Taking care of your nails at home can be easy and enjoyable. Whether you’re on a natural look or get excited about painting your nails in bright colors, healthy nails is what it all boils down to. And you can have them with a few simple steps in the salon or at home.
For this article, it will provide you with effective nail care routines for use at home without the need to visit a salon yourself!
Start with Clean and Trimmed Nails
First of all, as in keeping your fingers clean, it is best to have a clear field. Clean nails in particular not only look good but can also help prevent infection. So wash your hands in warm water, using soap and a gentle nail brush, to form part preparation for trimming the nails and applying polish again until clean underneath. Don’t leave any soap residues. After washing, wipe your nails well. This is a necessary step because wet nails are more apt to damage themselves later on.
Next, trim your nails on a regular basis. If you find it difficult to cut them straight across (which helps avoid ingrown nails), then make a snug fit for the whole nail using sharp nail clippers. If you’re partial to longer nails, just clip the outside edges—with the nail clipper (“sturdy, not too rapid” is the rule here!). Then use a nail file to smooth off rough edges. Always make up with one swiping motion only, rather than back and forth; that way you can keep your nails pretty and your scalp doesn’t split.
Moisturize Your Nails and Cuticles
Just as your skin requires moisture to stay healthy, so too do your nails and cuticles. Dry nails are brittle and split easily. To avoid this, use a good-quality hand cream or cuticle oil regularly. Massage it into your nails and cuticles gently. This will help to promote better blood circulation, which in turn encourages healthy nail growth.
You can also use natural oils like coconut and olive oil for moisturizing. Just heat it slightly before massaging it into your nails at night. Let stand overnight or longer with satisfactory results. Regular moisturizing will keep your nails strong, flexible, and not as prone to breakage as otherwise.
Strengthen with a Balanced Diet
Healthy nails begin from the inside. When what you eat will affect your nails’ strength and appearance, eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is crucial to keeping your nails in good health. Include nuts such as almonds and seeds (such as sunflower) in your diet; they are high sources of biotin known to strengthen nails. Ingredients like leafy vegetables, strawberries, lean meats, and fish are also good choices.
If your diet lacks essential nutrients, consider taking a daily multivitamin. However, it’s always better to get your vitamins and minerals from natural sources rather than supplementing them with tablets. Drinking plenty of water also helps to keep your nails hydrated from within. A good diet not only boosts nail growth but also provides them with a natural shine.
Protect Your Nails from Damage
Each day, your nails endure a great deal of wear and tear. Simple things such as washing dishes, typing, and gardening can all take their toll. To protect your nails, always wear gloves when doing household chores, particularly with the types of soaps and washing powders one uses today. Gloves act as a barrier between your nails and harmful substances, keeping them safe and strong.
Try to give your nails a breather if you paint them regularly. Continuous use of nail polish will dry out your nails, especially if you use harsh removers. Also, get a non-acetone remover and use a base coat before applying polish. This will protect your nails from the damaging effects of chemicals in nail polish.
Offer Your Nails Regular Rest
Although it’s fun to change the color of your nails by painting them, remember that they also need a “rest.” Keep your fingernails covered with polish, and the material will grow away from the cuticle, discoloring it after a few weeks. Forgoing polish for a few days each month is actually worthwhile. It allows your nails time to breathe and provides some nourishment with oil treatments or creams.
During the intermission, a nail strengthener can be used. This sort of product has ingredients that can help restore damaged nails, such as keratin and others that are best for the slow recovery period. After a few days of rest, your nails will get a chance to repair themselves and that means you can go healthily ever after.
The end
Simple home nail care isn’t hard to do. With the steps we mentioned above–keep things clean, give your nails a rest and some protection along the line of a balanced diet, as well as healthy eating–you’ll have strong healthy nails. Make these routines a part of your self-care commitments, and you can enjoy satisfying nails to be proudly paraded. Remember, healthy nails are a sign that you yourself feel good. Therefore give them the care they need and deserve.
