Difference between revisions of "Make Your Fingernails Look Good"
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Having clean, healthy nails makes your hand appear elongated and graceful. To know how to keep your nails healthy, read the following instructions below carefully. | Having clean, healthy nails makes your hand appear elongated and graceful. To know how to keep your nails healthy, read the following instructions below carefully. | ||
| − | [[Category:Nail Care]] | + | [[Category: Nail Care]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Keep Your Nails Healthy === | === Keep Your Nails Healthy === | ||
| − | #[[Stop Biting Your Nails|Don't bite, pick, or peel!]] The first step to having healthy nails is to avoid biting them. This will increase the chance of having those nails you so desire! Moreover, damaging the nail bed can invite bacteria and fungi and can cause infections.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954?pg=2</ref> | + | #[[Stop Biting Your Nails|Don't bite, pick, or peel!]] The first step to having healthy nails is to avoid biting them. This will increase the chance of having those nails you so desire! Moreover, damaging the nail bed can invite bacteria and fungi and can cause infections.<ref name="rf15382">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954?pg=2</ref> |
#Clean your nails. Cleaning with a nail brush is a gentle way to remove dirt, dead skin, and bacteria from underneath your nails. This is especially important if you bite your nails. You could also make a scrub with 2 spoons sugar and 2 spoons olive oil to make a scrub to exfoliate your hands and the matrix and cuticle areas. This will keep your hands clean and soft and also improve blood circulation in them. | #Clean your nails. Cleaning with a nail brush is a gentle way to remove dirt, dead skin, and bacteria from underneath your nails. This is especially important if you bite your nails. You could also make a scrub with 2 spoons sugar and 2 spoons olive oil to make a scrub to exfoliate your hands and the matrix and cuticle areas. This will keep your hands clean and soft and also improve blood circulation in them. | ||
| − | #Take biotin supplements. Although there isn’t much evidence to indicate that taking additional vitamin supplements will improve your nail health, some research suggests that biotin may strengthen weak nails.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954</ref> | + | #Take biotin supplements. Although there isn’t much evidence to indicate that taking additional vitamin supplements will improve your nail health, some research suggests that biotin may strengthen weak nails.<ref name="rf15383">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954</ref> |
| − | #Moisturize your hands. Get in the habit of using moisturizer, which it helps feed moisture to your nails,<ref | + | #Moisturize your hands. Get in the habit of using moisturizer, which it helps feed moisture to your nails,<ref name="rf15383" /> preventing hangnails and keeping your hands soft. Also, you can massage any kind of oil like coconut or olive oil around your cuticles to hydrate them and provide moisture to them enabling your nails to grow faster. |
#Don’t pull off hangnails. This often tears the healthy tissue around the nail bed, which looks unsightly and can lead to infection. | #Don’t pull off hangnails. This often tears the healthy tissue around the nail bed, which looks unsightly and can lead to infection. | ||
| − | #Keep your nails dry. Excessive moisture can cause your nails to grow brittle and split, so wear gloves when you wash dishes and avoid soaking your hands in the tub.<ref | + | #Keep your nails dry. Excessive moisture can cause your nails to grow brittle and split, so wear gloves when you wash dishes and avoid soaking your hands in the tub.<ref name="rf15383" /> |
#Wear gloves when using harsh chemicals. Strong cleaning agents like bleach and laundry detergent can weaken nails. | #Wear gloves when using harsh chemicals. Strong cleaning agents like bleach and laundry detergent can weaken nails. | ||
| − | #If you have brittle nails, apply clear nail polish. This will help your nails retain their natural moisture.<ref | + | #If you have brittle nails, apply clear nail polish. This will help your nails retain their natural moisture.<ref name="rf15383" /> If you tend to have paper-thin nails, there are nail hardeners that have fibers in the liquid which help tremendously. |
#Consider [[Grow Your Fingernails|growing out your nails]]. Long, strong nails are the envy of every girl who sees them. Note that once you begin growing your own nails, it can take months to get them where you want them. | #Consider [[Grow Your Fingernails|growing out your nails]]. Long, strong nails are the envy of every girl who sees them. Note that once you begin growing your own nails, it can take months to get them where you want them. | ||
