Are you neglecting your nails? Our fingernails and toenails can become worn and weakened by bad habits. By taking steps to look after your nails, you can keep them looking pretty and avoid painful problems (like an ingrown nail). Below are just a few essential nail care tips worth following.
Stop biting your nails
Biting your nails (the fancy name for it is onycophagia) is one of the quickest ways to ruin them. Excessively doing this can turn your fingernails (or, God forbid, toenails) into ragged stumps and increase the risk of cracks and infections.
Unfortunately, nail biting is a very hard habit to break - most nail biters do it sub-consciously when they’re anxious or bored. There are a few strategies for kicking this habit including wearing gloves in the evenings or applying bitter-tasting nail polish (check out these examples at Allure). If you bite your nails to give your hands something to do, you could even try using fidget toys.
Use clippers correctly
Instead of biting your nails, you should be using clippers to trim them. But it’s important to choose the right clippers and to use them properly.
You can buy specialist fingernail clippers and specialist toenail clippers. You shouldn’t use a fingernail clipper on toenails, as toenails are often tougher and require a more heavy-duty tool (if you have very tough toenails, companies like Swissclip have the tool for the job).
Soak your nails first to soften them. Quite often, the best times to clip nails are after or during a bath or shower. Make sure to cut in a straight line and not too short. A slight curve is fine (many clippers are curved to help create this shape), but you don’t want to cut too deep around the sides and this is what causes ingrown nails to develop.
If you’ve already developed ingrown nails, take particular care when cutting nails. Painful ingrown nails will need to be professionally treated.
Polish like a pro
Nail polish is a great way to add a touch of glamour to your fingertips. But it’s worth noting that there are healthy and unhealthy ways of painting your nails.
Firstly, your nails need to be clean before painting them. Don’t paint over existing nail polish and clean off any dirt. To prevent nails getting dry and cracking, some people use nail oil too or apply vaseline beforehand.
Use a non-toxic nail polish and apply in thin layers. When it comes to selecting nail polish removers, choose non-acetone based removers (acetone can dry out nails and increase the chance of rough, cracked nails). Some nail polish removers have nourishing qualities due to also containing moisturisers or vitamins.
Take care with false nails
Poor application and removal of false nails can also cause a lot of damage to your real nails. If you’re attaching your own false nails, make sure that you are doing it carefully and properly.
Experts recommend applying base layer (such as nail polish) before applying glue, as this can actually prevent the glue from causing damage to your nail. Before removing false nails, soak them in warm water and consider cuticle oil - this will help them lift off easily (do this gently. Never try to rip them off).
It’s recommended that you don’t wear false nails 24/7 - take a break from them occasionally to let your nails breathe. If you’re not skilled at applying and removing nails yourself,
consider going to a nail salon when a professional can provide the right amount of TLC.
Know when to glove up
Handling chemicals? Many cleaning fluids and gardening chemicals can be very damaging to nails (and your skin too). Wearing gloves is a simple way to prevent chemical exposure.
Gloves are also important when doing manual work where they’re likely to snag or get chipped. In these cases, use thick gloves that can’t be penetrated by sharp objects.
Don’t forget to cover up your toenails too. Okay, maybe don’t wear gloves on your feet, but do avoid open-toe shoes if you’re doing any physical work where you could accidentally drop something heavy on your foot.
Eat more eggs
Your diet can also impact your nail health. And one of the best foods you can eat to strengthen your nails is eggs.
Eggs are packed with protein, biotin and vitamin D - all nutrients that your nails need to grow healthily. Without these nutrients, your nails will quickly become cracked and brittle.
Get your intake of greens
Green, leafy vegetables are also good for your nails. They contain iron, calcium and various vitamins that can help your nails remain strong.
Some of the best veggies for boosting nail health include spinach, broccoli, kale and collard greens.
Keep feet clean and dry
Want to prevent a fungal nail infection? These infections most commonly affect toenails, and are commonly caused by sweat or not drying your feet properly after being in the water.
If you suffer from embarrassingly sweaty feet, consider spraying anti-perspirant on your soles. You can also prevent sweaty feet by investing in breathable socks and shoes. It’s also worth carrying a spare pair of socks - wearing wet socks will increase the risk of an infection.
You should wash your feet every day. After washing them, dry them carefully with a towel. Putting socks on wet feet is not recommended - not only does it feel yucky, but it can increase the risk of an infection. It’s also worth noting that many fungal infections are picked up in public swimming pools and locker rooms, and that wearing flip-flops instead of walking around bare feet may prevent you getting an infection.
Already got a nail infection? Make sure to get this treated as soon as possible to stop it spreading to other nails.
Say no to smoking
Finally, let’s talk about the effect of smoking on your nails. Smoking is not good for any part of your body and this includes your fingernails, which can become stained with nicotine after years of handling cigarettes, while also increasing the risk of nail psoriasis.
Quitting smoking could be key to maintaining healthy nails. To get rid of existing nicotine stains, try using lemon juice and baking soda.
