Nail Care Guide

For something that’s dead, nails are important since they perform many different functions. Without them, it would be impossible to do certain things.
Nails or claws (if you want to be more specific) help animals catch and tear the food they eat. Humans who are blessed with eating utensils don’t rely on nails to eat. However, they protect the ends of the fingers and toes, and enable us pick up small things.
Some male guitarists, particularly classical and finger style players, grow long nails to serve as guitar picks and help them pluck strings. Without nails, it would also be impossible to scratch whatever itchy part you have!
Nails grow from the nail root that is found underneath the skin. They are made of keratin, the main protein in skin and hair. The hooves of a horse and bird feathers are also made of keratin. This makes the nail cells harden. As new cells form underneath, they push out the hard cells that we see as nails.
Contrary to popular belief, nails don’t grow after death since they are already dead in the first place. They appear to be growing since the skin shrinks. Neither do nails perspire since they don’t have sweat glands. What gets wet is the skin around the nails. Since they are dead, nails don’t need food or nourishment either. Their pink color comes from the tiny blood vessels underneath.
“The nail plates are dead cells and contrary to the popular belief, they don’t breathe. So they don’t require oxygen. However, the nail beds and the cuticles are live cells and they do need oxygen, vitamins and minerals,” according to the people at nail-care-tips.com.
Toenails are thicker than fingernails but the latter grow faster. It takes about four to six months for fingernails to grow back while toenails take from 12 to 18 months. In general, men’s nails grow faster than women’s nails. Young people and pregnant women also have fast growing nails.
“Seasons and weather also affect nail growth. Nails grow faster in warm climates and during daytime, than in cold climates and at night. Nails grow at different speeds on both hands. If you are right-handed, the nails on your right hand will grow faster than the nails on your left hand and vice versa. Light trauma, like typing on a computer stimulates nail growth. Well, this kind of trauma looks more like a massage actually,” said the people at nail-care-tips.com.
Nails reflect a person’s state of health. When you are sick, it will definitely show in your nails. One of the most common nail problems is onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails that can make your nails ugly and deformed. To prevent this, take good care of your nails by washing and drying them thoroughly, wearing well-ventilated shoes and synthetic socks that absorb perspiration, and using a good foot powder.
For stubborn and embarrassing fungal nail infections, try Somasin AFS, a safe and effective herbal formula that penetrates deep into the nails and surrounding tissues, and strengthens your immune system to restore your nails’ healthy look and shine.

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In my own opinion the nails on the fingers as well as on the toes actually reflect how hygienic a person is. It shows just how concerned a particular person is when it comes to cleanliness. With the busy schedules most women may be leading, it is common for most to neglect having their nails get the regular manicure and pedicure. You can actually have to die for nails at a fraction of the price and in the comfort of your own home with this nail care guide.
If you want to clean your nails it is best to remove and wipe off any nail polish that may be remaining on your nails. Soak a cotton ball with a nail polish remover or acetone and apply on nails.
Long nails are great to look at but nails of just the right length would be ideal. Cut and trim your nails with a nail cutter based on your desired length. Toe nails though are better if they are snipped short.
The nail cutter does not all the time give straight cuts so refine your nail’s cut with the use of either a nail file or emery board whichever one you have. It is best to file in one direction instead of going back and forth which have the tendency to cause your nail to break. The direction of filing should be from the outside towards the center. A square cut that is somewhat oval in shape as well is ideal to avoid ingrown nails which can be very painful.
To remove unwanted cuticle, rub a solution of cuticle remover and gently push it with a pusher. If you know how to use a nipper, you can slowly cut them as well but you have to be extra careful because an incorrect way may cause infections. It is best to have your cuticles cut by a professional. Soaking your fingers and toes with the cuticle remover in warm water helps speed up the softening of your cuticles.
Before any color application a base coat is important to help protect your nails as well as prevent it from absorbing the color. Before applying nail color rub the bottle between your palms to prevent clumps. Apply a first coat allow to dry before doing another coat. Prevent smudges by applying nail color in a single direction. A topcoat is then applied to help maintain the shine as well as prevent chipping.

