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How do I Improve Fingernail Health?
Maintaining fingernail health as well as the appearance of the fingernails is an important part of daily personal hygiene. Healthy nails that have been well cared for always make a person look more put together and professional. One of the best ways to improve fingernail health is to eat a healthy diet with enough protein, calcium, and vitamins. Nails need a balanced diet to thrive, just like the rest of your body.
Supplement your diet with calcium and biotin, two nutrients that nails need to be strong. Fingernail health then comes from the way you maintain and care for your nails. It is best to clip them and file them to a rounded edge; remember to only file in one direction, not in a see-sawing motion. This type of motion could weaken the nail, and make it more prone to splitting and cracking.
Gently clean under the nail tip, but do not scrape down too far, and make sure not to cause any scratches or cuts underneath the nail bed. In addition, it is best to push the cuticles back by first soaking them in warm water, then gently pressing with an orange stick. Again, do not press too far, do not make any cuts, and do not clip the cuticles off. Cuticles are a necessary part of the nail, and they help to prevent injury and infection from occurring in the nail bed.
If you choose to paint your nails, remember to remove the polish every few weeks to give the nails time to breathe. In addition, if you choose to use dark colors, a nail polish base coat may be able to prevent the color from staining the nail. Though stained nails do not really affect fingernail health, they can certainly give nails an unattractive appearance. If you wear fake nails, remove them regularly and check to make sure your nails are not peeling, flaking, or turning green; these could all be indicators of a fungal or bacterial infection. Be sure a manicurist sterilizes instruments thoroughly, or just bring your own.
Other ways to improve fingernail health are quite simple. Wash the hands regularly, and apply moisturizer morning and night to the hands, nails, and cuticles. Do not pick or bite the nails; this can cause the nail and the cuticle to tear, which could cause infection. Finally, if you notice marked changes in the health of your fingernails, and it does not improve, it may be necessary to visit a dermatologist to rule out any underlying medical causes.
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![Wearing fake nails may affect fingernail health.]()
Wearing fake nails may affect fingernail health. -
![Exposing the nails to polish remover regularly can weaken them.]()
By: travis manleyExposing the nails to polish remover regularly can weaken them. -
![Eating healthy foods promotes fingernail health.]()
By: triskelantEating healthy foods promotes fingernail health. -
![A small amount of olive oil applied to the cuticles can improve their overall health.]()
By: margo555A small amount of olive oil applied to the cuticles can improve their overall health. -
![Applying moisturizer to the hands at night will help to keep nails healthy and strong.]()
By: StockPhotosArtApplying moisturizer to the hands at night will help to keep nails healthy and strong. -
![Some people find that nail polish helps improve the health of their nails.]()
By: larisabozhikovaSome people find that nail polish helps improve the health of their nails. -
![An orange stick may be used to gently push back cuticles.]()
By: Valua VitalyAn orange stick may be used to gently push back cuticles. -
![To avoid weakening the nail, it should be filed in only one direction, instead of using a sea-saw motion.]()
By: terexTo avoid weakening the nail, it should be filed in only one direction, instead of using a sea-saw motion. -
![Removing polish every few weeks gives fingernails time to breathe.]()
By: AllianceRemoving polish every few weeks gives fingernails time to breathe.
Discussion Comments
My cuticles are ragged from frequent hand washing, and Lady Soma's Skin and Nail Treatment is just perfect for me! Since using this, my cuticles and nails are in much better shape. Ladies, I recommend it.
The best time to work with your fingernails is after a bath or shower. They will be soft and pliable and much easier to work with - especially if you have hard, strong nails.
The glue used when putting on artificial nails really can be hard on your natural nails, so make sure you give them a break every now and again. I notice a big difference when I go without artificial nails for awhile. This is hard to do once you get used to the look and feel of them, but is best for your overall nail health.
I have pretty strong nails, but the worst part about this is that I use them for things I shouldn't. Instead of getting a knife or pair of scissors for something, I will just use my fingernails. I am constantly using them as scrapers too.
Because my finger nails are strong, I don't usually have any problems, but once in awhile they will break off or get a jagged edge and I will file them down. I like to keep them all the same length, so when this happens I will cut them down and let them start growing again.
If you go to a nail salon on a regular basis, one of the most important things to remember is the quality of the salon. I have known people who have gotten nail infections after getting their nails done.
Our nail health is an important part of our general health, so keeping healthy nails is important. It seems like I have more problems with my cuticles than anything. If I get in the habit of using a cuticle cream on them every week to keep them soft then I don't have as many problems.
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