Routine Nail-care and Maintenance

Trimming Filing Nail-polish Buffing cuticles hangnails nail-moisturizer

1. Trimming, Filing

It is preferred to keep nails short to prevent breakage. Trim nails to your preference. After trimming or a nail is broken, use an emery board to smooth out rough edges. Move emery board at 45º angle from the side to the center of the nail in one direction. Back and forth filing may dry out the nail, and the nail may crack and peel. Rounded nails, or nails shaped straight across the top with rounded or square corners are preferred to minimize likelihood of a nail to split. Do not use metal file, metal file may damage the nail.

2. Nail Polish, Buffing

Remove nail polish. Avoid nail polish removers that contain acetone or formaldehyde, they will deplete nails of their natural oils and make them dull and dry. Use cotton q-tip and stroke from the base to the tip of the nail. This prevents nail polish and polish removers from settling underneath the cuticle.
An alternative to polishing nail, is to buff your nails instead. Nail polish contains many chemicals that are absorbed by the nails, the nails become dry with a yellowish tinge. Apply olive oil or a buffing cream and buff across the top of the nails in one direction. Buffing stimulates blood circulation and leaves a glossy shine. The natural pink color of your nails shows through.

3. Cuticles Hangnails Cuticle-cream

Cuticle is the skin surrounding the nail. Gently push back cuticles with your fingertips. Use orange stick to remove dead cuticle skin and to clean under fingernails. Avoid cutting cuticles; cutting can lead to infection and clipped cuticles often grow back thicker
A hangnail is a small torn part of cuticle near the nail caused by dried out cuticles. As soon as a hangnail is noticed, it should be removed. Don't remove it by yanking or pulling it off. This could damage the skin and tissue, and lead to a painful infection called Paronychia. Gently cut hangnails off with nail-scissors, or nail-clippers. Apply, cuticle cream 3 times a day. For hangnails, you should also eat Vitamin C rich diet or take Vitamin C 500 mg tablets two times a day for one week.
The best cuticle creams are 'virgin coconut oil', or 'Almond oil'. Other options are: Lip-balm, Petroleum jelly, and Vitamin E. If there is fungal or infection, use a blend of 'tea-tree' and 'lavender oil'.

4. Don’t bite your nails.

Use bitter-tasting nail polish, or a paint. These are specially formulated products to help people quit the habit of biting nails

5. Don't use nails as tools

Don't use nails to type on a keyboard, press keys on the telephones, scratch the lottery tickets, pick, pluck, poke or pry.

6. Artificial Nails

If you have artificial nails, check regularly for green discoloration (a sign of bacterial infection).

7. Ingrown toenails

Don't dig out ingrown toenails. See a dermatologist if they become bothersome.

8. Keep your nails clean and dry

Do not dig dirt out with any hard object. Use soap, water and soft-bristle brush to remove under-nail dirt

9. Household cleaning jobs

Wear rubber or latex gloves to protect nails whenever doing household chores or washing dishes. Soap, detergents, and cleaning fluids can cause nails to swell. When they dry, they shrink, causing loose, brittle or splitting nails.
Never wear wet or moist gloves they might result in growth of fungus and bacteria.

10. Moisturizer Conditioner

Whole-milk yogurt is the best natural conditioner for your nails. The lactic acid and butterfat will help prevent cracking. Apply a dab of Dahi (Homemade yogurt with live culture) to your nails once a day and rub it in till its is absorbed.
You can purchase commercial hand moisturizer and apply to your nails and cuticles. You can make a very effective 'Hand and Nail Moisturizer' at home

Home Remedy 'Hand and Nail Moisturizer'

Whole Milk Yogurt: 2 Tablespoons
Fresh Lime juice: 1 Tablespoon
Almond oil: 1 Tablespoon
Mix and whisk ingredients. Store in refrigerator.
Yield: ¼ cup, or 12 teaspoons. Use one to 1½ teaspoons per application.

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