Nails Reveal Your Character

It may take weeks, months or even years before you can truly know someone but our ancestors had a shorter way of judging people: they simply looked at their fingernails.

If you want to discern a person’s character, then the best place to start is by looking at his or her fingernails, according to Barkham Burroughs who wrote this “useful” guide in 1889. Some of his wacky insights include: White marks indicate misfortune so better avoid that person. Pale or lead-colored nails are found in melancholy people while broad nails mean that person is shy, timid, and gentle.

People who quest for knowledge are said to have round nails. A quarrelsome and ambitious nature is supposedly evident in those with narrow nails. Burroughs said conceited people have small nails while those who delight in war have red and spotted nails. If you have ingrown nails, consider yourself lucky for you enjoy the fine things in life and have good taste!

The day in which you cut your nails was also believed to have an effect on your future. In “A Dictionary of Superstitions” edited by Iona Opi and Moira Tatem, we get the following advice: Cut them on Monday, you cut them for health; cut them on Tuesday, you cut them for wealth; cut them on Wednesday, you cut them for news; cut them on Thursday, a new pair of shoes; cut them on Friday, you cut them for sorrow; cut them on Saturday, see your true love tomorrow; cut them on Sunday, the devil will be with you all the week.”

Today, we know that nails reflect our state of health and they mirror certain diseases. Deep horizontal grooves often indicate a serious illness while discoloration, thinning, thickening, brittleness, small white spots, and flatness can result from nutrient deficiencies, a drug reaction or poisoning or local injury.

“Doctors often look at nails to see how healthy a person is. Pink nails show that the person has enough iron in their blood and that the blood is circulating well around the body,” according to the Child and Youth Health web site of the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service in South Australia.

When fungi invade the nails, the resulting infection is called onychomycosis or ringworm of the nails. This occurs in two to 18 percent of the population worldwide and is common in people over 60. Onychomycosis is often caused by fungi called dermatophytes which are responsible for 90 percent of cases. This leads to thickened, discolored, streaked or spotted nails.

“A fungal nail infection can make wearing narrow or tight shoes, walking, or standing for long periods of time uncomfortable and in some cases painful. Over time, a fungal nail infection can cause permanent nail damage. As it invades more of a nail, it becomes more difficult to cure. An untreated nail infection can also spread to other nails and skin,” said the editors of WebMD.

Antifungal pills may be prescribed for severe cases but they can be expensive and cause serious side effects. What’s more, not all of them work. Some of the newer oral antifungals are safer and more effective but still take time to work. A better alternative is Somasin AFS, the safe and natural way to get rid of stubborn nail infections.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Martin

Nails Are A Great Health Barometer

For alternative health physicians, fingernails are an excellent barometer on how well you are absorbing nutrients from the food you eat. So if you have a poor diet, it stands to reason that your nails won’t be in good shape.

Common problems include white spots, ridges and brittleness and if you suffer from these problems, these steps will show you how to obtain healthy nails.

If you are suffering from a fungal infection (causing abnormal growth, extreme brittleness, discolouration) and want to know how to obtain healthy nails

- it can be difficult to remove from the nail and the nail bed. The initial course of action will be anti-fungal medication from your doctor, then follow up with our suggestions below.

Nutritional deficiencies

If you want healthy nails, first understand that nails in poor condition are an indication of a nutritional deficiency.

White spots can indicate a zinc deficiency, ridges in the fingernails can indicate iron and/or a calcium deficiency and brittle nails can indicate a deficiency of the sulphur-containing amino acids.

A nutritional program for healthy nails

* Supplement with the base line nutritional program of all 90 essential nutrients - vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Out of all of these, plant derived minerals produce excellent results in terms of stronger nails and rapid growth.

* Treat the fingernail problems directly with a supplement containing gelatine – especially important for vegetarians.

* Digestive enzymes before meals to improve the absorption of nutrients.

You should begin noticing results within a couple of weeks!

By Paul Newland

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Newland

Do You Still Bite Your Nails?

Woman just love taking care of themselves, it is a fact. Having all the latest products on the market is a must, but how many times do the little things that matter, actually get left out? The nails are one of the most ignored parts of the body, and worse, many women bite their nails.

Why Biting Your Nails Is Not Good For You:

Not only is biting your nails unhygienic, but if you do bite them, they are likely to grow back really jagged and uneven.

Do you know that when you bite your nails, you are ingesting a lot of germs? Studies have shown that under your nails, there is more bacteria there than if you were to lick a toilet seat. You definitely would not lick a toilet seat, so why bite your nails? Some men also find women who bite their fingernails, a turn off!

