Fingernails are made of a sturdy, protective protein known as keratin. They are basically a covering to protect the sensitive nerves at the tips of our fingers and toes. In today’s day and age, however, they’re so much more than a practical shield-like covering. They can speak volumes about the people to whom they belong.
Fingernails with dirt caked beneath and around them indicate a person who works outdoors — perhaps gardening, construction, gathering lumber, or more. Ones that are chipped or chewed can indicate a person who experiences a great deal of stress, and the indicators of colored nailpolish are as endless as the colors people can choose from. That’s why it’s so important to take good care of your nails and use quality products, which don’t even have to be expensive if you use promo codes online.
Healthy fingernails are smooth, without ridges, pits or irregular grooves indented in them. Your nails should all be the same color (with the exception of varicolored polish, of course), and possess no spots, streaks, or discoloration. Sometimes they might develop white spots or tiny lines, which are usually caused by trauma or injury, but those should grow out with the nail so don’t worry – it’s only temporary.
Vertical ridges and dents, however, can usually be prevented by a few, simple habits that you can start picking up today.
First, fingernails should be kept clean. Whether you are a gardener or a painter, there is no reason they should be a giveaway for your occupation. Scrub dirt and grime away from areas around them, but do not keep them in water for too long. Too much wetness weakens the fingernails and makes them more prone to splitting, chipping, or breaking. After cleaning, make sure to dry your hands thoroughly to make them less susceptible to bacteria growth.
What’s more, be smart about how you trim your nails. Make sure that all the tools you use are clean and sharp to maximize the effectiveness and minimize the potential for accidents and injury. Trim your nails straight across, then you can trim or file them into a gentle curve at the tips.
Whenever you use lotion on your hands, face, or body, make sure to rub a little bit around your fingernails, especially on the cuticles. Applying nail hardener can also help to strengthen them when they’re weak, brittle, or prone to breaking.
There are also a few things that you can avoid doing to keep your nails looking their best. For starters, do not bite or chew them, and do not pick at your cuticles. Doing so is not only an embarrassing sign of nervousness or stress, but can also cause damage to the nail bed and allow bacteria to enter and grow around or beneath the nail.
Do not pull off hangnails with your fingers. Doing this more often than not causes damage to the living tissue them, and also makes you susceptible to infection.
Try to avoid harsh chemicals or nail care products. Be careful not to overuse nail polish remover. If you paint your nails on a regular basis, try to find a remover without acetone, which will be much less damaging.
Finally, do not ignore problems! Swelling and pain around the nails are clear signs of a possible infection. If you experience that, along with bleeding around the nails, separation of the nail from the skin around it, or a discoloration of an entire fingernail, call your doctor or dermatologist.
Taking care of your fingernails doesn’t have to be hard. The only thing you really need to do is be aware of them when you take care of the rest of your body, and see to it that they are not neglected.
*This is a guest post. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily my own.