How To

How to Avoid Damaging Your Nails

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Rate: (0 Ratings)

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.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Gloves
  • Emery board
  • Cuticle cream
  • Tools
  1. Step 1

    Wear gloves when doing housework or any other job that requires submerging your hands in water or handling chemicals.

  2. Step 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. Step 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. Step 4

    Cut your nails straight across instead of into the corners.

  5. Step 5

    Use an emery board instead of a metal nail file. Using a metal file can cause your nails to split.

  6. Step 6

    Use nail polish remover that does not contain acetone, a chemical that weakens nails.

  7. Step 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.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care
eHow_eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care