Perfect nails: 20 ways to keep them healthy and beautiful

Taking care of nails is a long way from always having enameled nails. In fact, using nail polish too often and without breaks is, contrary to what many may think, harmful to nail health: the chemical components contained in the product attack and weaken nails.

Likewise, removing the cuticle can always lead to a lot of problems. In addition to removing nail protection against infection-causing microorganisms, the use of poorly sanitized pliers and spatulas in beauty salons can end up causing serious diseases due to contamination.

In addition to simple care, such as not biting your nails and keeping them clean, other habits can be adopted to ensure nail health. Contact with some types of products and even excess water cause weakening and make nails brittle.

“Sometimes it is necessary to use fortifying nail polishes and even specific vitamin pills to strengthen the nail. If the case is more serious, look for a dermatologist to prescribe nail polish, specific oils and oral treatment”, advises dermatologist Alessandra Drummond, from the Murilo Drummond Clinic, in Rio de Janeiro.

Check out ways to take care of your nails at home so they are always strong, healthy and beautiful:

1. Hydrate nails and cuticles

Hydrating nails and cuticles is a habit that helps keep them healthy, strong and beautiful. Hydration should be done at least once a week, ideally daily, applying specific products to the area in circular motions.

2. Don’t put your hands in your mouth

“Saliva is acidic and very harmful to the health of the nails”, says Heloiza Gomes, manicurist and podiatrist at Visage Coiffeur, in Rio de Janeiro. The habit should be avoided especially right after having your nails done, when they are more fragile.

3. Respect the natural shape of the nails

When filing your nails, it is important to keep in mind that the natural shape must be taken into account. Naturally round nails that are filed square, for example, are more likely to break and not grow.

4. Take a break between enamels

The enameling process attacks the nails. The ideal thing is that, after removing the enamel, the nails are for some period of rest. The indication of the manicure Heloiza Gomes is that this time is at least 12 hours.

5. Get your own manicure kit

Having your own manicure supplies – files, pliers, spatulas, etc. – is essential to ensure your health. If you don’t have your own kit and go get your nails done with a manicure, always look for places that use sterile or disposable products.

6. Be careful when filing the top of the nails

Remember that the top of the nails is more fragile. “The upper part of the nail should be sanded with special products, usually more spongy square files. The movement, in this case, must be light and delicate, just to remove possible scaling and ripples”, teaches Heloiza.

7. Avoid contact with cleaning products

Cleaning products and products that have chlorine in the formulation harm nails and cuticles. To avoid direct contact, wear gloves and closed-toe shoes when using these materials.

8. Check the nail polish expiration date

Using nail polish, foundation or extra shine that has passed its expiration date is not good for nail health. Even if the nail polish looks normal, always check the expiration date on the label before polishing your nails.

9. Do not wear shoes that pinch your foot

Tight shoes not only cause discomfort but also harm your toenails as they keep them pressed down. “The use of closed shoes must follow a rotational scheme; which means that the shoe used today must be placed in an airy place the next day, while wearing another”, teaches dermatologist Alessandra Drummond.

10. Do not pull the cuticle skin

You should not pull off any bit of skin that is bothering you. In the same way, do not remove flakes from the nails. These habits attack cuticles and nails.

11. Prefer not to remove the cuticle

Cuticles protect nails from infections caused by bacteria and fungi, so the best thing to do is not take them out. “The less you take, the less you need to take. If you don’t remove the cuticle, the tendency is for it to grow thinner and thinner”, says Alessandra.

12. Dry your nails well

Whenever you shower or wash your hands, dry your nails very well. Leaving your nails wet for a long time can cause diseases, as the environment is favorable to fungi and bacteria.

13. Avoid using latex gloves

In the same way that contact with cleaning products is harmful, gloves with latex are also harmful to nails. Also pay attention to gloves that have a “dust” on the inside: after using them, wash your hands well.

14. Prefer nail polish removers

Acetone dries out nails and is more aggressive than other nail polish removers. When choosing the product, try to opt for removers that are not made with acetone and that promote nail hydration.

15. Invest in oils for hydration

“The best way to moisturize the nail is with oils. It can be a mineral or almond oil”, suggests dermatologist Alessandra Drummond.

16. Do not leave the nail polish on the nail for a long time

It is common to be satisfied with a nail polish that lasts a long time on the nails without peeling. However, try not to leave the same enamel on your nails for too long – after all, it is recommended that they have some time without the product, to “breathe”.

17. Be careful when cutting corners

Cutting the corners of your nails longer than necessary can cause them to grow differently, causing ingrown toenails. The ideal is to cut the straight corners, both in the toenails and in the fingernails.

18. Avoid excessive contact with water

Too much water can harm nail health. In addition to drying them well after wetting them, the ideal is that the time of contact with water is not too long. Excessive contact can weaken nails.

19. Use hypoallergenic products

Anyone who has any allergic reaction to nail polish and still doesn’t want to give up nail polish should always opt for hypoallergenic products. Pay attention to the symptoms, usually itchy skin, in places that came in contact with the enamel.

20. Take care of food

Your diet will reflect on the appearance of your nails. So, in the same way that a healthy diet will result in strong, healthy and beautiful nails, a bad diet can lead to brittle, weak nails that do not grow properly.

Nail care products

Check out in the gallery below some products that can help with the care, hydration and fortification of nails.

Taking care of nails to avoid diseases and fungi, keeping them clean, is not just a vanity habit, but a health habit. Take care of yourself.