They're incredibly overlooked, but your nails protect your fingers' delicate tips and prevent any unwanted bacterial and fungal infections. Aside from that, they also play a big part in the general appearance of your hands. However, if you think about it, your nails go through a lot of daily wear and tear from your everyday activities that could compromise their overall health and appearance, so here's how you can keep them looking and feeling their best!
Keep Your Nails Clean and Dry
In case you didn't know, your nails can expand when exposed to water for long periods, with some even saying that they're almost a thousand times more absorbent than your skin. This may seem completely harmless, but too much water absorption can weaken your nails and make them more susceptible to damage and breakage.
Other than that, any traces of moisture left on your nails can also create the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive, leading to unwanted health concerns like infections. That's why it's very important to keep your nails clean and dry with regular washing and thorough drying. Don't forget to clean under the nails as well to prevent any buildup.
Moisturize Your Nails
Just like your skin, your nails need to be properly moisturized to stay healthy. This means drinking enough water throughout the day, as well as applying the right products. You can massage hand cream, cuticle oil, or petroleum jelly into your nails and cuticles regularly to ensure that they have all the nutrients they need to stay beautiful and hydrated.
Trim Your Nails
Your nails are more likely to break, crack, and split when they're kept a long length, especially if you're someone who does a lot of things with their hands daily. That's why it's important to regularly trim your nails and keep them at a comfortable length. When doing this, make sure that you're using clean and sharp nail clippers or manicure scissors to get the best result possible.
Be Careful With Your Nails
Your daily activities could be the culprit behind the damage to your nails. Here are some things to avoid that you may be guilty of doing :
- Exposing Nails to Harsh Chemicals : Frequent exposure to harsh chemicals is detrimental to the health of your nails and can leave them weak and brittle. When doing any activity that may involve such products as household cleaning, make sure to wear properly fitted gloves at all times.
- Biting Your Nails : Biting your nails not only brings unnecessary force and friction to your nails but can also cause lasting damage and lead to infections. Consider increasing the frequency of your nail trimming to dissuade you from chewing on your nails.
- Using Your Nails as Tools : Using your nails to help with certain activities, such as opening soda cans and scraping surfaces, can increase their chances of splitting and breaking due to the unnecessary stress they're put under. Make sure to only use the appropriate tools for these tasks.
Having a Professional Manicure
Manicures have a bad reputation for being shallow and superficial, but they can actually have several benefits for the health and appearance of your nails :
- Deep Cleaning : A professional nail technician will always start by thoroughly cleaning your hands and nails, eliminating any dirt and bacteria that may have accumulated.
- Nail Trimming and Shaping : Your nails will be trimmed and shaped in a way that keeps them healthy and prevents nasty ingrown nails.
- Hand Massage : Aside from feeling relaxed, a massage also increases blood circulation to your hands, ensuring that enough oxygen and nutrients are reaching your nails. The moisturising cream and lotions will also properly hydrate and nourish your nails.
- Nail Polish Application : The several layers of polish applied to your nails act as an extra layer of protection that shields your nails from excessive stress and force, with some nail polish formulations offering more durability and longevity than others.
The catch is that you'll have to have your nails done regularly to truly see these benefits over time. Fortunately, you no longer have to drive down to your nearest salon because you can simply choose a home nail service and have a professional manicure experience delivered right to your doorstep.
With the important role that your nails play in the look and feel of your hands, it's best to take care of them to the best of your ability. With these simple but effective tips, you'll be able to keep your nails strong and beautiful.
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