to wear mittens or gloves so that cold air and wind do not undo the hard work you put into moisturizing your skin, leaving you with dry, flaky, scaly skin.
15. Load up on protein-rich food
Your fingernails are composed of a protein known as keratin, so just as with the clarity of your skin and the sheen of your hair, you can improve the appearance of your nails by modifying your diet. Dr. Falcone recommends adding biotin, vitamin E, and fish oil to your daily regimen, while eating protein-rich foods such as beans, salmon, and nuts. Once you find the combination that works for you, you will be rewarded with stronger, clearer nails, according to every expert.
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