11 Things You Need To Know For Healthy Nails

Nails are more than just decoration — they're an important part of your body that need care and attention. Neglecting them could lead to ugly yellowing, brittleness, or even some health issues. If you take the time to care for them, you'll be rewarded with the natural nail beauty that so many people try to pay for.

Cuticle Care

Don’t chew or cut your cuticles; take care of them. These actions will break down their material and leave your nails susceptible to bacteria. If they seem to be too high on your nails, you can simply push your cuticles back. Also, be sure to keep them moisturized.

Don’t Over-Buffer

Buffering is a great way to get shiny nails that look great, but the constant friction is actually bad for the health of your nails. Buffer on occasion, but try no to do it too often, as it will leave your nails weak after too long.

Don’t Share

When it comes to your nail file, clipper, and other nail care tools, sharing is not caring. These appliances can harbor tons of germs, and passing them around between friends only makes that risk worse. Keep them to yourself, and try sterilizing or replacing them every so often.

File In One Direction

Always file your nails in the same direction to avoid prevent any tearing. The process will also leave your nails look much cleaner and is best for achieving the healthy “squoval” or oval shape that won’t break.

Gel Manicures Are Okay

Many people think that gel manicures will dry and break your nails, and they have been known to, but you should be fine as long as you take care of your nails between applications. Just be sure to keep your cuticles hydrated if you decide to get a gel manicure.

Dangerous Soaking

Soaking your nails after a manicure isn’t always the best move. It could lead to actually drying out your cuticles and even losing the color earlier. If you do want to soak your nails, make sure to moisturize them before and after the soak.

Biotin Could Help

The supplement Biotin has been said to aid in strengthening nails, but it has no scientific backing yet. It’s believed to work due to the fact that it helps reform keratin in nails and hair. Since it can cause an overdose if misused, you should check with your doctor before using it.

The Glitter Dilemma

Glittery nail polish is nearly impossible to fully remove without some harmful manual picking and peeling. If you don’t want to just avoid the sparkle altogether, you can use the foil method to safely remove the stubborn polish. Simply soak a cotton ball in acetone or nail polish remover, place it on your nail, and then wrap it in tin foil. In 5 to 10 minutes, your nail will be glitter-free!

The Right Shoe

It’s important that you choose to wear shoes that fit you comfortably. Forcing your feet into ill-fitted shoes can foster ingrown toenails by forcing your toes into cramped, hard spaces. Not only are ingrown nails unattractive, but they are also painful and prone to infection.

Use Polish Remover Sparingly

It may be tempting to try new nail colors frequently, but constantly using nail polish remover can be very damaging. Overuse can cause dry and yellow nails. Try to limit remover use to once a week at most, and look into non-toxic and non-acetone removers for a slightly more healthful process.

The Vinegar Trick

You can make your manicures last longer with the help of some simple vinegar. Just swipe some over your nails after washing and moisturizing them for a more lasting gleam. The vinegar will remove the oils in your nails that cause polish to not stay on as long as it could.