9 Tips For Healthier Nails
Your nails say a lot about you. You might not realize it, but they are constantly on display. You expose your nails when you sign a document, press an elevator button, or hold a wine glass. Just like the eyes are the windows to the soul, your nails are the windows to your lifestyle.
It’s Time to Take Care of Your Nails
Maybe you never really bothered about your nails, because you work with your hands a lot or you have a busy schedule. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered, with some simple, effective tips that you can start doing for healthier nails.
1) Keep Them Clean
This one is pretty obvious, but sometimes you don’t realize that your nails are dirty. Twice the amount of bacteria accumulates under your nails than on your hands, so you need to keep them clean. Scrub under your nails with a brush and make sure you dry your hands and nails properly.
2) Love Your Cuticles
Cuticles are often forgotten about. They also tend to get the most environmental damage and can begin peeling, flaking, and cracking if not taken care of. This, in turn, can allow bacteria to enter the nail. Cuticles start to peel due to lack of moisture in addition to dryness caused by harsh soaps or chemicals. The main ways to combat this are:
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
- Wear gloves when using harsh detergents.
- Use milder hand soaps
- Apply cuticle oils
- Visit a nail salon for a cuticle treatment
3) Vitamins and Minerals
If your nails are weak, brittle, or have ridges, you might need a supplement. Nutrient deficiencies often show up in the nails as shape or texture changes. Find a supplement that is specifically formulated for the skin, hair, and nails. Examples include:
- Biotin
- Other B vitamins like folate (B9) and B12
- Iron (together with vitamin C)
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Omega-3 fatty acids
4) Shorter is Better
Long nails are difficult to manage and harbor more bacteria. They are also prone to breaking and tearing. Keeping your nails short and neatly trimmed, with a cute French Mani, is definitely the way to go.
5) Don’t Be a Biter
This nervous, bad habit has a detrimental effect on your nails. You can cause infections of the nail tissue, as well as abnormal growth of the nail. Avoid biting your nails, by using a moisturizer or special nail polish which tastes bad.
6) Do Not Rip or Tear Hangnails
Hangnails can be extremely annoying and painful. Hangnails are generally caused by very dry, damaged skin. The trick here is to once again moisturize. Putting on a good cream and wearing gloves overnight can help tremendously. Pulling or ripping the hangnail will only make it worse and puts you at risk of infection.
7) Stay Dry
Bacteria thrive in warm, moist conditions, so when you wash your hands, make sure they are properly dry. Make sure you wear gloves when you are doing household chores and working in damp, wet areas.
8) Avoid Cleaning Products
This is a big one, and many people don’t think about it. Harsh detergents and chemicals ruin your skin and nails. They can strip the natural oils, and cause the nails to become dry and brittle. If you need to use a cleaning product, use household gloves to avoid direct contact.
9) Be Gentle
We are so used to washing and sanitizing all the time these days. The overuse of soaps and alcohol-based sanitizers is making our nails dry, brittle, and weak. Try to find a gentle soap, with naturally moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or aloe vera. Use moisturizers and hand creams that contain hydrating ingredients.
Nails at Imagique Salon Suites
The above tips will go a long way towards improving your nails, and if you want an intensive pampering session to give you that instant boost, then Imagique Salon Suites is the place to be. Contact us to find out more about leasing a nail salon suite in the North Dallas area.