We here at Love U Salon love nails, and are experts at making your fingernails and toenails look exceptional. However, for those periods in between manicures and pedicures you can take some simple steps to make sure your nails are in tip top condition.
We’ve come up with some handy hints to keep your nails looking as good as they can!
Don’t Bite
If you’re a habitual nail biter then now is the time to stop. There are many products on the market that you can paint on your fingernails to help you quit this habit. If you break or chip a nail, don’t rip the rest of the nail off with your teeth – get in the habit of carrying a nail file in your bag at all times.
Biting hang nails can lead to painful sores around the fingernails, clip any hang nails with nail scissors or clippers.
Go nude every now and again
Wearing nail polish all of the time can be quite damaging to the nail bed and doesn’t allow air to help the nail grow and regenerate healthily. Going a few days each month without any nail polish on your fingernails and toenails will help them get stronger, longer and better looking.
Moisturise
To prevent your nails from chipping and peeling it is essential to moisturise them. Using a regular hand cream and working it into the nails, surrounding skin and the cuticles will help to strengthen your nails. In cold weather use nail oil with vitamin E to protect your nails from the elements.
Once a month treat your fingernails and toenails, as well as your and hands and feet, to a deep moisturising session. Before going to bed, use your favourite hand or foot lotion, or even a petroleum jelly product such as Vaseline and generously rub into clean hands and feet. Before the cream has chance to be fully absorbed, pop on a pair of lightweight cotton gloves and cotton socks to sleep in. Your hands and feet will feel wondrously soft (this is great for helping to remove stubborn dry skin such as cracked heels if you apply the moisturiser after exfoliating the area) and your nails will have benefited from the treatment as well.
Have a professional manicure and pedicure
Not only are professionals great at painting fingernails and toenails and offer a wide range of manicures, they have a colour range that will surpass your own. They will also treat your hands and feet to salon quality products that will leave your hands and feet lovely and soft.
Correct filing and buffing of nails will prevent nails from splitting and breaking, which means your manicure will last much longer than if you had done the manicure or pedicure yourself.
Wear Gloves
Hot and cold extremes are the enemy of hands and feet, not only do they seriously dry the skin but they also damage the nails making them more susceptible to breaking or splitting. Always wear rubber gloves when doing the washing up and when you’re out in the harsh winter weather, slip your hands into a pair of soft gloves.
Wearing rubber gloves when dealing with harsh cleaning chemicals is also a must if you want your hands and nails to look their best.
Watch what you eat
A good diet leads to general good overall health and this includes the fingernails and toenails. Foods rich in iron and Vitamin C will ensure that your nails are healthy and strong.
Get abnormalities checked out
Discolouration, sudden weakness, pitting or any other changes in the appearance of your fingernails or toenails should be checked out by your GP, as it could be a sign of an underlying health problem or a skin complaint such as psoriasis.
