How to Clip Fingernails
Everyone has fingernails. Unless you are a habitual nail-biter, you have to clip them. It's one of the universal facts of life, and unfortunately one of those self-care things that are often overlooked. So if you missed out on the "how to clip fingernails" class in grade school, keep reading. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton balls
- Gentle hand soap
- Fingernail clippers
- Nail file
- Styptic powder
Instructions
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Begin by prepping your nails for clipping. If you have nail polish on, remove it completely with a cotton ball and a little bit of nail polish remover. Continue wiping the polish off until all traces of color are removed.
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Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
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Decide which hand to start working on (it's usually easier to clip the nails of your "off" hand).
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Take the clippers in the opposite hand and hold them steady. You can rest your elbows on a table to give yourself a steady work surface.
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Move clipper to the fingernail, placing the tip of the nail gently between the blades of the clipper.
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Press down on the handle of the clipper until you see the fingernail fragment fall.
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Repeat with remaining fingernails, switching hands when needed.
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Tips & Warnings
You can always trim them shorter, but you can't make them longer! Begin by clipping off a bit, and repeat until you reach the desired length.
If you have thick or tough nails, consider soaking them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to soften the nail bed. This will make clipping easier.
Never trim to the quick of your finger, which is the area where your fingernail meets your skin. If you do so, treat promptly with a styptic powder to stop the bleeding and prevent infection.
If you have a medical condition that affects your nervous system or circulation, do not clip fingernails yourself. Ask a family member or friend to help you, or seek the help of a manicurist.
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