Healthy nails don’t only look great but also indicate that your other organs, as well as your overall physical well-being, are in good condition. So, it’s necessary that you take good care of your health, leads a balanced life, be proactive in dealing with everyday stressors, and get enough vitamins to maintain healthy fingernails. But these are just general recommendations your doctors might give you during each of your routine checkups. As for the aesthetic side of the matter, there are some more tricks that can help you ensure you have a salon-like manicure without actually spending a lot of time and money on salons.
Take Care of Cuticles
If you want to know how to keep nails healthy, you should know how to take good care of something that ensures their health and safety. And that ‘something’ is your cuticles.
First of all, you should always keep your cuticles intact and well moisturized. Picking, biting, and aggressive detergents can compromise the skin around your nails and make your nails more fragile and thus susceptible to infections.
The vast majority of nail experts agree that cuticles don’t need cutting to remain healthy. What you can occasionally do, though, is bush your cuticle back and gently scrape it when grooming your nails. Proper moisturizing will also go a long way in enhancing your skin barrier function and increasing blood circulation, which is great for your nails.
Last but not least, make it your rule to wear rubber gloves when you do your dishes, scrub, or attend to any other household task. This will help you maintain healthy natural nails and keep the rest of your hand skin in tip-top condition.
Use the Right Tools
Lackluster, flaky, brittle, and/or rough nails often result from inappropriate treatment. With this in mind, you should use only quality manicure and pedicure tools that won’t mess up your manicure or compromise overall nail health.
You should pay special attention to the quality of materials used for manufacturing your nail care tools. So, if you’re looking for reliable nail scissors or clippers, you may want to go for those having titanium or stainless steel cutting surfaces. They are rust-resistant, easy to clean, and hypoallergenic. The same is true for cuticle pushers, nippers, and curettes.
Nail files also play an important role in preserving the natural beauty of your nails. So, if your goal is healthy gorgeous nails, take care to identify the type of nail file, that is, the right grit, material, and design that would be well-suited to your nails.
- B. If you don’t know how to take care of a nail affected by a certain infection or grown into the skin, don’t try to trim or file them away on your own. Such cases normally require professional treatment.
Use Acrylic and Gel Nail Polishes Sparingly
Acrylic and gel nail polishes might be great for vivifying your looks every now and then. Still, you would be well-advised not to go overboard with them or completely exclude such products from your nail care arsenal if you have problematic nails. These types of nail polishes contain raisins and formaldehyde that are anything but beneficial for your nails. So, using acrylic and gel polishes for an extended period of time might be fraught with such unwanted consequences as excessive dehydration, brittleness, split nails, and much more. What’s more, by cutting down on using gel and acrylic polishes, you’ll minimize exposure to UV light, which is also harmful to both your nails and skin. For those looking to maintain healthy and fashionable nails easily, consider trying out Polish Pops nail wraps. These convenient nail wraps offer a stylish and effortless solution to elevate your nail game while keeping your nails in great shape.
Steer Clear of Acetone-Based Polish Removers
Need more tips for the fingernails of your dream? Here you go!
Acetone is the main culprit of brittle nails. Not only does this substance dry out your nails but also strips them of essential nutrients and irritates the surrounding skin. So, if you use regular nail polishes, a wise option would be acetone-free nail polish removers that are gentler on nails and cuticles. There are great oil-based solutions out there that can help you remove old nail polish quickly and safely.
Use Soap and Hand Sanitizers in Moderation
Anti-bacterial soaps and sanitizing solutions help keep fungal and microbial infections at bay. That said, they take a huge toll on your skin and nails. So, you’ll be better off using anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers in moderation and only when the situation calls for it.
For everyday use, your best bet would be mild soaps and cleansing solutions that keep your skin moisture intact and don’t strip your nails of oils and nutrients. Also, try to refrain from using sanitizers with an ethanol concentration of no more than 60 percent.
Pamper Your Nails with Quality Nail Care Products
The importance of nail care products can’t be overstated. And you definitely want to invest in a quality moisturizing hand cream, a gentle exfoliating scrub, keratin nail serum, nourishing butter, and cuticle oil.
Generously apply your nail care products after each manicure session, after contact with hot soapy water, or whenever you see fit.
These are some simple tips for stronger nails that will help you level up your nail care routine and enjoy a salon-quality manicure every day.
