When talking about taking care of nails, we automatically think about going to the manicure. But it’s something far beyond always wearing nail polish and having your appointment at the salon every week.
In this post you will learn 15 simple care tips, how not to bite your nails, even other habits that can be adopted to ensure that your nails are always beautiful, strong and healthy. Read on!
Moisturize your nails
One of the habits that help with nail care is to always keep them hydrated. Ideally, it should be done daily, but if this is not possible, at least once a week moisturize your nails and cuticles. It will make your nails stronger.
To do this, apply specific products, such as hand creams based on urea, grape seed oil, mineral oil, almond oil, lanolin or silicone.
Don’t remove all the cuticle
The cuticle is there for a very important reason. Its function is to protect nails from bacterial or fungal infections. Thus, the ideal is not to take it out. But if you are very keen, at least don’t take it all off.
That’s because the less you remove, the less you need to remove, since if you don’t remove the cuticle, it gets thinner and thinner.
Avoid moisture
Excess moisture is very harmful for the health of the nails, as this is a favorable environment for the growth of fungi and bacteria. That’s why it’s important to dry them very well after soaking them in the shower, washing your hands or refreshing yourself in the pool.
Also, the time of contact with water cannot be too long, as it may end up weakening the nails.
Wear gloves for housework
Most of the products we use to carry out household tasks are harmful to nails, because they contain chemical substances that attack them.
Therefore, it is necessary to use gloves or, if you cannot, wash your hands very well with neutral soap after using these products.
But beware of those gloves that have powder on the inside, as it dries out your nails. In this case, after using them, wash your hands well and moisturize them.
Take care of food
Another way is to take care of the inside out. The nail is a reflection of our health, that is, if there is some kind of nutritional deficiency, it will affect it.
With that, try to have a healthy diet, so you will have stronger nails with proper growth.
Have your own stuff
When it comes to manicures or pedicures, ideally you should have your own supplies (sandpaper, pliers, spatulas, etc.). Only that way can you make sure they are clean.
Otherwise, look for places that sterilize and use disposable products. That way, you can avoid diseases such as hepatitis.
Respect the shape of the nail
When filing your nails, you must respect their natural shape to reduce the chances of breaking and not growing.
Also, be careful when cutting the corners of your nails. Depending on how much you cut it, it may grow into a different shape and thus end up jammed.
Don’t eat your nails
The act of biting nails damages both beauty and can end up forming grooves and other deformations on the surface in the long term.
It turns out that saliva is acidic, which affects the health of the nails, especially after they have been done, as that is when they are most fragile.
Don’t use nails as tools
If you regularly use your fingernails to peel off sticky tape, scrape off can labels, peel off a sticker, remove foil staples, clean up clingy bits, or loosen screws, it’s time to stop doing all that.
Nails weren’t meant to be tools and when you use them that way, they end up weakening and breaking easier.
Always have sandpaper in your bag
When a nail breaks, the ideal is to file it. And, as small accidents always happen, it’s important that you always have sandpaper within reach, even if it’s a small one.
Take a break between nail polishes
It is common to be satisfied with a nail polish that lasts a long time on the nails without peeling. However, try not to leave the same nail polish on the nails for too long – after all, it is recommended that they have some time without the product, to “breathe”.
The enamelling process harms the nails. Ideally, after removing the nail polish, the nails should rest for some time. Manicurist Heloiza Gomes recommends that this time be at least 12 hours.
Do not pull the cuticle skin
Even if it’s bothering you, it shouldn’t pull any skin or pull the scales off your nails. This attacks the cuticles and nails.
Don’t wear shoes that squeeze your feet
In addition to discomfort, tight shoes hurt your toenails by keeping them pressed together. Some of the problems that this can cause are ingrown nails or subungual hematoma (black nail), the latter of which can even lead to detachment of the nail.
Previra nail polish remover
As acetone is based on alcohol, it is more aggressive compared to other removers and, as a result, ends up drying the nails. Therefore, prefer to use nail polish remover that does not have acetone in its formulation.
Some beneficial supplements
Last but not least, there are some natural supplements that help restore and care for your nails as well as your skin and hair. Are they:
- Brewer’s yeast or nutritional
- liquid organic silicon
- Spirulina
- Linseed oil
- Oil of Primula
- Biotin
