As humans, it is natural to create perceptions about people based on their outward appearance. The condition of your nails, unfortunately or fortunately, says a lot about your self-care habits and even more about your health and age.
Some people are predisposed to having beautiful hands and shaped nails, but the way that you take care of yourself does affect them. Healthy nails have a smooth appearance, lack discoloration that can sometimes come off as “dirty,” and have a flawless texture that makes them shine.
These are nine helpful tips to help your nails make a favorable impression on the world.
1. Caring for Your Cuticles is Key
Your cuticles are like your nail's protective barrier that helps to seal out bacteria, harmful organisms, and fungi from entering the body and causing infection. They are a major contributor to the health of your nails.
When they are properly cared for, they help to prevent issues like ridges, peeling, and splitting. If you allow them to become dry and damaged, it can lead to cracking and tears, as well as irregular nail growth and development.
A healthy regimen would be to moisturize frequently and avoid cutting them.
2. Avoid Harsh Polish
Although many people use polish to enhance the look of their nails, not being careful about the type and brand of polish you choose can negatively affect your nail health.
Some polishes contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene. Formaldehyde is a hardener and preservative that has carcinogenic properties. It also has been shown to cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and respiratory issues.
Toluene should also be avoided because it can lead to headaches, nausea, and dizziness when used in high concentrations. There is some evidence that it can also harm your respiratory system and be a significant risk for pregnant women. When possible, choose non-toxic polishes that contain only natural ingredients.
3. Buff Rather Than Polish
For those looking to go au naturel, buffing your nails can enhance their appearance and make them shine. First, gather a buffer with varying grit levels, a nail file, a cuticle pusher, and a nail brush.
Once you have these tools in hand:
- Clean your nails by washing your hands, making sure to remove dirt, oil, and any leftover nail polish residue
- Trim and file your nails to the desired length. Avoid filing your nails back and forth, as it can weaken them and lead to splitting
- Gently push back cuticles without cutting them. Being gentle will reduce the risk of infection
- Smooth the surface of your nails to remove ridges or imperfections, buffing in only one direction
- Polish your nails using a low-grit buffer edge
- Shine your nails with the lowest-grit buffer edge
- Once complete, make sure to moisturize your nails with hand cream or cuticle oil to keep your nails properly hydrated
4. Be Mindful of Your Remover Choice
Just as you want to be careful about what type of polish you choose, the type of remover is also important. Look for polish removers with moisturizing agents that are free of harmful chemicals like paragons, formaldehyde, and phthalates.
Also, choose a remover that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Although acetone-based removers work more effectively, non-acetone ones are gentler and reduce excessive drying of your nails.
Non-acetone, however, might not be appropriate for removing darker shades or glitter components. Finally, as with your nail polish choice, you will want to buy a non-toxic remover, as it will have fewer negative effects on your nail health.
5. Use a Natural Nail-Strengthening Treatment
Instead of choosing polishes to strengthen and harden your nails, try making a natural nail-strengthening serum. A good recipe consists of just three ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, and biotin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 biotin capsule or tablet
- Warm the olive oil in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds
- Mix in the fresh lemon juice and stir well to combine
- Pierce and squeeze the biotin capsule into the mixture
- Mix well
- Apply the homemade serum with a cotton ball or with your fingertips to the cuticles and nails and massage in a circular motion
- Let it sit for a minimum of 15-20 minutes. For extra absorption, leave on overnight with gloves on
- Rinse and apply hand cream or moisturizer
For best results, use your serum treatment about every two to three weeks to strengthen your nails and prevent breaking and splitting.
6. Eat a Nutritional Diet
Your nails tell a lot about your overall health, which starts with getting all the proper vitamins and nutrients that your body needs. A balanced diet helps to provide your system with all that it needs to function properly, maintain energy levels, and support health and longevity.
A balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic illness, and promote the growth and repair of your cells, which will affect the appearance and health of your nails.
7. Examine Nails for Signs of Health Problems
Unsightly nails are not only embarrassing; they can be a warning sign of underlying health concerns. Examine your nails for changes in color, texture, or shape.
The following are associated with certain health conditions:
White or Pale Nails
- Liver disease
- Anemia
- Congestive heart failure
- Malnutrition
- Fungal infection
- Psoriasis
- Thyroid disease
- Lung disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Arthritis
- Iron deficiency
- Dehydration
- Thyroid disease
- Overexposure to chemicals or water
- Fungal infection
- Minor injury
- Iron deficiency
- Allergic reaction
If you notice significant changes in your nail appearance or the condition worsens over time, you should consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
8. Choose Nail Tips over Full Extensions
If you wish to enhance the look of your nails, it is better to choose nail tips over full extensions. Nail tips are applied to your natural nails, so they tend to look more natural.
They also allow for customization that can best mimic your natural nail shape. Unlike full extensions, nail tips feel more comfortable, and they can last several weeks if applied correctly.
Although full extensions might tend to last longer, nail tips are less harsh and often reduce the risk of weak or brittle nails. Finally, nail tips are generally less expensive and are less damaging when removed.
9. Limit Harsh Cleaning Soaps and Don’t Overdo Hand Washing
In a post-pandemic world, many people tend to wash their hands a lot more than they used to. It is important to make sure that you wash your hands regularly, but limit harsh soaps when doing so. Also, if you work with harsh chemicals, remember to wear gloves to protect your skin and nails.
Can AquaBliss ShowerHead Filters Help with Pretty and Natural Nails?
One of the easiest ways to enhance the natural look of your nails and your skin overall is to install an AquaBliss showerhead filter. An AquaBliss showerhead will help to lead to a healthier you on many levels by:
Reducing Harmful Chemicals
The AquaBliss showerhead filter helps to filter out and reduce harmful chemicals in the water, such as chlorine, which can lead to dryness, cracking, and brittle skin.
The water that you bathe in affects your overall health by reducing the absorption of toxins, and it also makes your skin and nails glow brighter.
Moisturize and Nourish
Getting the proper amount of water daily helps the body remain fully hydrated, which is essential for your nail and skin health. Proper hydration ensures that your nails are less prone to cracking and brittleness.
Harsh contaminants like heavy metals and impurities often found in tap water can weaken and damage your nails over time. Also, by filtering out hard water, you can reduce high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can lead to nail deposits that cause dryness and damage.
Filtered water can also help to support the health of your nail matrix, which is where new nail cells are formed. When your nails are hydrated with pure water, they are less prone to splitting, peeling, and breaking.
Finally, soaking your cuticles in filtered water before you care for them can help soften cuticles to reduce the risk of cracking or tearing the cuticle and increase your risk of infection.
Promote Overall Nail Health
Most of the water that you absorb comes not just from drinking but also from absorbing it via your skin. Make sure that you are doing all that you can to limit your exposure to harsh chemicals and hard water minerals by using AquaBliss showerhead filters.
After all, it isn’t just about having beautiful nails on the outside - it’s about health both inside and out.
