This blog is often about artificial nails, but an important topic not to forget are your natural nails! It's important to ensure your nails stay strong and healthy. Taking care of your nails isn't just about looking good, it's also an important part of maintaining your overall health. Your nails can provide important clues about your health, and keeping them strong and healthy can help prevent painful and unsightly nail problems.
In this blog article I share tips, tricks and product recommendations that have everything to do with nail care.
Table of contents
Top reasons why nail care is so important
Improving your overall health
Our nails can provide important clues to our overall health. For example, changes in nail color, texture, or shape can be a sign of underlying health problems. Taking good care of your nails can keep them strong and healthy, which can help you prevent nail problems and detect potential health problems early.
Healthy nails look good
Well-groomed nails can be an important part of your overall appearance. Strong, healthy nails can make your hands and feet look more attractive and can help you feel more confident and fit.
Nail care can prevent nail damage
Daily wear and tear can cause your nails to become weak, brittle or damaged. By taking good care of your nails you can prevent damage and promote nail growth. This can help you prevent painful and unsightly nail problems such as hangnails, split nails and fungal nails.
Unfortunately, severely damaged nails or nails with problems cannot be treated in the salon
There are a number of reasons why a salon treatment unfortunately cannot take place.
- This is the case with extremely damaged nails due to incorrect removal of artificial nails
- For the condition “ greenies/Pseudomonas ” or a bacterium that leaves a green deposit on the nail
- For contagious nail diseases such as fungal nails / fungal nails
With some patience, the first 2 reasons can recover well. When the nails are properly cared for according to the step-by-step plan below.
Nail care 101 at your home
Follow these 7 simple steps to make your natural nails shine.
In this how-to you will learn how to care for your nails at home. A beautiful manicure for your natural nails not only looks good, but it also keeps them in top condition
Step 1: Wash your hands and nails thoroughly
Wash your hands with a skin-friendly soap.
Take the nail brush and run it carefully along the edges of your nails
Step 2: Push back your cuticles
Take your cuticle pusher and gently push back your cuticles (eponychium).
This ensures that the natural nail plate comes away from the excess cuticle.
Step 4: Remove all dead skin cells from the natural nail plate
This can be done with a special e-file bit, but this can also be done with a manual tool. This is a small scraper to gently go over your nail bed and remove all the dead skin cells.
Step 5: File your natural nails
Grab a fine file (minimum 180 grid), file in one direction to ensure you don't get any hooks. This is because the nail naturally has a layered structure.
You only need to cut your nails if you want to remove a large part of the length. For all smaller adjustments to the shape or length it is better to use the hand file.
Step 7: Apply top coat (optional)
Apply the top coat for a nice shine. Don't have a top coat? Then use a very fine polishing file.
Step 8: Apply cuticle oil
Apply cuticle oil to the cuticles and massage it in to moisturize the cuticles and nourish the nails. This ensures healthy, strong nails and prevents the cuticles from drying out and cracking.
Common nail disorders and how to prevent them
Hangnails
A hangnail refers only to the skin along the sides of the nail, not the nail itself. Hangnails are common. Most people experience hangnails when their skin is dry, such as in winter or after prolonged exposure to water. A hangnail can become infected if exposed to bacteria or fungi.
Prevent & cure hangnails
If you have a hangnail, don't try to tear or pull it off. If you pull on it, you may pull off extra skin, opening more inner layers of skin to bacteria. This can also aggravate the hangnail area, causing it to become red and slightly inflamed.
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the hangnail to prevent infection and irritation.
Then place your hand flat on a clean surface, palm down. Carefully cut away the excess skin from the hangnail with clean nail clippers or scissors. If you can't do it yourself, consider asking a family member or friend for help.
Applying antibiotic ointment or cream to the area is a good idea to protect the area from bacteria.
If your hangnail does not improve within two weeks or shows signs of infection, call your doctor.
Brittle nails
This is a condition in which the nails are weak, brittle and prone to breaking or splitting.
Preventing & healing brittleness
To improve the strength and appearance of brittle nails, try applying a moisturizer or oil to your nails and cuticles and consider taking a biotin supplement or eating foods rich in biotin, such as eggs, almonds and sweet potatoes.
Nail Psoriasis
This is a skin condition that affects the nails, causing them to become pitted, ridged and discolored.
Prevent & cure psoriasis
Treatment for nail psoriasis may include topical corticosteroids or medications that target the immune system. To prevent nail psoriasis, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, as well as avoiding triggers such as stress and smoking.
Yellow nails
This can be caused by various factors such as smoking, yeast infections or even certain medical conditions.
Prevent & cure yellow nails
To treat yellow nails, you can soak your nails in a mixture of baking soda and water and avoid smoking or exposing your nails to harsh chemicals. To prevent yellow nails, it is important to maintain good nail hygiene, including regular cleaning and trimming.
Paronychia
This is a bacterial or fungal infection that affects the skin around the nail, which can cause pain, swelling and redness.
Prevent & cure paronychia
Treatment for paronychia may include antibiotics or antifungal medications, as well as keeping the affected area clean and dry. To prevent paronychia,
Fungal nails
This is a fungal infection that affects the nail and can cause the nail to become thickened, discolored and brittle.
Prevent & cure fungal nails
Treatment for nail fungus may include over-the-counter antifungal creams, prescription medications, and keeping the affected nail clean and short. To prevent nail fungus, it is important to keep your feet dry, wear breathable shoes and avoid walking barefoot in public places such as changing rooms and swimming pools.
Tips and tricks for stronger and more beautiful nails
- Wear gloves when doing housework and gardening to protect your nails from dirt and damage.
- Avoid biting your nails and picking at cuticles. This can lead to infections and damaged nails.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in nutrients essential for healthy nails, such as vitamins A, C, E and biotin.
- Do not use nail polish remover with acetone as it can dry out and weaken the nail plate. Instead, opt for acetone-free nail polish remover.
- Use nail hardeners and care products to strengthen your nails and protect them from breaking and cracking. Look for products that contain calcium, vitamin E or panthenol.
- Massage your hands and nails regularly with a moisturizer to keep them hydrated and prevent them from drying out.
Conclusion
By taking good care of your natural nails, you can keep your nails healthy, strong and beautiful. It is important to regularly care for your nails and protect them from damage and infection. Follow the steps in this guide and use the tips and tricks to provide the best care for your nails. This way, your nails will not only look fantastic, but they will also contribute to your overall health and well-being.