| − | #* If you’re looking for a quick fix, [[Apply Fake Nails|wear fake nails]]. Although acrylic nails aren’t likely to damage your real ones, avoid applying them with unsanitary tools or allowing them to separate from the natural nails, both of which can invite infection.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/acrylic-nails/faq-20057849/</ref> | + | #* If you’re looking for a quick fix, [[Apply Fake Nails|wear fake nails]]. Although acrylic nails aren’t likely to damage your real ones, avoid applying them with unsanitary tools or allowing them to separate from the natural nails, both of which can invite infection.<ref name="rf15384">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/acrylic-nails/faq-20057849/</ref> |
=== Apply Nail Polish === | === Apply Nail Polish === | ||
#Wash your hands in warm soapy water. Make sure your nails are clean by washing them for 30 seconds. Dry them well. | #Wash your hands in warm soapy water. Make sure your nails are clean by washing them for 30 seconds. Dry them well. | ||
#Remove polish using a soft cotton ball. Dribble a small amount of fingernail polish remover onto as many cotton balls as you need to fully remove all nail polish. If you have a spot that's difficult to reach with a cotton ball, use a q-tip; alternatively, pinch off a small piece of cotton, wrap it around the flat end of a cuticle stick, soak it with nail-polish remover, and use it to reach those troublesome places. | #Remove polish using a soft cotton ball. Dribble a small amount of fingernail polish remover onto as many cotton balls as you need to fully remove all nail polish. If you have a spot that's difficult to reach with a cotton ball, use a q-tip; alternatively, pinch off a small piece of cotton, wrap it around the flat end of a cuticle stick, soak it with nail-polish remover, and use it to reach those troublesome places. | ||
| − | #* To keep nails healthy, use acetone-free nail-polish remover (acetone dries out nails) and don’t apply it more than once a week.<ref | + | #* To keep nails healthy, use acetone-free nail-polish remover (acetone dries out nails) and don’t apply it more than once a week.<ref name="rf15382" /> |
#Clean your nails. Scrutinize the state of your nails. With the polish now gone, you can see any dirt that has accumulated under your nails. Use a good fingernail brush to wash away the dirt under the nails. Again, if you have a spot that is being stubborn, gently use your cuticle stick to get the hard-to-reach areas. | #Clean your nails. Scrutinize the state of your nails. With the polish now gone, you can see any dirt that has accumulated under your nails. Use a good fingernail brush to wash away the dirt under the nails. Again, if you have a spot that is being stubborn, gently use your cuticle stick to get the hard-to-reach areas. | ||
#Trim your nails evenly. You should cut your fingernails by following the natural curve of your fingers. Rounded tips look better on most people rather than square, softening the hand for a more delicate look. It is important to trim the nails to prepare them to be filed. | #Trim your nails evenly. You should cut your fingernails by following the natural curve of your fingers. Rounded tips look better on most people rather than square, softening the hand for a more delicate look. It is important to trim the nails to prepare them to be filed. | ||
#* If you intend to grow your nails, cut them all down to the same length beforehand so that they grow in evenly. | #* If you intend to grow your nails, cut them all down to the same length beforehand so that they grow in evenly. | ||
| − | #* Though fingernails should be slightly rounded, always cut toenails straight across, which prevents them from becoming ingrown.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ingrown-toenails/basics/causes/con-20019655</ref> | + | #* Though fingernails should be slightly rounded, always cut toenails straight across, which prevents them from becoming ingrown.<ref name="rf15385">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ingrown-toenails/basics/causes/con-20019655</ref> |
#File your nails with a finely-textured nail file. Like sandpaper for furniture, there are different grits of nail files for different purposes; with natural nails, you want a fine grit file. Gently slide the file along the edge of the nail, moving only in one direction only to prevent splitting and cracking. | #File your nails with a finely-textured nail file. Like sandpaper for furniture, there are different grits of nail files for different purposes; with natural nails, you want a fine grit file. Gently slide the file along the edge of the nail, moving only in one direction only to prevent splitting and cracking. | ||
#* Be sure to remove any dust particles generated by the filing. | #* Be sure to remove any dust particles generated by the filing. | ||
