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Last Updated: Nov 09, 2019
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How To Take Care Of Your Nails?

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Dr. Sandesh GuptaDermatologist • 29 Years Exp.MBBS, Diploma in Venerology & Dermatology (DVD)
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Having beautiful nails is not only necessary for looking good, but they need to be clean for health purposes too. Just like your skin and hair, you need to take care of them so that they look healthy. They are exposed to the environment and there are many ways by which your nails get damaged. Thus, here are a few tips that are easy to follow to keep your nails look great and healthy:

  1. Care for your cuticles: During a manicure, avoid trimming your cuticles. They are meant to be the barrier for bacteria and when you cut them, it may result in painful infections. With the help of a cuticle pusher, you may moisten them and push them back, but do not cut them totally. Even when you are having a conventional manicure make sure that you protect your cuticles by dabbing some olive or almond oil so that the reaction of chemicals that come in contact with your skin becomes minimum.
  2. Use moisturizer: Even your nails need to be moisturized and hence while you rub lotion on your hands put some of it on your nail and cuticles too. By using hand wash regularly you tend to dry your nail bed. Thus, after every wash, it is necessary that you use some moisturizer. If possible, use some coconut oil for rubbing on your nails. You can use cuticle cream too and rubbing that every day on your cuticles will help in keeping them moisturized.
  3. Provide nutrients to your nails: Even your nails need nutrients to be healthy. Take biotin which is also referred to as vitamin H. Studies reveal that it helps in preventing nails from becoming brittle. It may not grow your nails faster, but it provides the necessary support to your nails so that they do not split, crack or tear away.
  4. Wear gloves to protect your nails: Make it a practice to wear gloves while you are working with detergents. Detergents have harsh chemicals that will leach away nutrients and moisture from your nails. Thus, it’s better to protect before the damage is done. Prevention is better than cure!
  5. Avoid using harsh polish: In nail polishes, you will find toxic chemicals like toluene, dimethyl, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, diethyl phthalates, and formaldehyde. These nail polishes are dangerous for health. Instead, try alternatives that do not contain such chemicals and are easy on your nails. Before you purchase them read the label carefully.

After following all these, if still, you are not satisfied with the quality or health of your nails, it is better to get advice from an expert.

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