6 Best Nail Care Tips To Keep Healthy Nails
Whether you paint colors on your nails or love neutral nails, you want healthy and well-maintained nails. Nails aren’t just an accessory but also an indicator of your overall health. Proper nail care is essential to prevent nail damage, infections, and brittleness.
No matter the reasons you want to maintain proper nail care, it is a worthwhile investment to keep your nails healthy, and it requires time, not money. Getting regular manicures may be one of the ways, but it isn’t the only way.
It isn’t hard to maintain a proper nail care routine. It is mostly through simple lifestyle habits. It’s all about adopting a few good nail care habits and giving up on those bad ones. In this article, we will explore the best nail care tips that will help you achieve strong, beautiful, and healthy nails. So, let’s dive deeper into it.
Best Nail Care Tips #1 - Moisturize Regularly
You often hear of moisturizing your skin to keep it healthy, but most people will be overlooked it when it comes to nail care. Our nails require external moisture to stay healthy. Moisturizing your nail regularly is a way to keep your nails healthy. It can help to prevent your nails from dryness, brittleness, and breakage.
When creating a nail care routine, do include moisturizing in it. Remember, our skin and scalp have a certain ability to produce oil naturally, but our nails don’t. It is unavoidable to wash our hands; frequent washing will take away our nails’ nourishment.
If possible, moisturize your nails each time you wash your hand. Consider giving your nails a little extra attention when applying your hand lotion. If you use sanitizer regularly, apply some hand cream after that, as the alcohol in sanitizers can make your nails and hands dry.
Best Nail Care Tips #2 - Be Gentle
Being gentle is the best way to care for your nails, but most people forget to be gentle with their nails. You can prevent damage, breakage, and other common nail issues by practicing gentle nail care.
Many people tend to use their nails as replacement tools. You need to resist the urge, as your nails are not meant to be used as tools for tasks like opening cans, scratching surfaces, or removing stickers. There are many other ways to complete these tasks.
If you are indulging in an acrylic or gel manicure, you want to remove it correctly. Look for a proper gel nail polish kit that includes all the tools needed to treat your nails as if they will weaken your nails if you remove them incorrectly. Also, do give your nails some breathing space to stay healthy. If you regularly wear nail polish or artificial nails, make sure to give your nails regular breaks. This allows them to recover and prevents them from becoming weak or discolored.
Best Nail Care Tips #3 - Wear Glove When Washing Dishes
You will want to wear gloves when cleaning with harsh chemicals, gardening, or anything that involves dirtying or soaking your hands. It can be vinyl, nitrile, rubber, or plastic gloves. Wearing gloves is a simple yet effective way to protect your nails from potential damage caused by water, harsh detergents, and physical trauma.
When cleaning your dishes in hot, soapy water, it can weaken your nails. Even after gardening, you will need a level of cleaning to remove the dirt from your nails which you want to avoid if possible. Gloves provide an extra layer of cushioning and protection.
Remember, wearing gloves is beneficial for your nail health and the overall health of your hands. It is a small step that you can make a huge difference in maintaining the strength and beauty of your nails.
Best Nail Care Tips #4 - Leave Your Cuticles Alone
Cuticles serve an important purpose in protecting the nail matrix and preventing infection. So if you intend to cut or remove the cuticle, you need to think twice. You can help to minimize dreaded hangnails by taking care of your cuticles.
Gently push back your cuticles if necessary. After a warm bath or shower, when the cuticles are softened, use a soft, damp cloth or a cuticle pusher to gently push them back. Finish by massaging the nails and cuticles with treatment or cuticle oil. Be cautious not to apply too much pressure or force.
By leaving your cuticles alone and focusing on gentle care, you can maintain the health and appearance of your nails. Remember, healthy cuticles contribute to healthy nails.
Best Nail Care Tips #5 - Always Keep A Nail File On Hand
Keeping a nail file on hand is a smart and convenient practice for maintaining healthy and well-groomed nails. Having a nail file readily available allows you to address any rough edges, snags, or uneven lengths that may occur.
Work in one direction for the smoothest finish when using a nail file. Choose a glass nail file instead of an Emory board. Emory board can cause nails to snag and peel. A glass file can create a more even edge to the nail.
Apply light pressure while filing to avoid excessive friction and heat buildup, which can damage the nail. Be patient and file gradually to achieve the desired shape and length.
Keeping a nail file on hand lets you quickly address any nail-related concerns and maintain well-groomed and healthy nails. It’s a small but practical tool contributing to your nail care routine.
Best Nail Care Tips #6 - Use A Top Coat To Prevent Nail Chips
Using a top coat is an excellent way to protect your nails and prevent chips, helping to maintain a beautiful and long-lasting manicure. A top coat is a protective barrier, adding strength and durability to your nail polish.
You wouldn’t want to skip this step as it can seal the polish’s color and add a gloss finish to your nail. It is recommended to add another top coat layer every three days to decrease chipping to get the most out of your manicure.
This step may look simple, but it provides added protection and ensures your manicure stays intact for an extended period of time.
