The Utmost Nail Care - DOs and DONTs

10 Do's and Don'ts for Healthy Nails,

According to a dermatologist, during a TV interview, the nails are good indicators of your health status. If you see ridges, discolouration and dents, that could indicate an underlying medical condition. To keep nails healthy and strong looking, you must practise good hygiene and get regular nail care at Nails St Albans. Several undesirable nail conditions are prevented if proper nail care is practised. For more complicated nail conditions, it is best to seek the help of a health professional.

What to do to keep nails looking their best:

• Keep your nails clean and dry to avoid bacteria breeding under your nails. Split fingernails are caused by frequent and persistent contact with water. Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes, using harsh chemicals or cleaning house.
• Practise excellent nail care. Use sharp clippers or manicure scissors when cutting nails. Trim the nails straight across then curve the tips gently into a rounded shape.
• Moisturise regularly. Pamper hands and nails by applying hand lotion regularly. Rub lotion into the nails and cuticles.
• Brush on a protective layer of nail hardener. This will help in making nails strong.
• Ask doctor about biotin. According to research, biotin helps in strengthening brittle and weak fingernails. It’s a nutritional supplement you should ask your doctor about.

What you shouldn’t do:

• Biting and picking at your fingernails and cuticles. Bad habits like these could damage your nail beds. Minor cuts along the fingernails can lead to fungal or bacterial infections.
• Pulling out hangnails. Don’t rip off excess skin from your fingernails. It’s a live tissue that goes with the hangnail. Just carefully clip it off.
• Ignoring nail issues. A persistent nail problem may be a sign or symptom of a bigger health issue. Consult a doctor or your dermatologist for assessment.
• Using harsh products for nail care. Use nail polish remover sparingly. Choose an acetone-free formula instead.

How can you tell if your nails are normal?

Nails are made of keratin which is several laminated layers of protein. These grow from the base of the nail beds found under your cuticle. Fingernails are healthy if they are smooth, without any pits or grooves. Their colour and consistency is normal and there are no spots or discolorations.

Once in a while, the fingernails may develop vertical ridges that may run from the cuticle to the edge of the nail and this is harmless. These ridges become more visible with age. Nails can also develop spots or white lines because of injury but eventually these will grow out.

Check your nails and if you see any of the conditions below, consult your doctor at once.

• There are changes in your nail color. The entire nail is discoloured or there is a dark streak underneath the nail. These could indicate liver or kidney problems. Dark streaks might be a fungal infection.
• The nail has a change in shape like curled nails. This could also indicate fungal infections.
• The nail is either thinning or thickening. This indicates hormonal changes and vitamin deficiency.
• The nail is separating from the surrounding skin
• There is bleeding around your nails. You may have overlooked a small cut or wound around the nail. Treat it immediately to avoid further infection.
• There is pain and swelling around your nails. This could indicate internal infections like ingrown nails, abscess or embedded dry skin.

A footnote about Manis and Pedis

Keep these in mind if you are relying on pedicures and manicures in keeping your nails healthy. Salons like Nails Finchley, that show they are licensed by the state and only allow a state licensed nail technicians to work on your nails. To avoid nail infection, don’t remove the cuticles around your nails. Make sure that the licensed nail technician uses properly sterilised tools before using them for the procedure to prevent any infection from spreading.

Ask how the foot bath is being sanitised. If the salon uses a bleach solution in between servicing clients and cleans the filters regularly, then they are following the sanitary standards.

Nails can easily be neglected but just by following the simple steps in nail care, you can make your fingernails durable and healthy.

Taking care of your hands and nails is part of the package in keeping yourself beautiful. Consistent practise of proper nail care with the help of expert care of nail technicians, you can maintain the gorgeous look of your nails. Book your visit @ The Cove Spa, nearest of your location.

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