How to Keep Thick Toenails Thinner

Don't be embarrassed by thick toenails.

Thickened toenails are caused by a variety of factors. Ill-fitting shoes, injury, pressure caused by running or other sports, illness and fungal infections can all lead to this unsightly problem. Thick toenails can lead to discomfort when wearing closed-toe shoes, and embarrassment when wearing sandals. Luckily, you don't have to live with the problem of thick toenails. With just a little bit of effort and maintenance, you can have thinner toenails that you will be proud to show off.

Things You'll Need

• Course-grit padded file
• Three-way buffer
• Cuticle oil

Instructions

1. Use a course-grit padded file to gently file the top surface of each nail with a back and forth motion until you achieve desired thinness. Pause every few seconds to reduce heat caused by the friction of the file. Avoid the skin around nails, to prevent nicks and cuts.

2. Smooth the surface of each nail with a three-way buffer. Buff with the coarsest side first, gradually working your way through to the smoothest side of the buffer. Continue buffing until the nail is smooth and shiny.

3. Apply cuticle oil to each nail and rub in with a circular motion. This will force the oil into the layers of the nail, keeping it hydrated to avoid flaking.

4. Maintain your thin, smooth toenails by buffing with the three-way buffer once a week. Apply cuticle oil once a day to keep nails hydrated and looking their best.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have thick toenails, be sure to check with a doctor to find out if the thickening is caused by illness or a fungal infection. If this is the case, your doctor can recommend treatment to keep the problem from recurring.

References

• Mayo Clinic: How to Trim Thickened Toenails
• Health Guidance: What Causes Thick Toenails?