How to Care for Nails? Check Out Our Tricks and Tips

If you want to take care of your nails, start by avoiding the use of acrylic nails and treating the dry skin on your fingers and hands. We'll show you lots of tips which can help you to improve the health of your nails.

Taking care of your nails is the perfect way to show off beautiful hands, and this goes beyond getting a manicure once a week. While it’s true that there’s no precise formula to ensure your nails don’t break, there are several natural measures to help strengthen them.

Healthy nails go beyond cosmetic benefits, they’re essential in order for you to carry out your daily tasks successfully. By strengthening them, you can prevent a possible leakage of germs and give you a better grip. In addition, they can serve as an indication of good general health.

12 tips and tricks to take care of your nails

The health and vitality of your nails can be compromised by several factors such as the immune system, frequent use of certain products, poor diet, and other factors related to lifestyle. We’re now going to have a look at some tips that will help you to look after your nails and strengthen them at the same time.n

1. Prevent or treat dry skin on your fingers

If the skin around the nail bed or matrix is dry and brittle, then it may open and bleed. There are even cases where this can become infected, and create a pocket of pus.

This will undoubtedly affect the growth and condition of your nails, and so it’s recommended that you moisten your hands, and then dry them and apply a moisturizing cream specifically for this part of your hands.

Then, soak a cotton pad with almond or coconut oil and rub the tips of your fingers on both hands. Try repeating this procedure several times a day or every time you wash your hands.

2. Have proper nutrition to take care of your nails

Our daily nutrition is the key to healthy skin, healthy hair and, of course, this will also have a knock-on effect on the health and strength of your nails. It is shown that biotin, for example, is a necessary vitamin that helps keep your nervous system, hair, and nails in a healthy condition.

This type of vitamin B is found naturally in some foods such as legumes, bananas, cauliflower, eggs, and salmon. However, if you want to take it through supplements, despite it being an over-the-counter drug, you should check with your GP first.

Other food related to strengthening nails are those rich in calcium and protein. A study published in Nutrients suggested that there’s a link between nail health and collagen peptides, which is known to be a versatile source of protein.

3. Hydrate your body

If you’re someone who drinks very little water, then this could be one of the reasons for your brittle and dry nails. What your body does is to keep your body’s vital organs hydrated with the water you supply it with, leaving other parts of your body, like your nails, last in line.

So, it’s vital for you to gradually, but constantly, increase your daily intake of water. Don’t ignore your body’s demands when it’s thirsty. Get a thermos of water and carry it with you at all times. Try to replace sugary drinks with natural water. In addition to this, a good practice is to accompany your meals with water instead of other drinks.

4. Avoid using gel or acrylic nails

The chemicals used to apply false nails to your real nails are usually very abrasive. So much so, that they cause your nails to detach from the nail bed, as well as causing burning, dryness, peeling, pain, or allergies in that area.

In addition to that, experts associated with the Skin Cancer Foundation state that the ultraviolet light used to dry acrylic or gel on false nails carries a real risk of developing skin cancer or premature aging.

Read the label of your nail polish remover, nail polish, and other products, because some have toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, which makes it easy for your nails to become brittle and soft, and can even poison you.

5. Don’t use your nails as tools

Using your nails as tools can cause your nails to break and chip, so you should avoid using them to open envelopes, cans, or peel off gum, for example. Just try using your fingertips or a tool. Remember that the role of nails is to protect the skin under them.

6. Keep your nails short

This reduces the risk of them getting caught in an object, meaning they’re less likely to break or crack. In addition, having short nails helps you keep them strong.

7. Beware of the excessive use of hand sanitizer

The alcohol contained in these gels can dehydrate the hands, causing flaking and cracking of the skin. Because of this, its indiscriminate use as a substitute for handwashing with water is not recommended.

8. Put on gloves every time you use cleaning products

Some cleaning products can be very abrasive and cause potential damage to your nails and hands in general, a situation that can be avoided with the use of rubber gloves.

9. Avoid prolonged contact of your hands with water

To take care of your nails, it’s recommended that you keep your hands out of the sink, or, alternatively, that you wear rubber gloves. And if you do sports like swimming, when you get out of the pool, dry your hands and apply a moisturizing cream or oil. This will prevent your skin and nails from softening and cracking.

10. Use nail hardeners

Applying hardening polish about twice a week will help promote nail growth, and, over time, this will strengthen them to reduce the risk of breakage. Remember not to do it for long periods, as there is scientific evidence that daily use of hardeners could make your nails weaker and cause them to break.

11. Groom your nails regularly

Cleaning your nails reduces flaking, roughness and breakage. Try incorporating a home manicure into your routine, including straight-line cuts and filing for a rounded finish.

Scrub with a soft bristle brush underneath the nails to avoid accumulation of dirt and bacteria in that area. Remember to dry and moisturize them, paying special attention to the area where the cuticle is located.

12. Massage your hands and nails

By massaging your hands you’re promoting blood circulation to your nails, which can help you counteract their weakness. This is especially recommended if you have diabetes or any other disease that causes circulatory problems.

Tips and tricks to remember to take care of your nails

1. Healthy nails should be smooth and hard, their color should be uniform, and they should be free of grooves or flaking.
2. According to one study, liver and kidney diseases tend to cause nail changes such as weakening. However, the treatment you give to that area of your body also influences.
3. It’s recommended that you see a doctor if, after undergoing a care regimen for some time, your nails don’t strengthen. If you suffer from eczema, then you may require medication and professional measures.
4. Don’t forget to constantly apply the moisturizing lotion to your hands and gently rub the cuticles.
5. The use of acrylic or gel nails can destroy your nail matrix. If this should happen, then your nails won’t grow.
6. Avoid biting your nails, and cutting them to the point of exposing the skin underneath them. This, in addition to causing discomfort, could lead to an infection.
7. Don’t cut the cuticle, as this could damage the nail base that’s essential for healthy nail growth.

What do you think of all these recommendations? Without a doubt, today is the ideal time to start putting these tips into practice and showing yourself all the love and care that you deserve. If you have any additional questions about the health of your nails, then consult your trusted dermatologist.