How to Avoid Damaging Your Nails

If you’re proud of your long, strong fingernails, then you know that it’s important to protect them from damage. There’s more to taking care of your nails than a regular manicure so follow these tips for help.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gloves
• Emery board
• Cuticle cream
• Tools

1. Wear gloves when doing housework or any other job that requires submerging your hands in water or handling chemicals.
2. Use the right tool for the job—don’t use your nails to remove staples, or to open soda cans, bottles or other containers.
3. Protect your nails from water damage by wearing a clear nail hardener if gloves are won't work in a given situation (such as for swimming or other water sports).
4. Cut your nails straight across instead of into the corners.
5. Use an emery board instead of a metal nail file. Using a metal file can cause your nails to split.
6. Use nail polish remover that does not contain acetone, a chemical that weakens nails.
7. Keep your cuticles healthy with a cuticle moisturizing cream.

Tips & Warnings

• If your nails do get broken or torn, clip the nail, then file to smooth any rough edges.
• Manicure your nails no more than once a week, either at home or at a nail salon. More frequent manicuring can weaken your nails.
• Applying a nail hardener to soft or weak nails is a good way to help keep them strong even if you don’t need to protect them from water damage. You can apply nail hardener as a top coat over polish, or directly to unpolished nails.