As you finished washing the dishes, you noticed that one of your nails has broken. All you want is well-manicured hands! You even joined the 50% of Americans who use a dietary supplement for hair skin and nail health.
Something has to change in your hand care routine. But, what can you do to help your nails grow long and strong? What can you do to prevent further breakage?
We put together a quick guide about how to keep your nails healthy. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about healthy-looking nails.
Nail Trimming
An important step in your nail care routine is trimming your nails. If you do not take the time to trim your nails, you could get hung nails and chips in the nail edge that gets worse if you ignore them. Not only does this look unkept, but can cause pain if you snag the nail on something.
Make sure to use a gentle nail file with a fine grit to smooth and round the edge of each nail. You can also buff the top of the nail with a gentle buffing block to smooth out any ridges on the top of your nail if you notice the surface of the nail growing in an uneven way.
Polish Protection
Did you know that adding pretty nail polish to your nails helps to keep them protected from the elements and potential damage? Getting nail salon services like gel polish adds a protective water-resistant layer to your nails that acts like armor.
When it is time to remove the nail polish, use an acetone-free nail polish remover that won’t harm your nails. Also, make sure to leave your nails naked every now and then so they can breathe. Make sure to use caution during the periods with no nail polish so you don’t damage them.
Cut Back on Manicures
The average American spends almost $1,400 a year on manicures and pedicures. But, it’s better to save your money and get fewer manicures than you think.
Skip the acrylic nail tips because those could lead to infections. Opt instead for an occasional manicure to trim and smooth the nail before applying regular nail polish.
How to Keep Your Nails Healthy With Biotin
If you notice that you have thin nails that break often, you may want to consider taking biotin. Biotin is a type of vitamin B and one of our best tips for long nails. Make sure to take your biotin supplement every day to get the best results.
You can also find biotin in multivitamins meant to improve the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Check the label to make sure they include enough biotin to make a difference.
Cuticle Oil
One area many people ignore is the cuticle area at the base of your nail. Avoid cutting the cuticle too much or pushing them back too hard to prevent damaging the cuticles.
Another of our favorite nail care tips is to moisturize your cuticles using natural cuticle oil. This softens the cuticles and helps keep them healthy so they can prevent nail bed infections.
Use a Nail Brush to Clean
If you don’t know how to care for your nails with a brush, you should! Do not stick sharp pointy objects under your nails to clean out dirt and debris. This hurts your nail bed and can lead to a nasty infection.
Look for a nail brush with soft bristles and scrub the nail with a gentle hand while getting the bristles above and below the nail. This should remove any gunk from under your nails and leave you with clean, well-groomed nail beds.
Use Gloves When You Do Dishes
When you soak your hands in water, the porous nails absorb some of that water. This makes them softer and more prone to damage while the nails are still damp.
Try using rubber gloves when you wash your dishes or do chores where you submerge your hands in water. That way you’re protecting your nails from the water. Your skin will also thank you for the respite from water and soaps that leave your skin feeling dry and parched.
Take Care of Nail Infections ASAP
An improper nail care routine often leads to damaged nails and/or cuticles. This damage leaves your nail open for infections to take hold and cause you pain.
As soon as you see a nail infection rears its’ ugly head, get to a nail doctor as soon as you can. You may need antibiotics to knock out the infection before you can continue with your nail care routine.
A bacterial infection in your nail could cause, redness around or under the nail, swelling around the nail, and pain in the fingers. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible to make an appointment.
Don’t Let Weak Nails Leave You Bent and Broken
When you don’t take care of your nails, they break often and can cause pain or infections! That’s why it’s important to take care of your hands and nails.
Keep this article in mind when you adjust your nail care routine. That way you can ensure your nails stay healthy and look beautiful.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned all about how to keep your nails healthy. If you have any questions about this article or if you need a great nail salon in the Catharines area, contact us today!