Nail care is often the most overlooked part of a person's life until you see dirt underneath the tips. People also become cautious when their nails start chipping one by one, diminishing the appearance of their hands.
A manicure or pedicure can fix it all! These are broad beauty treatments for hands and feet, with nail care as an essential part.
Whether you’re opting for a DIY or a professional mani/pedi service, the process involves trimming nails, pushing cuticles, shaping nails, and applying a fresh coat of nail polish (optional).
Other than beauty treatments, you should also include nutrient-rich foods in your diet that will support nail strength and growth.
So, are you wondering how to take care of nails?
Read this blog to get a detailed understanding of nail maintenance. It will also discuss common mistakes people make in nail maintenance.
Why Nail Care Is Important for Overall Health?
A healthy nail care routine keeps fungal infections away. It also keeps your cuticles moisturized, adding to your overall health. When someone notices neat fingernails and toenails, it builds a strong impression.
Besides preventing fungal infections and aesthetic appeal, the following reasons make nail care essential for overall health:
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Better hygiene: Cleaning nails and applying oil around the cuticle prevent them from drying.
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Stronger nails: Growing nails to a certain height looks good. But when they surpass that length, the nails break. Trimming is a crucial part of nail care that supports stronger nails.
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Health awareness: Nails are made of keratin. When your body lacks keratin, you can see changes in nails, such as brittleness or discoloration. These can be early indicators of health conditions like fatty liver, kidney disease, or diabetes.
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Skin protection: Snagging nails can hurt the skin around the nail bed. Cutting the nails into a proper shape and treating the cuticles helps protect the skin.
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Daily comfort: Bumping into sharp edges can often break your toenails. Even lifting a heavy object can chip fingernails. Trim your nails to a proper length to prevent snagging, splitting, or causing discomfort during everyday activities.
How to Take Care of Nails Daily? (Step-by-Step Routine)
By trimming them to a proper length, pushing back the cuticle, and applying oils on your nails, you support a healthy nail care routine. Achieving perfect nails doesn't have to be hectic. You can introduce these small habits into your daily life and take care of your nails.
Here’s a step-by-step routine for nail care:
1. Keep Your Nails Clean
Cleaning nails is the foundation of good nail health. Wash your hands and feet regularly to reduce germ buildup underneath the nails.
After washing your hands and feet, dry them properly, especially if you're applying nail polish afterward. Drying your nails completely prevents premature peeling. Overall, keeping nails clean reduces the risk of fungal infections and chipping.
2. Trim and File Correctly
Keeping long nails can be tempting, but when they extend beyond 5 mm past your fingertips, consider trimming them. Trimming your nails every 1-2 weeks prevents them from snagging and early breakage.
You should use nail clippers to trim both fingernails and toenails. After that, use a filer to smooth the edges. Ensure you're filing the nails in one direction to give them a uniform look.
3. Moisturize Nails and Cuticles
Just like your skin, your nails require moisturization to stay less prone to splitting. Apply oil to your cuticles to strengthen your nails and smooth your skin. If you can't follow this routine, a professional manicure or pedicure can be helpful.
A manicure is the beauty treatment for hands that involves nail trimming, hand massage, and everything in between. On the other hand, a pedicure is a treatment for your feet and toenails that involves nail trimming, buffing, cuticle care, and a foot massage.
4. Protect Your Nails During Daily Activities
Everyday life can expose your nails to water, jolts, and harsh chemicals. Certain small habits can go a long way toward protecting your nails from splitting or snagging. These habits include:
- Wear gloves when you're doing dishes, gardening, or washing clothes.
- Hydrate your nails and cuticles with oils and cream.
- Avoid using your nails to scrape surfaces or open packages, as it can cause cracks.
- Use non-acetone removers that strip less moisture from your nail plate.
Best Foods and Nutrients for Healthy Nails
Along with consistent nail care for healthy nails, what you eat also affects them. Nails are made of keratin. Hence, a steady intake of foods rich in protein, iron, biotin (vitamin B7), omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc can build strength and promote steady growth.
Here are the foods you should include in your diet:
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Beans and lentils: These are excellent source of iron, protein, and zinc that supports stronger nails and overall wellness.
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Eggs: Packed with biotin and protein that promote keratin production, the main component of nails.
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Nuts and seeds: Sunflower seeds, walnuts, and almonds contain zinc and healthy fats that help strengthen weak nails over time.
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Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D to nourish nails and surrounding skin.
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Leafy greens: Kale and spinach provide vitamins, iron, and folate that support healthy nail growth.
