An Effective Guide For Healthy Nails
Nails are always unique and never fail to gain specific attention. To have long nails, decorate it with acrylic stuff, nail polish and keep growing it until it becomes a burden could be our nailcare routine. But is this the “routine” that we ought to follow? I don’t think so. Having healthy nails should be preferred to having decorated lengthy nails. Agree? Well, you might not agree. So, kindly read on to understand how crucial nail care could be and what healthy nails could do to you.
SIGNS OF HAVING HEALTHY NAILS
Just think of healthy nails. What do I mean by healthy nails? It is a part of our body that is evidently seen. Not just that, this also means it is exposed to sun, foreign objects and especially bacteria and fungi. So, how could you prevent, protect and work towards having healthy nails is discussed below. But let’s see how healthy nails look like:
1. Your nails have to maintain a uniform colour – it should be pinkish white in colour.
2. Your nails have to be smooth bereft of any ridges, dents and pits.
3. Proper nail shape has to be maintained.
4. More than anything, your nail has to stick to the nail bed and be intact.
5. The tips of your nails should be kept clean, no dirt of any sort should be accumulated there as it leads to serious infections.
SIGNS OF HAVING UNHEALTHY NAILS
If the points discussed above are not present, then it means you are likely to have unhealthy nails. When you think of something unhealthy, your attention will be immediately drawn by food. But unhealthy nails pertain to lot more other valid reason alongside unhealthy food habits. When I say unhealthy food habits, it signifies food that lacks in nutrition. Coming back to the signs of unhealthy nails, the following could be taken into account:
1. Bleeding nails: If it is hurt or the cuticles are damaged it directly results in bleeding nails.
2. If your nails are ripped off or hanging away from your nail bed, then its high time you give the importance that your nails require.
3. When you go in for manicure or pedicure process, either at home or at the parlour, the risk of chopping off your cuticle is high. But you should never do it, since the cuticle could act as a protective barrier for your nails.
4. If your nails possess dark-coloured streaks or if its swollen, the possibility of infection is quite high
5. Ridges, white spots, dents and even cuts resemble damaged nails. However, they all emerge out of different reasons such as frequent nail painting, biting your nails that has probably become a habit and so on.
WAYS TO PROTECT AND PREVENT
Since we have discussed the signs of healthy and unhealthy nails, its time to plunge into knowing what could keep you away from worsening the condition of your nail and start off with the habit of protect and caring for your nail thereby preventing it from getting affected by foreign objects any further.
1. KEEP IT DRY AND CLEAN
Washing your hands after getting home, post work-out or after completing any chores is a must. Clean your hands properly with a mild soap or handwash and wipe it off dry. In this way the dirt present inside the lengths of your nails will be removed. Keep your nails clean and dry at all costs. Possessing the dirt and impurities in your skin, hair and nail is the major cause for the biggest problems to arise.
2. DON’T BITE OR PICK YOUR NAILS
One of the unhealthiest habits is biting your nails. When you do so, you stand a chance of affecting your body by swallowing the impurities that are present in your nails. Secondly, you might rip off your cuticles that would result in bleeding or worse leaving you with serious infections. Hence, refrain from contacting your fingertips with your teeth.
3. REDUCE ACRYLIC EXTENSIONS
If you’re someone who is fond of decorating your nails by having frequent acrylic extensions. Kindly reduce it since your nails could become irritated and lead to serious allergies as well. Moreover, your nails are getting damaged. Anything is moderation is the key – always remember it.
4. MITIGATE THE USAGE OF NAIL POLISH REMOVER:
Nail polish can harm your nails and makes it weak and dry eventually causing it to break. If you want to remove it with a nail polish remover…keep in mind it can cause equal damage to your skin. Acetone present in your skin can result in dryness. Hydration is required for your body from head to toe so, nails are no exception.
5. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR CUTICLES
Your cuticles are the shield for your nails. If you keep removing it bacteria and fungi will easily penetrate your nails and settle beneath it. Just in case you are affected by fungal infections, your nail colour will slowly turn into dark brown or black, this discolourationsignifies that your nails are prone to damage. The nails will eventually come apart. But the infection might get across all your nails.
6. HYGIENIC PEDICURE AND MANICURE
Whether you carry out the process of manicure and or pedicure at home, never forget to clean the tools. Sterilization is the thumb rule before going in for cleaning process. Moreover, do not dig your nails with the tools as it will damage your nail bed as well. Hygienic measures have to be practiced everywhere.
7. CLIP YOUR NAILS
Cutting your nails has to be the primary duty of us at the start of a week. Make sure to keep it short and trim it around the edges. Not just for the sake of escaping infection, you could even harm your skin or scalp while massaging. Always use your fingertip not your nails to do such activities.
8. DON’T HARM YOUR NAILBED
Never harm your nail bed. The damage could arise due to different reasons. But to put it in a nutshell, unhealthy maintenance and lack of care given to your nail can lead to affected nail bed. Even if you are doing your dishes make sure to wear your gloves. This prevents your nails from getting soaked in water for a prolonged period. It results in drying of nails. Even cleaning agents can cause damage to your nails so prevent your nails by using rubber gloves.
NAIL CARE IS ESSENTIAL
When we talk about body care, it is never wise to exclude your nails. Beautify your nails but care for it. Keep them trimmed, clean and healthy. If any problem arises with respect to your nails, never hesitate to consult your dermatologist. Along with the aforementioned process, it is advisable to eat healthy food. Go in for nutritious protein rich food. Since, keratin is the integral part of your nails, protein can never be neglected.
