NAIL NECESSITIES
How to care for your nails at home
By Agnes Aui
Manicures are almost like accessories, they add a pop of colour to your everyday outfits. Some people even get manicures done specifically for dinners or events and have them removed the next day. However, having your nails done often can sometimes take a toll on them, which is why it’s important to care for your nails at home. Below are some tips and tricks we’ve compiled just for you:
1. Hydrate from the inside out
When your body is hydrated, you’ll find it easier to detox and digest food. Not only that, your skin will also clear up and your nails will appear healthier than they were before. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your body hydrated from the inside out, and to do so by following the general goal of consuming eight glasses of water a day. Trust us when we say, your nails and cuticles will thank you for this.
2. Always disinfect nail clippers, files and other at-home nail tools
Nails are notorious for housing bacteria because of how difficult it is to clean the nail underside. Besides that, most of us tend to not disinfect at-home nail tools, instead storing the unclean tools away for weeks until we require them again. It’s important to disinfect the tools we use in order to prevent infections that may possibly permanently damage our nails. All you need to do is to clean your tools with 100% acetone or hand sanitiser after every use. Make sure to dry them properly before storing.
3. Avoid pushing or trimming your cuticles
It’s a standard practice for nail salons to push and trim your cuticles. But little do you know cuticles are skin that protects the nail matrix (or nail root), which is an area beneath the cuticle where your new nail grows from. Pushing and trimming cuticles means less protection for the growth of new nails, allowing bacteria and germs to breed and cause infections. So bid farewell to wooden pushers and cuticle cutters.
4.Use hydrating nail products
If you want that extra hydration despite already using hand creams, try adding some hydrating nail products to your daily routine. Nail oils help to rehydrate post-gel nails, smooth rough cuticles and repair existing brittle nails while nail serums help to soften cuticles and strengthen fragile nails. Nail and cuticle creams are lifesavers for those who suffer from dry and cracked cuticles while doubling up as nice hand creams as well.
5.Avoid layering top coats
Many believe that adding a layer of top coat on a layer of polish every day helps to strengthen nails and allows the nail polish to last longer. Though the latter may be slightly true, layering on top coats every day doesn’t help to strengthen your nails. It only makes your existing nail polish thicker as you’re adding a new layer every day, resulting in you wasting top coats. Therefore, adding only a layer to finish off your manicure would suff ce while other nail products could help strengthen your nails instead.