Common Nail Care Mistakes That Damage Your Nails
Even a few habits can strip the keratin layers, leaving your nails exposed to damage. Peeling off nail polish, biting your nails, and using a saw-like filing motion weaken the nail plate, leading to splitting.
The following are the nail care mistakes that damage your nails:
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Biting or picking at your nails: Increases the risk of irritation or infection and weakens the nail.
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Using nails as tools: Prying objects, opening cans, and scratching labels with your nails causes them to chip, crack, or break.
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Skipping moisturizer: Dry cuticles and nails are likely to split. Use a cuticle oil on your fingernails and toenails to keep them hydrated regularly.
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Peeling off nail polish: Picking or peeling it off tears away the top layers of natural nails. It leaves the nails brittle and thin.
Home Remedies to Keep Nails Healthy Naturally
You don’t always have to purchase high-end products to take care of your nails. Hydrating your nails and cuticles, protecting them from damage, and eating healthy can be enough to promote strong nails.
The following are the natural nail care tips you can follow at home:
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Massage your nails with cuticle oil: Jojoba, coconut, or sweet almond oil moisturizes dry nails and softens cuticles.
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Wear gloves while cleaning: One of the most effective nail maintenance tips is to protect your hands from excessive water exposure and cleaning product exposure, which can weaken nail plates. Wearing gloves prevents water and cleaning products from getting on your hands and helps keep your nails strong.
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Avoid prolonged soaking: Leaving your nails in water for too long softens them and makes them more prone to splitting. Keep your nails dry and skip soaking before manicures and pedicures.
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Give your nails a break from polish: Wearing nail polish all the time can weaken the layers of your natural nails. Let your nails go polish-free for 10-14 days before applying again.
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Hydrate and eat a balanced diet: Drink sufficient water and eat nutrient-rich foods to promote healthy nails.
Nail Problems You Should Never Ignore
Following nail hygiene tips helps strengthen nails. But you may experience changes in your nails due to an underlying disease. Discoloration, nail detachment, or swollen fingertips can be alarming and require a consultation with a dermatologist.
Here are the nail problems you should never ignore:
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Nail clubbing: Nails that become wider, round, and curved down as they grow indicate low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, or heart conditions.
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Onycholysis (Lifting Nails): It is a condition when the nails separate from the nail bed due to repeated trauma or injury.
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Dark Streaks (Possible Melanoma): A dark line running through the nail should never be ignored, as it could be a sign of acral lentiginous melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
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Nail Pitting: Tiny dents or depressions on the nail surface may indicate psoriasis or eczema.
Elevate Your Nail Care Routine with On The Side Day Spa
Achieving healthy nails requires consistent care. Knowing how to take care of nails doesn't have to be a complex process. You can combine a healthy diet with regular hydration and protective measures to support nail health.
You can apply cuticle oil regularly, wear gloves while cleaning, and trim your nails every 1-2 weeks to maintain nail health and hygiene. Additionally, you can pamper your nails with professional care such as manicures and pedicures.
At On The Side Day Spa, our nail technicians offer various manicure and pedicure treatments to support nail and cuticle health. By discussing your concerns with our experts, you can get the best-suited manicure, pedicure, or both.
We incorporate different steps and a wide range of tools to trim and shape your nails. Our nail technicians include a relaxing massage into the nail care to boost their strength.
Ready to get perfect nails? Check out our nail care collection, and our experts will recommend the right manicure or pedicure suited to your needs.
FAQs
1. How often should you trim your nails?
You should trim your nails every 1-2 weeks. It is a standard
timeline. But you can trim your nails depending on how quickly they
grow. Regular trimming is one of the simplest ways to reduce breakage
and keep them neat.
2. Can damaged nails become healthy again?
Yes, damaged nails can become healthy with consistent care.
Moisturize your nails, avoid picking, harsh filing, and using your
nails as tools. A daily nail care routine can support
healthier-looking nail growth over time.
3. Which oil is best for nail care?
Jojoba oil is best for moisturizing dry cuticles and the skin around
the nails. You can also use almond oil or coconut oil to strengthen
nail growth. Apply a small amount of any of these oils to experience
stronger nails and soft cuticles.
4. How can I strengthen weak nails?
You can strengthen your nails by trimming and moisturizing them
regularly. Protect your hands from harsh cleaning products and avoid
chipping off the nail polish. Eat nutrient-rich foods or take biotin
supplements to support strong nails over time.
5. Are yellow nails a sign of a fungal infection?
Yes, yellow nails are a common early sign of fungal infection known
as onychomycosis. It usually occurs when your nails have dirt
underneath. The fungus builds up as a yellow or white spot under the
tip and can discolor the whole nail.
