Nails are a rather overlooked part of our bodies. Unless it comes to manicures or polishing our nails or cutting them when they get impractically long, we don't think much about our nails, will we? Believe it or not, taking care of your nails is super important, because it reflects the overall health of the body. This is why you need to check out certain nail care tips, which go much beyond a manicure every now and then.
Even though they might seem nondescript, your nails really are a very important part of your body. The color, texture, nature of your nails can tell you a lot about the underlying problems that your body may be harboring. The nerve ending which are found in your nails are linked to places like your liver, pancreas, stomach, heart, lungs, etc. Strange discoloration, bumps, wrinkles or ridges, is definitely an indication of a much larger condition in your body. The whole point is- Focus on YOUR NAILS!
On a lighter note, your nails will also be an imperative part of your beauty routine, much more in recent times, when nail art and nail trends like gel nails and chrome nails and magnetic nails have taken over the market. However, you are not going to be able to flaunt these trends with ease and grace, unless you have a strong and healthy foundation to work on. When you take care of your nails, everything looks infinitely better, regardless of what kind of style you have an interest in.
Common Problems That Affect Nails
These were a few of the reasons why you should take care of your nails regularly. However, some other problems might also occur in your nails if you do not take care of them, or because of other health problems. These require some serious attention.
Examples of common problems and ailments that you might notice in your nails include:
- Eczema and psoriasis inside your nails
- Ingrown nails
- Infection
- Brittle nails
- Cracked nails
- Yellowed nails
- Nail fungus
- Hemorrhage under the nail plate
- Nail layering or onychoschizia
- Vertical ridging
- Hangnails
- White streaks and spots in nails
- Thickening nail
Simple Nail Care Tips You are able to Practice At Home
I cannot stress the significance of taking care of your nails enough. Just like you take time out to care for your skin and your face and your hair, you also have to take time out to care for the nails on your hands and feet, not only to have healthy nails throughout your life, but also to maintain the standard of health for your body in general.
Thankfully, getting a manicure is not the solution to having healthy, bright and firm nails. You can do a bunch of things at home, which are more effective than a manicure. All the steps that I am going to jot down for you below are simple, easy, affordable and efficient. Most of these pointers consist of easy and basic lifestyle changes that you can make, so we don't damage your nails. However, do not be fooled by how simple these steps are. Whenever you follow these steps on a regular basis, you could be doing your nails and your body an excellent favor.
So without further ado, here are some tips for nail care that you can practice at home, to get healthy nails, and keep diseases, infections and ailments at bay.
1. Clean and exfoliate
Exfoliation is something that you usually don't associate with your nails. However, it is a rookie mistake that you are making if you don't regularly clean and exfoliate the area around your nails. The skin is constantly shedding cells, much like your nails. These dead cells in many cases are found in the dirt that accumulates in your nails and clogs the pores around your nails.
The the easy way exfoliate your nails and the area surrounding it is by applying a small amount of mild soap to a toothbrush, and brushing your nails and fingertips with it. The soap cleans the region, while the toothbrush gets rid of any dead cells that may have accumulate in your nails as well as on your skin.
2. Take time out to dry your nails
Wet nails are more dangerous for the general health of the nails, than you realize. Wet nails create problems such as brittleness, layering and yellowing nails. When water is accumulated under your nails, it also creates an environment conducive to the growth of germs and infection.
Use a cotton bud or perhaps a soft tower or a cotton handkerchief to dry out your nails after you have washed your nails, or after you have dealt with damp or wet things. Drying out your nails properly go a long way in protecting your nails from damage.
3. Clip your nails regularly
You have to prioritize the health of your nails, within the length. There is no point to growing your nails if they are unhealthy and unsightly. Just like you need to trim your hair from time to time to keep it healthy, you also have to deal with nails in a similar way, by trimming it regularly.
Make sure you utilize a clean clipper, every time you cut your nails. It is also best if your cut your nails straight, rather than in a pointy fashion (that's out of style, anyway). That way, your nails will re-grow infinitely healthier and stronger.
4. Wash both hands with lukewarm water
Inserting your hands in water that is hot or too cold can have a disastrous effect on your nails. The vast improvement in temperature from your body temperature can damage your nail tissue, and make it soft, brittle and susceptible to attack from bacteria and germs.
If you are going to have to work with water that have an extreme temperature, try to protect both hands and your nails as best as possible, either by applying a base coat of protective polish on your nails, or by wearing gloves.
