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/

Nail Care Tips: Do You Know These Important Do's And Don'ts?

Applying the nail care tips below will help you maintain your fingernails in prime condition.

As our fingernails are so noticeable and convey a message about us to everyone we meet, it is essential we take just a little time and educate ourselves on how to care for them well.


What follows is a list of nail care tips divided into do's and don'ts:

Nail Care Tips: The DO'S

DO drink plenty of water each day. It's good for your general health and a well hydrated body contributes to healthy nails. Cracked nails may indicate the need for greater fluid intake.

DO apply varnish remover before applying nail polish. This removes any grease on the surface of the nail and gives extra life to the nail polish, so make sure you do this regardless of whether there is old polish on your nails or not.

DO take vitamin supplements unless your doctor advises otherwise due to other health considerations. Vitamins A, C, E, and B12 are especially important. Additionally, calcium, zinc, iron, protein, and folic acid will help avoid white marks appearing on the nails and prevent nails from becoming brittle. Research the foods you need to provide you with these essential vitamins and supplements.

DO use a good quality buffer preferably once a week, no more than twice a week. Be sure not to buff too vigorously and not for too long to avoid damaging the nail. Just a brief gentle buff before applying nail polish can help prevent the polish from peeling due to a rough or uneven surface on the nail.

DO use a soft nail file rather than an emery board. Emery boards can be too rough and damage the nail easily unless used with great care. Better to use a soft cushion nail file and wash it regularly for repeated use. It almost goes without saying, metal nail files are a definite NO NO!

DO wear protective gloves when doing any work that requires the hands to be submerged in water or come in contact with chemicals. Preferably use gloves with a cotton lining so they remain dry inside. Fungus loves a moist environment.

DO give attention to the cuticles regularly, using a moisturizing cream often to avoid the cuticles from drying out. Overgrown and ungroomed cuticles can adversely affect nail growth.

Nail Care Tips: The DON'TS

DON'T file backwards and forwards as this can cause splits in the nails which become even worse if water penetrates after hand washing. Rather use a gentle one way stroking action with the file along with a little patience.

DON'T file the corners of the nail as this can weaken them and make them more susceptible to breaking. File straight across in a way that produces a soft, oval shape. Pointed nails break easily.

DON'T file nails when they are wet. Make sure they are completely dry.

DON'T use varnish remover and reapply nail polish more than once or twice a week. Preferably select a varnish remover that contains moisturizers to avoid the nails drying out.

DON'T use your nails to scratch hard surfaces, pick at an object, remove staples, or serve as a digging tool. Just take a minute to get a proper tool for the job and avoid sacrificing your nails!

DON'T over manicure the cuticles as this can damage them causing them to thicken and overgrow.

DON'T ever cut the cuticles or use metal or sharp objects to push them back. Purchase the proper tool for the job, an Orange Stick. Hold it at an angle and gently push the cuticles back without damaging them. Using a cuticle remover first will help make the job easier and avoid damaging this sensitive skin.

After a nail care session, conduct a little test. To see how smooth your nails really are run them down an old pair of tights or pantyhose. Any snags will help you locate the nail that needs further attention.

The nail care tips listed above require some time and effort and perhaps initially a small investment to obtain the necessary professional tools. However, once you have them and get into a nail care routine, the benefits will make it all worthwhile.

You will feel confident and flash your nails with pride.

By: Mike Jones

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