Healthy Nails

Clean and shiny nails are important to look well-groomed. The health of your nails is often ignored as compared to other body parts. Though women might go for the manicure and pedicure, nails are not completely taken care of in this regime. Yes, for having healthy nails, you need to care for them and take a few precautions. Here are some tips, following which you can definitely have healthy nails.

Tips to Follow

Keep them Hydrated
Firstly keep your nails bare for the maximum duration. Most women keep applying nail polish to have beautiful looking nails. Let me tell you that keeping your nails constantly covered with nail polish is very unhealthy for them? This can strip off the moisture, shine and make them dry. You must try to use acetone-free nail polish only. Also apply this only on special occasions or when essential. Apply petroleum jelly to keep your nails hydrated and shiny. You can also apply natural oils on your nails before going to bed. One tip is using castor oil. Most importantly, drink plenty of water.

Keep them Clean
Most of the nail disorders arise due to unclean nails and lack of hygiene. Wet nails and dirt collected under the nail tips and border can further lead to bacteria. You must regularly file them with a fine textured filer. Also clean the cuticles and area below the tips and corners. Keeping your nails short is good. If you like growing them, taking care of them and keeping them clean is not an option. Make sure your shoes and socks are not sweaty and wet. You can wear alternate shoe pairs everyday. Cotton socks are the best ones to go for.

Protect Them
Remember your nails are delicate and are not to be used as tools. We often use our nails to open lids, stapler pins, scratch and for many other tasks. Strictly avoid doing this if you want them looking healthy and good. Also, wear rightly fitting shoes to protect your nails. Often, very tight fitting shoes lead to nail problems and cause pain in your nails and toes. Keeping them short will also prevent breakage. Wearing rubber gloves while you perform housework and stop the habit of biting them.

Nutrition for Nails
While you readily eat foods that are good for your health, skin or hair, nails are no exception. These too need some nutrients for proper growth and stay problem free. Include apples, cucumbers, eggs, garlic, grapes, nuts, onions, soy, salmon and whole grains in your diet. Foods containing zinc, protein and calcium are essential for healthy nail growth. Vitamin A, B, C, D, and E are essential vitamins for nails.

Follow Nail Care Routine
Here's a simple nail care regime with easy nail care tips that you can follow to ensure best looking nails. After taking a bath, dry your nails completely. Make sure the inner corners are also thoroughly dried off. Apply a nourishing cuticle cream twice a week and clean it after 20 minutes. Buffing your nails once a week properly to remove dirt, make them even so as to improve blood circulation. Soak your fingernails and toe nails in a solution of diluted vinegar once a week. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure at home to thoroughly clean the nails once a week.

Following the aforementioned tips will definitely help you have healthy nails. Remember to visit a doctor as soon as you see irregular growth of nails, pus formation or experience pain in the nail bed. Ignorance can lead to major nail disorders like nail fungus or toenail fungus, which might take days to cure. Also, always use good quality nail care products like creams and nail polish. Believe me, bare nails look even better than those graced with nail art, if well-groomed and healthy.