How to Look After Nails

While nice, strong fingernails are partly due to good genetics, even those with weak, brittle nails can make their fingertips shine. You just need to learn how to look after your nails to grow them longer, stronger and more beautiful.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Hand cream
• Nail clippers
• Nail file

Instructions

1. Protect your nails from unnecessary damage by wearing gloves when working in water and avoiding using your nails as tools. That is, do not scratch, pick or pry at objects with your nails, or you will quickly find them broken and damaged.

2. Use hand cream daily, as an important part of nail care is moisturizer. When applying moisturizer, make sure that you work the cream into your nails, massaging against the cuticles to keep them pushed back high on the nail bed.

3. Manicure your nails regularly, trimming them once a week. When filing your nails, always work in the same direction, as sawing back and forth can cause weak spots in your nails and cause them to break.

4. Look after your nails by keeping your cuticles whole. While many people feel that cuticle-free nails are more attractive they are their to protect your growing nails from infection and bacteria and should be left as they are.

5. Care for your nails by avoiding nail polish. While some people claim that polish is a great way to look after your nails as it increase the strength of the nail, in the long run, polish robs the nails of air and moisture that they need to grow strong.

6. Watch out for bad habits which can weaken nails, such as clicking one nail with another, tapping nails on a firm surface or picking your teeth with your fingernails. Finally, it may seem obvious, but biting your nails and cuticles is a common yet nail destroying habit.

Tips & Warnings

• Spots on the nail bed, ridges and nails which are too thick or too thin may be signs of a medical problem. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.