Taking care of your nails is important for staying clean and looking good. When you have healthy nails, it not only shows that you have good hygiene, but it will also make you feel more confident.
However, nails can easily get damaged from things like rough manicures when nail technicians are not gentle enough. Daily activities, like using your hands a lot, can also cause a lot of damage. The good news is that when you follow some of these easy tips, you can keep your nails strong and healthy. They can still be strong regardless of what you do with your hands.
Taking Care of Your Nails
Taking care of your nails is important if you want to keep them healthy and nice-looking. When you cut your nails, make sure to trim them straight across. This will help to prevent painful ingrown nails, which occur when the nail grows into the skin. It is a good idea to cut your nails right after a shower or bath because the water makes them softer and easier to trim.
If the edges of your nails feel sharp or rough, you can use a nail file or an emery board to smoothen them out. Make sure to file in only one direction, not back and forth. Filing back and forth can weaken your nails and cause them to break.
To keep your nail care tools clean, disinfect them once a month. You can do this by soaking them in rubbing alcohol that is at least 70% strong. This will help to kill germs and prevent infections.
You should make sure your nails are well moisturized; it is important. After trimming, use lotion or oil to keep your nails flexible. The oil or lotion will prevent them from drying out or splitting. It will also help your nails stay strong and healthy.
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The following are more tips you might need to take care of your nails.
Take Care of Your Nails by Avoiding Harsh Polishes
Some nail polishes have strong chemicals like formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. These chemicals can harm your nails and make them weaker over time. Also, if you often use dark or bright colors, your nails might start looking yellow or become more fragile.
If you enjoy wearing bold colors, it is a good idea to give your nails a break every now and then. Let them “breathe.” Do this by skipping polish for a while or using natural, clear products instead. This will help to keep your nails healthy and strong.
Use a Gentle Nail Polish Remover
When using nail polish, it is important to keep your nails healthy. Start by choosing a gentle nail polish remover. Use a gentle nail that does not contain acetone. Acetone-free removers are softer on your nails and would not dry them out as much.
Before you apply your nail polish, use a base coat. This clear layer will protect your nails from getting stained by the colored polish. After painting your nails, finish it off with a top coat. This clear layer will help your polish last longer by reducing chipping. This means you would not need to repaint or remove the polish as often.
Keep Your Nails Healthy With Moisturizing Oils
Just like your skin, your nails need moisture to stay healthy and strong. Keeping them hydrated helps prevent dryness, cracking, micro cuts, or flaking.
A simple way to do this is by applying a little bit of almond oil or avocado oil to your nails. You should also do this to the skin around your nails, that is, cuticles. Do this before you go to bed. It can help keep them soft and flexible.
If you do not have these oils at home, you can use a lip balm instead. You can also buy special creams for your cuticles at drugstores or beauty shops.
Strengthen and Care for Your Nails With Food and Vitamins
Eating the right foods can help you make your nails stronger and healthier. Your nails are made of a protein called keratin. When you eat more foods like fish, nuts, and beans, it can help your body produce more keratin.
If you need extra support, you can take daily supplements like biotin and fish oil. These supplements are easy to find at grocery or health stores. Different vitamins and minerals also play a big role in nail health:
- Vitamin B helps strengthen your nails.
- Zinc can reduce white spots that sometimes appear on nails.
- Iron helps prevent ridges, which are lines or grooves that can form on your nails.
- Vitamins A and C keep your nails hydrated and give them a shiny look.
For protein, you need about 0.8 grams for every kilogram of your body weight. That means if you weigh around 50 kilograms, that is, 110 pounds, you should aim for about 40 grams of protein each day. There is no exact amount of omega-3s you need, but eating foods like salmon or flaxseeds can help.