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1.    Do not subject your hands and nails to extremely hot water, harsh chemicals, and strong household cleaners. Do wear gloves.
1.    Do apply hand lotion regularly to keep the hands moisturized and aid nails that crack or chip. If nails are soft and tend to tear, avoid putting lotion on the nails themselves.
1.    Do use a cuticle cream daily or massage a dab of olive oil into the cuticles.
1.    Don’t file or buff the nails excessively. This can think and weaken nails.
1.    Do be alert to allergic reactions from formaldehyde in nail polish or acrylics in sculptured nails, tips, and nail glues. The reaction may show up as a rash or itchiness on places touched by the nails, like the eyelids, cheeks, or neck - rather than on the less sensitive skin of the hands.
Manicure Basics:
A home manicure, once you learn the basics, can be an easy weekly routine to improve the appearance of your nails and hands.
1.    File each nail with an emery board from the sides in toward the center. File in one direction only, don’t “saw” back and forth.
1.    Soak fingertips in warm soapy water to soften cuticles.
1.    Apply cuticle remover and gently push back the cuticle with the blunt end of an orangewood stick.
1.    Trim any hangnails with small nail scissors. Do not otherwise cut the cuticle, as it is the protective barrier for the growth center of the nail.
1.    Scrub nails in soapy water and clean under the nails with an orangewood stick wrapped in cotton.
1.    Dry hands and apply hand lotion.
Polish Tips:
Polishing the nails creates a finished look, but your nails will be healthier if you let them go at least one day a week without polish. Here are some tips for a professional looking polish job:
1.    Wipe nails with polish remover after the manicure to remove any residue of soap or lotion.
1.    Don’t polish the underside of the nail. When it’s time to remove the polish, chemicals in the polish remover can life the nail away from the nail bed, providing a chance for infection to develop.
1.    Apply base coat and two to three thin coats of polish, rather than one thick one, for better coverage. An additional clear top coat protects against chipping.
1.    Tidy up polish that’s strayed onto the fingers with the following tool: a moistened toothpick wrapped in a bit of cotton puff and saturated in nail polish remover.
1.    If you have to dry polish quickly, try dipping fingers carefully in a bowl of ice water.
1.    Polish nails away from direct sunlight, which may cause bubbles in the finish.

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Many of us go about our day, not putting much thought into the nails of our hands. There is most always even less put into the nails of our toes. But if we took a minute to think about all of the hard work and fun our nails contribute to daily, there would surely be more appreciation given. Our bodies have nails for the protection of our fingertips and toes, and they are also the strength at the tips to better pick up or hold, and all of the other things taken for granted.
Our nails are made of hard keratin proteins, and they rampantly grow when there are drastic changes of hormonal bouts, this is especially true during pregnancy. During the rest of the time, nails will be at their healthiest condition when we are on a good lean protein diet, and high vitamin intake of fruits and vegetables. Some of the prime vitamins for your nail’s health are B-complex vitamin foods and Vitamin A foods that are the colors of orange, yellow, or dark green. Vitamin C foods, dairy products the Vitamin E supplement are all very important for your nails healthiness, too. Zinc, sulfur and essential fatty acids are also very important to be a daily part of your nail’s health too. Omega 3 filled foods, such as fish are a must for good strong nails.
Now that you have created these beautiful nails from eating so well, they also need outer care too. Just as our hands and the rest of our bodies needs to be well nourished with purely natural essential oils, moisturizers, and lotions, so do the nails. Wash your hands and nails often during the day, and make sure to clean any dirt directly underneath the nails. After washing your hands with warm water and a gentle soap, apply a good hand moisturizer. Make sure the moisturizer or lotion is gently rubbed into the cuticles and around the nails, so to keep the cuticles soft and moist. This will keep the hang nails at bay, and the nails nourished to hold in a healthy amount of moister.
Set aside a few minutes once or twice a week to properly trim and file your nails This is not only a beautification of appearance for your hands, but it is important for keeping any rough edges of nails removed so to not tear them, by getting them caught on various things during your busy week. When nails are caught and torn, this usually does more damage to a nail than what can actually be seen to the naked eye. So take the time to do a quick mini-manicure. It does not take long, and it is important for your nails, while also pampering yourself!

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Finding a quality nail care system is very important!
Why?
When it comes to making a good impression, well kept fingernails rank highly. Poorly kept nails are almost immediately noticed and can greatly impact a person’s image and the all important first assessment when meeting someone for the first time.
Use these 12 care tips as part of a nail care system that ensures your nails serve as a good advertisement and help build a positive image:
1. Healthy looking nails should be smooth, curved, void of any spotting, and should not have any hollows or ridges.
2. Make sure your nails are completely dry before you file them.
3. Shape your nails with a fine emery board; do not use any type of metal file.
4. When filing, try to keep the shape of your nails oval not pointed, thus making the nails less susceptible to breakage.
5. The cuticle acts as a seal between the finger and the nail. Gently exfoliating the dry, rough, cuticle skin layers by actually sloughing off the dead outer layers exposes new and vibrant skin.
6. This new healthy skin protects the nails matrix which is the growth center of the nail and should be treated with care.
7. Don’t over manicure your cuticles. Over-grooming the cuticle damages the cuticle and causes it to thicken and overgrow.
8. Never use metal or sharp instruments on your cuticles.
9. Wear rubber gloves if your hands are going to be immersed in water for any length of time. Extensive periods in water can dry out the nails making them brittle.
10. Apply colorless nail polish or a nail strengthener to the tip of the nail to provide a protective shield.
11. Apply a base coat before putting on nail polish to avoid the nail polish staining the nails. Sometimes the dye in the nail polish can leave a residue and stain the nail.
12. If your nails carry stains you will need to let them grow out to remove the stain. Alternatively, lemon juice applied around the tips of the nails can remove some stains.
Nail Biting
If nail biting is a problem, setting up a good nail care system can do much to conquer the habit. Those who have the nail biting habit often neglect their hands and give up on them altogether.
As a first step, using a nail biting deterrent such as a bitter tasting coating which is applied to the nails can help. Patience is needed while nails grow out to eliminate the effects of mistreatment
Then, investing in quality nail care products as part of an overall nail care system will gradually help an individual take pride in having attractive hands.

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