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Do you hate how your nails look after being constantly pushed and pulled? Or maybe you just hate the thought of shelling out money at the nail salon every time your fingers need a fresh coat of polish? If so, you’ll want to learn how to maintain your nails at home instead.
Not only will this help preserve the appearance of your nails, but it can also help prevent hangnails, cracked nails and split nails in the long run. Keep reading for tips on how to maintain your nails at home:
Cut your nails very short
This may seem like a no-brainer, but did you know that cutting your nails too short can cause damage to the nail bed and make it more prone to hangnails and split nails? This can be prevented by only hacking off your nails a very small amount every few weeks.
If you trim too short, your nails will become too thin, which can lead to splits and hangnails. If you don’t have the best nail cutter, you’ll want to avoid using a pair of nail scissors. Scissors can cause your nails to become too short, causing splits and hangnails in the process.
If you’re not comfortable using a pair of nail scissors, you can try using a nail clipper instead.
Remove your cuticles
Even if you’re not prone to cuticles, they can become ingrown and infected if you don’t remove them. The best thing to use to remove your cuticles is a cuticle remover.
These come in various shapes, sizes and materials, so it’s easy to find one that works for you. Once you’ve removed your cuticles, you may be wondering how to keep them from getting too long.
If so, try using a cuticle oil or balm. These can help keep your cuticles healthy and strong, so you don’t have to worry about them getting too long.
Exfoliate your skin daily
Exfoliating can help your skin become smoother and softer. It can also help reduce the amount of acne breakouts you get, which is especially important if you’re prone to acne.
Exfoliating your skin helps remove the build-up of dead skin cells, which can increase the amount of oxygen and moisture your skin receives.
This can help prevent dryness and irritation. You can use a simple scrub or face polish to exfoliate your skin. If you want to get a bit more advanced, you can try using a body polish or a foot scrub.
Keep your nails short and filed down
If your nails are too long, they can get in the way when you’re doing activities, like playing sports or doing chores around the house.
This can cause you to lose interest in doing these activities, which is never a good thing. One way to keep your nails short is to file them down every so often. You can use a basic nail file to file down your nails without any problems arising.
You can also try using a nail buffer to file down your nails. Not only will a nail buffer help your nails get to the desired length, but it can also help smooth out the edges of your nails, which can help prevent hangnails.
Use a base coat and top coat
A base coat helps keep your nails from getting stained and discolored, while a top coat helps nails stay strong and shiny. Using a base coat and a top coat can help reduce the amount of staining on your nails and they can also help prolong the life of your nails.
The base coat you should be using will depend on whether or not you have a special nail polish that has a certain color inside.
If your polish has a special ingredient that causes it to stain your nails, being sure to use a base coat can help prevent staining.
Avoid wearing acrylic tips
Acrylic tips are typically harder than natural nail, which can wear down the nails underneath them faster, leading to split and broken nails. Natural nails typically grow in faster than acrylic nails, so having natural nails can help you keep your manicure and pedicure looking nice for longer.
Don’t soak your feet
It’s important that you don’t soak your feet when trying to maintain your nails at home. If you soak your feet, you’ll want to be sure to air them out as soon as possible.
Otherwise, the moisture in your feet will be absorbed into your nails, causing yellowing and a change in the appearance of your nails. It’s also a good idea not to cut your toenails too short while you’re at it.
If you’re constantly cutting toenails, they may start growing back crooked, which can make it look like your nails are constantly growing or peeling.
Don’t file your natural nail too often
Nail files are designed to smooth down your nails and help them grow faster.
But, like any other tool, they can cause damage if they’re used too often. It’s best to file your nails only when they start getting too thick or when they start growing too quickly.
A nail file is best used on a nail when it’s about half an inch wide. After that, you risk damaging the nail bed.
Let dry time be the final step
One of the best parts of maintaining your nails at home is letting them dry time be the final step. This can prevent the likelihood of your nails breaking or chipping.
If you’re going to be doing other things while your nails are drying, like doing chores around the house or playing sports, you may want to consider wearing a pair of sandals or socks to prevent damage to your nails.
It’s also a good idea to file your nails as soon as you’re done with the application process. This can help prevent nails that have been filed from becoming too thick or too thin.
These tips will help you to keep your natural nails looking great. When it comes to keeping your nails healthy, you may as well keep them in the best shape possible.
