Strong, beautiful fingernails not only look good on your hand, they are a sign of good health. Because some conditions, such as heart or kidney disease, can change the color of nails, it is important to pay close attention to the health of your nails. Nails are actually hardened skin cells that protect and support the tissues in the fingers and toes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Using good nail care practices can help ensure that your nails stay strong and healthy.
Step 1
Apply moisturizer to every surface of your hands and feet, including the nails. Because nails are skin cells, they need moisturizer just as much as other skin surfaces do.
Step 2
Use rubber gloves when washing dishes or performing other wet tasks. If rubber gloves aren’t available, dry nails completely to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungus under the nails. Dry feet well to prevent the growth of microorganisms under toenails.
Step 3
Use nail scissors or clippers to cut nails. Avoid biting nails. MayoClinic.com reports that biting nails can damage the nail bed. Biting nails or picking at cuticles can also cause small cuts that may become infected.
Step 4
Trim nails regularly. Cut nails straight across and round the edges with an emery board. Rounding the tips of nails helps strengthen nails, while filing nails into points weakens them, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Step 5
Apply a nail strengthener and growth formula product to your nails if they tend to break easily. Health Guidance suggests applying a thin coat to the nails daily while growing out nails. Use the nail strengthener and growth formula before and after applying nail polish for added strength.
Step 6
Gently push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher if cuticles begin to grow over the nails. The cuticle is the soft layer of skin that grows at the base of the nails. Soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes before you use a cuticle pusher. When cuticles grow too far over the nails, the nails may not receive sufficient oxygen needed for maximum growth.
Tips and Warnings
- Health Guidance recommends trimming brittle nails after a bath or soaking the hands in bath oil for 15 minutes before cutting. Soaking the nails before trimming decreases the chance that brittle nails will split when you cut them. Eating gelatin or taking vitamins won’t affect nail growth or strength, but taking 2.5 mg of biotin every day might increase nail thickness, according to MayoClinic.com.
- Avoid using your fingernails as tools if you want to keep them looking their best. Don’t scrape off a price tag with a fingernail or pry open a taped box if you don’t want to risk a broken nail. See your doctor if your nails change color. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that a heart condition can turn nails red, diabetes can turn nails yellow and liver disease can make nails abnormally white.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
- Rubber gloves
- Nail scissors or clippers
- Emery board
- Nail strengthener and growth formula
- Cuticle pusher
- Biotin
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