How to Take Care of Your Nails

Strong and healthy fingernails and toenails are a reflection of our overall health and appearance. Like our hair, skin, and teeth, nails need proper care and attention to stay in good condition. Here are the basic nail care tips you need to keep your fingernails and toenails in tip-top shape.

It is quite the maintenance, and with our busy schedules and daily tasks, it can be hard to keep up and we’re bound to quickly neglect our nails. Have no fear! We provided a couple of ways to take proper care of your nails and help them stand out!

Trim regularly

Keep nails short to prevent bacteria and dirt from accumulating underneath, and to limit the risk of long nails accidentally snagging or breaking. Use nail clippers to trim your nails to an even height. Leave a slight roundness at the tips and use a nail file to further shape and smooth the nails to remove uneven edges.

Quit biting or picking

Stop biting and peeling your nails, pinching your cuticles, and pulling hangnails. Even minor cuts and abrasions around your fingers allow infection-causing bacteria and fungi to enter your body. Nail biting is an especially unhealthy habit because your mouth is full of bacteria that spread when you bite your nails and then touch your face, other parts of your body, and surfaces.

Moisturize daily

After a bath or shower, moisten the skin around the nails to prevent dryness and keep the skin soft and supple. Don't forget to hydrate your cuticles too, because they can dry out just like other areas of the skin.

Wear gloves

Wear gloves when your hands are exposed to water, dirt, chemicals, and cold. This includes washing dishes, gardening, gardening, and cleaning the house. Frequent exposure to water increases the risk of splitting your nails, while chemicals can dry out, discolor, or damage your nails. Cold air and low humidity can dry out the cuticles and skin around your fingers, so wear thick gloves outside on cold winter days.

Remember: clean nails are happy nails! Be sure to regularly clean and disinfect tools (such as nail clippers) that you use for nail care, and replace disposable emery blades frequently.