Imagine this scenario, you have taken a date home and things have progressed. You are running your hands through your dates hair, and all the sudden they notice your finger nails all chipped, broken and covered in dirt. They are hardly likely to find that a turn on, and they probably will not want to see you again.

The state of your nails can be an indicator of your overall general health, and if you use your hands a lot, especially whilst speaking, many people will see the state of them. With just a bit of care, your nails will thank you in the long run and it will be so much healthier for you than putting all that bacteria into your mouth. However, in order to look after your nails properly, you will need to understand them a little bit more and know what they need.

What is a Nail and How Can You Care For it?:

A nail consists of a hard protein called Keratin. They are basically on our fingers to protect them from any kind of trauma, and they even help to pick up small objects. Women see their nails more of a cosmetic purpose however, and they often have manicures to make them look their best.

Manicures are actually good for the nail, and as well as looking good, they also help to keep the nail healthy. In order to get the most out of your nails it is essential that you see a professional manicurist, instead of trying to do it yourself.

Basic hygiene is also not hard to do, yet it will keep your nails really healthy. Moisturizer is essential in aiding with the condition of your hands and nails, and you can buy specially designed polish which strengthens the nails. A good nail brush also comes in handy and using soap with it will really help to get rid of any bacteria.

However, do not take that as a sign that you can now safely chew your nails. If you do have a problem with not being able to stop biting your nails, there are special products on the market which taste horrible, which are designed to stop your habit.

If you do not take proper care of your nails and you simply carry on biting them without cleaning them, you are potentially likely to get infections and cold sores within the mouth. Even if you have been doing it for years, the risk is always there that you will pass something on into the mouth. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

Overall, it really is so much better for your health if you stop biting your nails. They will look so much better, and you will not have to worry about putting off a potential date either! Usually nail biting is simply a habit, and with little work, it can be cured.

By: Louise Forrest

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Nail It - Here’s To Healthy And Beautiful Nails!

There is no substitute for a healthy diet as you are what you eat. Radiant health shows not only in the rosy glow of your skin and the healthy bounce of your hair, but also in the vitality of your nails. When the balance of health is disrupted, the first signs actually appear on your nails.

Have a look at your nails. Are they discolored, brittle or jagged around the edges? If they are, you just may not be getting the right nutrients into your body despite eating well and consuming supplements.

Here are a few tips that will help you have great nails and good health.

Nail Nutrition 101

* Water, the essence of life, is a must in your diet. Consuming enough water and other liquids is vital if you want to avoid chips and cracks in your nails. Fresh carrot juice is excellent for strengthening nails, as it is rich in both calcium and phosphorous.

* Broccoli, onions, soy and papaya are rich in sulphur, biotin and silicon – essential in nail-building materials. Do eat more servings of vegetables and fruits at meal times as this boosts your intake of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which will keep shabby looking nails at bay.

* Ensure a healthy daily intake of calcium, protein and zinc. White bands and spots on your nails are a clear indication that these elements are lacking in your system. They also tend to make your nails look diseased, so do include these basic nutrients to add a glossy sheen to your nails.

* Consider including royal jelly, spirulina and kelp in your intake. These supplements are rich in silica, zinc and vitamin B, which help nails grow strong and healthy.

* Do not forget to include protein, folic acid and the all-essential vitamin C in your dietary intake because a depletion of any one of these nutrients can cause very painful episodes of hangnails – the annoying, little triangular splits of skin around the fingernails.

* Curved and darkish looking nails can be avoided by ensuring a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 in your system, while reddish-looking skin around your cuticles may indicate that something is not quite on par as far as your metabolism rate is concerned.

Facts To Remember

You can tremendously improve the health of your nails by remembering that the greatest foes of healthy nails are harsh detergents and water.

This deadly combination actually causes stress upon nail fibres, which eventually lead to split or brittle nails. The best thing you can do – and do religiously – is to don a pair of rubber gloves while you clean or do the dishes.

You should also know that filing the corner of your nails is a big no-no. This will weaken the nails and they will break more easily as a result. So if your manicurist insists that the latest trend requires you to file those corners, then it’s about time you change your nail care attendant.

By: Ben

Article Source: http://www.articles411.com/

How To Remove Acrylic Nails

Getting acrylic nails at the saloon can get pretty pricey, as is having them removed there. Thankfully you can do both at home these days. To add your own acrylic nails, purchase a kit in the drugstore. Once you grow tired of them, here’s how to remove them at home.

You can remove acrylic nails two different ways. You can purchase a professional acrylic nail removal kit at your local drug store, or you can invest a dollar or two in a large bottle of nail polish remover. Make sure you buy a kind that has acetone in it, not one of the gentler nail polish removers on the market these days.

