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Nail health care tips

Updated on April 7, 2013

Q: Should I worry if my nails are slightly yellow?

Usually, health problems inadvertently affect your nails. Therefore, the state of your nails is actually very important as it is indicating your overall health. However, if it is the yellow tinge that is bothering you, it could be the stain of your nail polish.

Thus, always use a base coat before applying your nail polish

O.P.I Nail Base Coat

Q: What Can I Do To Clean Stained Nails?

First, dip a cotton pad in lemon juice and rub it on your nails. The citric acid from the natural lemon juice works as a natural bleaching agent. Secondly, rest your nails for 10 minutes. Finally, rinse them with water and TADA!!, here comes your gorgeous nails.

Q: How can I tell if my nails are strong and healthy?

Nails that are smooth in pink with slightly raised in the middle before curving to the tip. Strong nails does not peel or break easily, even after long hours of bath or washing.

Q: Do nails need moisturizing?

Yes, of course! Just like your skin, nails are needed to be properly moisturized too. Dehydrated nails are brittle and are prone to breakage. Make it a ritual every night to apply petroleum jelly, olive oil or Vitamin E-enriched lotion to your cuticles before you go to bed.

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Nail & Cuticle theraphy

Q: How long can I leave nail polish on for?

10 days, at the very longest duration. Any longer and you will be suffocating your nail bed. Nails need to breathe too. Between manicures, always give them at least a 24 hours nail polish-free before reapplying,

Q: What caused the white spots on my nails?

Sometimes if you are seriously ill, your nails might stop growing. When this happens, a white mark forms at the stoppage point. However, when you recover, your nails will grow again. This is the time where the white spots become more obvious as your nails grow out. Do take not that persistent spots could also be a sign of zinc deficiency or one of the symptoms to having nail fungus.

Q: Are acrylic or gel nails harmful to my natural nails?

Theologically, they will not harm your natural nails. However, there will be risk of damage towards your nail plate when they are removed. Besides allowing your natural nails to deprive for air and light, the space between them becomes a breeding ground for nail fungus and infection. This infection may be difficult to treat and may recur. But medications are always available to clear up the nail fungus.

File & Buff Nails

Do I need to buff and file my nails even if I'm not painting them?

It is advisable that you do. This is because buffing the surface of your nails actually stimulates the blood circulation and this enhances nail growth. Remember to NOT file them right after shower & always file them in one direction.

Q: What can I do to make my nails grow faster?

Just so you know, our finger nails grow 4 times faster than our toe nails. And your middle finger of your dominant hand grows the fastest. Here are the few ways you can try to make your nails grow faster

  1. Cutting often - Fresh cut nails grow faster
  2. Keep your hands warm - nails grow faster in warm climates and during the day
  3. Light trauma - typing on a keyboard encourages nails to grow as it acts like a massage.
  4. Here's the odd one: Rub garlic on your nails - Leave on fingernails for a half hour and then rinse. Rub a lemon on your fingers to remove the garlic smell.
  5. File your nails often - As mentioned above, filing your nails stimulate your blood circulation and this will make your nails grow faster.
  6. Last but not least, check your nutritional habits to maintain good health.

Q: What's the right nail shape for my fingers?

Look at the lunula or half-moon on your nail bed. If it's more curved, try a rounded shape. If it's flat, try a squoval (straight at he side and rounded at the top) or square shape. For short nails, rounded shapes generally work best.

Q: Why do my nails keep breaking?

Excessive exposure to water can soften your cuticles and causing them to break easily. Do always keep them dry and moisturized. You can also make your nails water-resistant by coating them with a clear nail hardener or use nail oil to protect them from breaking. Consistent manicures may also lead to chipped nails.

Micro Cell 2000 Nail Wonder Clear Coat

Q: Is it better to leave nails free of polish or apply at least a clear coat?

A clear coat is advisable as it will maintain your nails to be water-resistant.

Q: What is the right way to cut my toe nails?

  1. Do NOT use scissors - You toe nails are too hard for that. Use toe-nail clippers would be the best.
  2. Cut them into the shape of square. - Try not to round them off as it will cause ingrown nails.
  3. File & buff to prevent chipping & breakage.

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