Dos and don'ts for healthy fingernails

Do you maintain your nails well? To maintain the best possible condition for your fingernails, read on.
Examine your fingernails closely. Do they appear robust and well-groomed? Or are there any dents, ridges, or patches of an odd hue or shape? With good fingernail care, many undesirable nail conditions can be avoided. Others could point to a problem that needs to be addressed.

What is natural and what is not with fingernails

Your fingernails grow from the region at the base of the nail beneath your cuticle. They are made of laminated layers of keratin, a protein. Smooth, pit-free fingernails are indicative of good health. They have no discolouration or spots, and their color and consistency are uniform.

Innocent vertical ridges that extend from the cuticle to the nail tip can occasionally grow on fingernails. As we age, vertical ridges usually become more noticeable. Injury-related white lines or patches can also appear on fingernails, but they eventually grow out with the nail.

But not every nail problem is typical. See a dermatologist or physician if you observe:
• Modifications to nail shape, such as curled nails; • Color changes, such as darkening of the entire nail or a black stripe beneath the nail

• Changes in nail thickness or thickness; • Nail separation from surrounding skin; • Nail bleeding; • Nail swelling or pain; • Nail failure to grow out
Maintaining the best-looking fingernails possible involves doing the following:

• Maintain clean, dry fingernails. This stops germs from developing beneath your fingernails. Splitting of fingernails can occur as a result of prolonged or repeated contact with water. When doing housework, cleaning, or working with harsh chemicals, put on rubber gloves lined with cotton.

• Maintain proper nail care. Make use of some sharp manicure shears or scissors. After giving your nails a straight edge trim, gently curve the tips.

• Apply a moisturizer. Use hand lotion and massage it into your cuticles and fingernails.

• Put on a barrier of defense. Nail hardeners may be applied to strengthen nails.

• Consult your physician about biotin. According to some research, the dietary vitamin biotin may be able to strengthen fingernails that are brittle or weak.

Do'ts when it comes to nail care

Avoid biting your fingernails or picking at your cuticles to avoid damaging your nails. The nail bed may be harmed by certain behaviors. A small cut next to your fingernail might let germs or fungi in and lead to an illness.

• Clip off hanging nails. You could rip the hangnail and living tissue. Rather, trim off hangnails carefully.

• Apply strong nail polish removers. Use of nail polish remover should be minimized. Choose an acetone-free product for nail polish removal.

• Disregard issues. See your doctor or dermatologist for an evaluation if you have a nail issue that doesn't appear to go away on its own or is accompanied by other symptoms.

A word regarding pedicures and manicures

There are a few things to consider if you depend on manicures and pedicures to maintain healthy-looking nails. Choose salons with up-to-date state licenses, and only collaborate with technicians who hold state board licenses. Avoid getting your cuticles clipped since they help to seal the epidermis to the nail plate and removing them can cause an infection in your nails. In order to stop the transmission of illness, ensure sure the nail technician thoroughly sanitizes every instrument used during your treatment.

One may also wonder how the foot baths are kept clean. The best practice is to clean the filters on a regular basis and to use a bleach solution in between clients.
Although it's simple to ignore your nails, there are simple things you can do to maintain strong, healthy fingernails.