There is a special kind of power in having healthy, strong nails, whether your nail care is a form of self-care, an indulgence, or just routine maintenance, keeping your nails in tip-top shape is a worthwhile investment of time, not money.
Follow these steps, and you will have stronger, longer nails before you know it.
Moisturize your nails: The easiest way to maintain nail health is to keep your cuticles moisturized. While dry, brittle nails can be the result of many factors, they are ultimately a cry for moisture, so consider proper moisture the foundation of your nail care routine - so go ahead and apply extra cream.
Leave your cuticles alone: You do not have to cut your cuticles to have great-looking nails. It is the nail’s natural protective seal. Instead moisturize the cuticles with cream or cuticle oil to help protect and strengthen your nails.
File in one direction: Regardless of your nail length, filing your nails should be a regular part of your beauty regimen - file in only one direction to avoid splitting with an emery board.
Be gentle: Avoid invasively digging under your nails or peeling off your acrylic, gel nails. It really peels off layers of the nail, the nail plate, and that is going to weaken your nails.
Take your time with polish: it can be tempting to skip the base and topcoat when applying nail polish, opting instead for a one-step fast-drying polish. But base and topcoats are essential to prolong the life of your polished nails.
Finally, avoid biting your nails! It is easy to take the stress of your week out on your nails and their cuticles but biting them can lead to weak nails or more. Some tips from American Academy of Dermatology include keeping your nails trimmed short or applying bitter tasting polish to your nails.
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