Lay out several pages of newspaper on your kitchen table to prevent spills. Keep several paper towels close by as well to wipe off nail polish, dry your hands off and put the acrylic nails on as they come off.

Clip your nails as short as possible to make the process easier. Next apply some petroleum jelly to your fingers (except the nails) to prevent your skin from drying out completely during the soaking.

Pour the entire bottle of nail polish remover in a bowl. Warm it up in the microwave to make the process faster and easier. Soak your fingernails for about 15 to 20 minutes. The acrylic nails should start to come apart from your natural nail at this point. Gently peel them back a little and soak longer if they still seem pretty attached. Repeat this process until you can easily peel the entire acrylic nail off. Don’t force it, or you risk ripping your own nail out of the nail bed, which is very painful.

Wash your hands several times when you’re done to get all the acetone off. Use a good hand moisturizer. The acetone dries your skin out. Your nails will look very rough from the acrylic coming off. Use a nail buffer to smooth them out. They’ll start looking better after a few days.


By: Mila Sidman

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/

What is a Manicure?

By: Heather Colman

A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands. A manicure can treat just the hands, just the nails, or both. A standard manicure usually includes filing and shaping of the nails and the application of polish.

As part of the manicure, treatments for hands usually include soaking in a softening substance and application of hand lotion. The word "manicure" comes from the Latin manus, meaning "hand," and cura meaning "care".

The process for a manicure begins with ensuring that the working area and tools are sanitized and conveniently located. This might include sanitizing the working surface, such as a table top, placing clean metal implements into a jar with sanitizing liquid, and having sanitized towels and such near the working area.

Normally a manicure starts with sanitizing of the subject's hands. Old nail polish or artificial nails are removed. The hands are then cleaned with soap and hot water and rinsing with hot water.

During the next phase of a manicure, the fingernails are then trimmed and filed to the desired length and shape using a fingernail file. Metal nail files can be used for rapid removal of nail material, however, fine glass files are preferred. Disposable two-sided emery boards can also be used.

Proper filing technique starts with the file at the outer edge of the nail, moving towards the center. This is repeated from the other side of the nail to the center. The file should not be moved back and forth in a saw-like motion.

The cuticles are then pushed back with a cuticle pusher. A cuticle pusher is simply a wooden stick with a flat end, sometimes wrapped in cotton. Metal cuticle pushers should be used with great care, as they can damage the fingernail matrix. Orangewood is the preferred material because of its softness.

In this phase of the manicure, the fingernails are polished with a polishing board made of hard foam, paper, or plastic. A softer foam layer is added to each side, and fine polishing surfaces are placed on the foam.

To conclude the manicure, in most cases, the manicurist applies at least one layer of either clear polish meant to strengthen weak nails or several layers of color polish and top coat. A manicure is usually finished with a hand massage using hand lotion or oils.

Article Source: http://www.thearticlezone.com

Nail Style Trends In 2007

Have you been looking at people’s nail style these days? Well, things have changed a bit for 2007 and there are new styles and colors that are all the rage. If you have been to a salon to buy some OPI nail polish or some Essie nail polish then you have probably seen the new summer colors and are aware of what the styles are for this summer. If not there is no reason for you to be concerned because the nail style trends for 2007 will be explained to you right now so you know how to paint your own nails in case you don’t have the time or the budget to get a weekly manicure.

First of all, one of the new colors that is really in is a dark purple almost black color. Women of all ages are painting their fingernails this shade and really enjoying the way the dark, deep color makes their hands look. This trend has been going strong all of the early months of 2007 and it appears that it will remain popular throughout the summer months.


Another nail style trend in 2007 is the French manicure. This style has been going strong for years and it remains a beautiful look for the summer of 2007. Many brides and bridesmaids choose this classic and elegant look for weddings as it looks beautiful in both pictures and in person. This is a wonderful look that can go from work to play and back again in no time not to mention you can paint over it if you decide you want a specific color. French manicures appear to be one of the favorites for 2007.

Nail art is also in style this year and pretty much anything goes. If you want flowers painted on your nails or if you prefer some kind of swirl design then that is what you should get. Just having a design painted on your nail makes you part of the “in” crowd and everyone will admire your beautiful nails.

If you aren’t quite sure what you think would look best for your daily nails or else a special occasion then go to a nail salon and set up an appointment for a manicure. Doing this will allow you to see how your nails are formed and shaped and then painted. Plus, you can ask the professional what is in style and what would look best with your lifestyle. Then, you will have beautiful nails that are complimented everywhere you go!

