How to Whiten Toenails

You can whiten discolored toenails.

People expose their feet to a lot of wear and tear every day. Feet are susceptible to damage and fungus from causes including distance running, banging a toe or merely wearing moist socks inside shoes. Onychomycosis, the technical term for fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails, is a primary cause for nail discoloration. These conditions should receive medical treatment. The cause for discoloration may be as simple as wearing nail polish without using a protective base coat.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent
• Baking soda
• Cotton swabs or nail pusher
• Plastic bowl
• Warm water

Instructions

Nail Bleaching

1. Mix 1-tbsp. of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 2-1/2 tbsp. of baking soda in a small plastic bowl to form a pasty solution.

2. Press a small amount of the mixture firmly under each nail tip, working on one foot at a time. Use a cotton swab or nail pusher and press the paste in gently.

3. Apply a small amount of the mixture to the top side of the nail tips on the same foot.

4. Refrain from removing the mixture for 3 minutes.

5. Rinse the nails with warm water.

6. Repeat the application on each nail of the opposite foot.

7. Apply this treatment every 6-to-8 weeks to maintain white toenails.

Alternative Treatments--Denture Cleaner

1. Dissolve one or two commercial denture cleaner tablets in warm water.

2. Soak toenails for approximately 5 minutes.

3. Rinse the toenails in warm water.

Alternative Treatments--Whitening Pencil

1. Apply a nail-whitening pencil under the toenail tips for a speedy and bright white appearance.

2. Draw a thin, white line under the toenail, following the natural curvature of the tip.

3. Re-apply the pencil lines as necessary.

Alternative Treatments--Lemon Juice

1. Rub a slice of lemon directly on top of the toenail and under the tip.

2. Engage in normal activities and allow the lemon's natural astringent properties to remove yellow stains.

3. Rinse the toenails and dry.

References

• "Milady's Standard: Nail Technology"; Milady; 2007

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish