How to Groom Your Toenails
Properly cleaning one's toenails is surprisingly important. The feet often travel bare on the ground and pick up germs, bacteria and dirt that get caught under the nails. If not cleaned properly, the toenails can discolor or get infections, making it embarrassing to wear flip-flops or walk barefoot in public. In order to avoid infections, groom toenails every week. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cotton ball
- Nail polish remover
- Salt water
- Soap
- Cuticle remover or olive oil
- Cuticle pusher
- Nail clippers
- File
- Buffer
- Cotton socks
Instructions
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Remove any nail polish with cotton ball and gentle polish remover. Avoid rubbing too hard as this could cause nail scratching.
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Soak feet in warm, salty water to fight against any possible infection.
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Wash your feet with some gentle soap and warm water after a few minutes of soaking. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
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Dip a cotton ball in professional cuticle remover or olive oil and gently massage the toe until the cuticles are soft. Push cuticles back gently with cuticle pusher.
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Use toenail clippers to cut down toenails straight across. Be careful not to cut so far back that it exposes the skin underneath. Cut until the skin starts for shorter nails and just above the skin for longer nails.
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Use a clean file to file down any sharp edges. Use a buffer on tops of nails briefly to smooth down the nail surfaces. Don't press hard, which could damage the nail.
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Massage moisturizer into the foot and toes to keep skin soft and smooth.
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Wear fresh cotton socks to whisk away sweat and moisture all day to prolong good toenail health.
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Tips & Warnings
Look out for any ingrown toenails or toenails with spots or other abnormalities, as these could be signs of infection.
References
- Photo Credit pedicure image by NiDerLander from Fotolia.com