By: Natalie Aranda

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

How Often Should You Look After Your Nails And How To Prevent The Most Common Nail Problems

There are quite a few different problems which can occur with our nails. Uncared for nails can easily become brittle, split and white spots can often appear.

It can be hard knowing how often you should care for your nails and what you should do. However, with a little time and effort you will notice that looking after your nails really does not have to be overly hard.

How Often You Should Look After Your Nails:

As a general rule, your nails should be looked after every single day. Simple hygiene such as using a nail brush and mild soap and water daily is not really a chore and it only takes a few minutes of your time. On top of that there are also other things you can do weekly including:

Removing any old nail polish by moistening a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Press the cotton to the nail for just a few seconds to soften the polish and prevent any rubbing of the nail. In one firm movement move the cotton from the base of the nail, right up to the tip and then repeat until the polish has all come off.

Next shape the nail by using an emery board. It is better to file the nails from the corner to the centre, though you should not file the actual corner itself. It is important to not run the file up and down the nail as this can cause ridges and other potential problems with the nail.

The next step is to soak the hands in warm water for up to a few minutes, in order to remove any built up dirt and bits of nail from the filing that was just done. Use an orange wood stick to clean under the nail.

Many people like to push their cuticles back but generally it is better to leave the cuticle where it is. If you are unsure as to where the cuticle in the nail is, it is basically the skin which grows from the finger onto the base of the nail. Not pushing the cuticle back helps to prevent infections.

Although you can buy different top coats and base coats, it is thought that a clear nail polish does exactly the same job and so it is cheaper to just apply clear nail polish first. Next choose whichever color you want for your nails and apply. Leave them to dry and then apply another layer of clear nail polish as a topcoat to seal the color in and to prevent chipping.

It is recommended that you visit a professional manicurist every six weeks in order to keep your nails extra healthy. Some good tips for caring for your nails include not using nail polish remover more than once a week. Nail polish remover can cause the nails to dry out and crack and split. Also, after washing your hands always apply lotion or moisturizer to the nails in order to keep them well lubricated and protected.

White spots often occur on the nails and they are generally nothing to worry about. Whilst they can indicate a problem with nutrition, most white spots are caused by rough manicures and too much force applied to the nail. In this case they should grow out on their own and you should make a note to yourself to be extra careful with your nails in future

Also ridges are another common problem which are usually caused by too much pressure on the nail. Some ridges are also down to hereditary factors and these can only be controlled by smoothing them down using a buffer. If the ridges have only just occurred they can be a symptom of anemia and so it is always better to consult your doctor.

Overall, looking after your nails need not be a chore. It does not take long to scrub under the nails with soapy water using a nail brush, and having a manicure once every six weeks can actually be quite fun. So, look after your nails daily and you should not have many problems!

By: Louise Forrest

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Do You Want Beautiful Nails? Do Something About It!

Some people are born with beautiful nails. But, more women keep their nails looking beautiful with nail polish and other treatments like Rejuvacote and those offered by Nailtiques. With so many outstanding products on the market there is no reason for your fingernails not to look beautiful at all times. Even if you have weak, brittle nails there is still hope for you. Consider the advantages offered by the following treatments and see which one is best for you!

Nailtiques
There are many different types of Nailtiques products and treatments. They are all specifically designed to improve and enhance the appearance of fingernails and skin. Most of the Nailtiques formulas are designed and formulated to improve the condition of fingernails. Nails that are dry, flaky, that chip or peel, are no match for the treatments by Nailtiques. It takes seeing to believe, but after you use the Nailtiques products you will find your nails are repaired, healthy, and beautiful like you always dreamed of.

Rejuvacote
If you have been wearing acrylic nails for some time, or even a short period of time, you know how thin and brittle your natural nails can become. Your natural nails actually become so thin that they are flimsy and can easily break, crack, or peel. But, Rejuvacote rescues your nails. No matter how bad your nails are after wearing acrylics you can use Rejuvacote and see significant results in no time.

Nail Polish
There are all sorts of nail polish you can choose from. There are nail polishes that simply add color, there are others that treat a specific problem like weak nails, and there are still more that have a combination effect. You may have a favorite nail polish, most women do, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try out some other nail polish brands, either. There are some outstanding types of nail polish you can choose from. In fact, there are all kinds of nail polish that are probably better than yours so try some of the salon brands and see which ones you like best!

Gorgeous Hands at Last
Using products like Rejuvacote, Nailtiques, and salon quality nail polish will result in you having gorgeous hands in just a few weeks. You may never have imagined that you could have beautiful hands, but with these treatments you can!

By: Sally Hart

Article Source: www.iSnare.com