Every woman wants strong, healthy looking nails. Your nails are a very exposed part of your body. Fingernails contain a variety of proteins, including keratin. Nail care is a form of self-care.
The best route to stronger, longer nails is mostly through simple lifestyle habits, not pricy manicure. Some tips for taking care of your nails are:
Moisturize
It’s easy to remember to lather on a balm or lotion when we can see our lips getting chapped or our skin drying out, and it should be the same for our nails. Drier weather can cause our nails to get brittle and break easily, so using a thick lotion or oil on the nails and cuticles helps to moisturize the area. Know when to use your cuticle oils and cuticle creams. The creams are thicker and are better used just before bedtime, while the oils are great for on-the-go or freshly painted nails.
Let them breathe
While it’s hard to go without polish thanks to all of the fun colors that debut with the changing season, it’s important to let your nails breathe for at least a day or two in between color changes.
Clip your nails regularly
Regular trims are as important to your nails as they are to your hair, says Dr. Prystowsky, and make nails less prone to snags and breakage. So aim to clip them every two weeks, adjusting frequency as needed once you see how your nails respond.
Wear gloves when doing dishes
Whenever you're cleaning with harsh chemicals, gardening, or doing anything that involves soaking or dirtying your hands, you need to wear rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves with a cotton liner. Gradening and cleaning dishes in hot, soapy water sans gloves can weaken the nails.