5. Don't mess with your cuticles
Your cuticles are the tiny bit of projectile skin that you simply find at the base of every of your nails. It is a very important part of your nail health and hand health, which people have a bad habit of fidgeting with. Doctors suggest that it is best if your leave your cuticles alone, because it serves vital protective functions for the nails. If you cut your cuticles, you dry up your nails and leave it exposed to attacks from infections.
From time to time, you can push your cuticles back after they have softened (usually once you take a bath) and massage it with cream or special cuticle moisturizers, to ensure they are healthy.
Nail Nutrition
Apart from making changes in lifestyle and taking care of your nails by not doing certain things, there are a few other things you can do to make sure that your nails are in top shape at all times. Sometimes, problems inside your nails can occur not only due to external, environmental factors, but additionally because of the lack of nutrition in your body. Your nails are made of tissues, which require certain nutrients in which to stay prime health, which is why I've compiled for you a list of nutrients that you need for the good health of your nails, and the common food items in which you will find these nutrients!
1. Biotin
Biotin is a type of Vitamin, also is known as Vitamin H. it's responsible for the production of keratin in the body, which is the main constituent of your nails, hair and your skin. It is a fibrous protein which you require in sufficient amounts, if you want healthy cells to keep replacing the dead and ineffective cells in your nails.
Biotin is present in abundance in foods like eggs, legumes, whole grain products, fish, nuts, and a host of fruit and green vegetables.
2. Protein
Your nails are almost entirely made from fibrous proteins, which is essentially keratin, so consuming the protein present in food naturally not only helps increase the production of keratin in your body for healthier nails, but also makes your nails strong and resistant to breakdown and diseases.
Protein is naturally found in a number of food items for example milk and all other milk products, chicken, eggs, seeds, green leafy vegetables, seeds, legumes and almost all nuts.
3. Nettle tea
Nettle tea has been utilized since ancient times to cure a number of health problems, and it is also known for strengthening nails to some great extent. Nettle tea is loaded with essential minerals, which are required for the proper growth and regeneration of your nails.
You can make nettle tea by boiling a tablespoon of dried nettle leaves in a cup of water, and consuming that every alternate day.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a rich natural source of water, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and also Vitamin H and B17, which are also known as Biotin. All these are essential components required by your nail to function properly, and prevent diseases from attacking your nails.
Tomatoes are also useful for brittle and dehydrated nails, because the combination of high water content and vitamins and minerals makes it a wonder food for nails.
Nail Masks For Healthy Nails
We have learnt about general nail care tips and also the various foods and nutrients you are able to consume when you want to take care of your nails. However, if we are eating stuff for our nails, and not doing certain things to our nails, it does not really feel like an active initiative for nail care, will it?
There are a number of topical methods which you can make use of at home, which is like a natural manicure for your nails. These are wonderful natural things that you are able to apply directly to your nails to have an immediately improvement in the quality and nature of the nails. Here are a few nails masks independent ingredients that you can use, when taking care of your nails.
1. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is really a natural disinfectant, and has important minerals which strengthen your nails. Massage your nails with tea tree oil, which you'll also mix with a teaspoon of essential olive oil for extra strength.
2. Coconut oil
When it comes to restoring life to your nails, strengthening your nails, hydrating your nails and treating any underlying problems inside your nails all at the same time, nothing works more effectively than coconut oil. This tropical remedy is one of the most natural and effective ways of handling your nails, with minimal effort.
Simple massage both hands with coconut oil, and you'll see the change from Day 1.
3. Lemon and essential olive oil
Both of these moisturize, strengthen and restore health for your damaged and discolored nails, and remove any residual buildup. Submerge your nails in a solution made of 3 tablespoons essential olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and let the solution work its magic.
4. Orange juice
Orange juice provides your nails with a host of antioxidants, which is also rich in Vitamin C, which will help improve the health of your nails drastically. Soak your nails in fresh orange juice mixed with a little olive oil or E vitamin oil every day for Ten minutes to take care of your nails in the best way possible.
5. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar strengthens your nails and removes any microbes that have the potential to cause breakdown of nail tissue along with other infections. Soak your nails in apple cider vinegar once a day, and see the difference within a couple of days.
The fingernail care tips mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg, with regards to the number of things that you can do to deal with your nails. However, the important thing is, you have to take care of your nails to begin with, and if you don't know where to start, this should serve as an efficient guide!