8 Nail Care Tricks to Keep Them Strong, Shiny and Healthy at Home

Taking care of your health is multifaceted and requires you to ensure various areas of your body are in good shape. With so many different components to preserving your good health, it can be easy to overlook some things. One aspect that some people tend to forget is nail health. You may not realize it, but your nails will not just continue to look great on their own. Your nails need love too, and this means taking some time to give them some regularly scheduled TLC. If you are ready to learn more about nail health, check out these 8 nail care tricks to keep them strong, shiny, and healthy at home.

Keep your nails trimmed

This may seem like a no-brainer, but some people forget this essential step — or don’t realize how important it is. Trimming your nails regularly helps prevent ingrown nails from becoming a thing. You can trim them right after a shower or bath when they are a bit softer. Or use a nail file to round them off at the corners and edges. This will help your nails look better and grow stronger.

Try a nail serum

Nail serums are great if you need to repair your nails from damage. Just like any other part of your body, your nails need moisturization too. You can use a nail serum, or apply oils like almond and avocado directly to your nail bed and cuticles. This will help keep your nails hydrated, and begin to heal any breakage, dryness, or brittleness.

Keep your nails clean and dry

Leaving your nails moist and unclean can cause hard to remove germs and bacteria to grow under them. This can also leave you at risk of developing split fingernails, which no one wants to deal with. So keeping them dry and clean at all times is essential.

Eat more healthy proteins

Keratin is key in healthy nails. So eating foods that are high in keratin is a great way to improve nail health. Try to eat foods like beans, almonds, and fish. You can also take supplements like biotin and fish oil, which are also great for nails. Any of these actions can drastically improve your nail health; and these foods and supplements are readily available and typically easy to find at your local grocery store or vitamin shop.

Be careful with pedicures and manicures

Many people love to go to their local nail salon to get their nails professionally manicured or pedicured. But not all nail technicians properly sanitize their tools. Be sure to ask your nail tech to clean and sanitize their instruments and food baths in between sessions. This will help you cut down on the risk of catching any bacteria, fungi or illnesses through their equipment.

Try not to bite your nails too much

We all have habits that are hard to quit, but can help ease our nerves. Biting nails is something many people are guilty of and it can be more damaging to more than just your nails. If you have dirt under your nails, you are easily spreading those germs to your mouth and your body. And on the other hand, if you have any open sores on your nails, you are passing any germs from your mouth into your body as well. So if you can help it, try to keep your nail-biting to a bare minimum.

Be cautious with the kind of nail polish you choose

Nail polish is a fun way to express your individual style and personality. Different textures and colors can show off your mood or vibe, and bring some vibrant color into your day. But all nail polishes are not created equally, and some contain chemicals that are quite dangerous to our health. Formaldehyde and dibutyl are common ingredients in many polishes, and can damage your nails and make them weaker. Also, putting color on your nails continuously can make them weaker, and even turn them yellow.

Stop trimming your nail cuticles

This one may come as a surprise, but you actually shouldn’t be altering your nail cuticles. This protective layer is essential in keeping your nail and nail bed protected against fungus, bacteria, yeast, and dirt. Cutting, pushing inward or trimming your cuticles can result in all sorts of damage like twisted and painful nails, peeling, cracking, and paronychia.