Whether you’re the type of person who religiously paints their nails as a form of self-care or someone who’s constantly picking and biting at their cuticles, we all yearn for healthy, perfectly manicured nail(s).
We talked to nail-care experts to find out exactly what you should be doing for your nails – but first, how can you tell if your nails are healthy?
Below Are Tips To Strong And Healthy Nails
Keep Your Nails very Clean To Keep It Healthy
Before you do anything, it’s important to make sure your nail and the skin around them are thoroughly dirt-free. Then remove all traces of your last colour with an acetone-free remover.
Some experts recommends applying soap to a toothbrush, then gently scrubbing your nails and skin. This will remove dirt and exfoliate any dead skin without the need for harsh, drying chemicals or expensive scrubs.
Clip Your nails Regularly
Regular trims are as important to your nail as it is your hair, says Dr. Prystowsky. So set aside time to clip them every two weeks, adjusting to more or less often once you see how your nail respond.
Long nail(s) are beautiful, but if you’re someone who has struggled with snags or breakage, an expert recommends that you keep your nails short – at least to start out with.
A shorter style with a rounded edge tends to be easier to manage and looks neater, so you can focus on building strength without worrying about anything else.
As long as each. As long as each nail is uniform in shape and matches its nine neighbors, you won’t miss the added length.
Be Gentle On Your Nails
Your nail is delicate, and scrubbing them too roughly can actually expose you to infection. Another no-no: Using metal tools under nail, as too much digging can cause the nail plate to separate from the skin. It’s a common problem for people over 50.
Always Keep A Nail File On Hand
If you’re someone whose work or gym routine causes a lot of wear and tear, Dr. Prystowsky suggests keeping a nail file handy to smooth away any rough edges that happen on the spot. The best way to do it?
Work in one direction with the grain of your nail for a smoother finish. And it turns out, the emery board that’s been sitting in your drawer could be causing your nails to peel and snag. Instead, try a glass nail file.
Always Take Care Of Your Nails Tools
Disinfecting your nail tools between uses is just as important as regularly cleaning your makeup brushes, and for the same reason – bacteria. To keep your nails happy and infection-free, Dr. Prystowsky advises washing metal tools with soap and water and then wiping down with rubbing alcohol.
And don’t forget regularly replace disposable tools like emery boards. There’s no reason to continue using a tattered tool when it’s so easy to rotate in a new one for few bucks.
