Have we all been neglecting our fingernails?
Okay, maybe just some of us?
These slabs of keratin do a lot for us, so heres how to keep them clean and healthy.
When your nails are short, theyre less likely to break or bend, and easier to keep clean.
I also find I make fewer typos when my nails are short, so there are benefits all around.
For fingernails, follow the shape of the nail in a gentle curve.
If trimming leaves sharp edges, sand them down with a nail file.
Some trimmers have a nail file built in, or you may prefer an emery board.
Toenails have a few extra considerations.
First, consider buying a toenail trimmer, which is heavier duty than a standard fingernail trimmer.
Instead of trimming them in a curve, cut them straight across.
Hangnails are made of dead skin, so its safe (and wont hurt) to cut them.
Rip off a hangnail, and you’re free to end up with a tiny open wound.
Cuticles serve a specific purpose: sealing your skin to your nails to keep out dirt and germs.
Cutting them off thwarts that purpose and increases your risk of infection.
To take care of the skin around your nails:
Moisturize!
(Dont overthink thisany lotion is fine.)
Dont rip off hangnails; cut them carefully.
Ahangnail nipperis the best tool for the job.
The American Academy of Dermatologyrecommendsnot using it more than twice per month.
When you remove nail polish, thats a perfect time to rub a moisturizing lotion onto your nails.
Red and orange nail polishescan discolor your nails.
Use a base coat (a layer of clear polish) underneath to prevent this.
If theyre already yellowed, stop using the polish and theyll return to normal in a few weeks.
The AAD hastips for minimizing the damageif you do like to get gel manicures.
To keep your skin safe, apply some broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands before your appointment.
Better to let your nails breathe free and give them a chance to heal.
