VLCC Institute how to take care for your nails
                     How to take care for your nails
• Nail care – the maintenance of the fingernails and toenails, is important for health as 
well as cosmetic reasons. Good nail care can prevent fungus infections of the nail, 
painful ingrown fingernails and toenails, and infections of the skin in the hands and 
feet. Nail care is especially important for those with diabetes, as infections of the feet 
in particular are dangerous.
Clean and well maintained nails not only look beautiful but also reflect the 
personality of a person. Since the nails are constantly growing, some people think 
that it would eventually grow back again so they tend to neglect them which is not a 
good practice as other people are stealthily observing their cleanliness. Clean hands 
and proper nail care are reliable ways to know if a person is hygienic. So, it is 
required to take proper care of nails, upon seeing clean hands people will be 
impressed. However, nails can also get easily damaged, whether from a bad 
manicure or just the everyday wear-and-tear of life. By practicing a few simple habits, 
you can make sure your nails are strong and well maintained no matter how hands 
on you get in other areas of your life.
Trim your nails straight across
• This will help you avoid ingrown nails. Also try to cut your 
nails right after shower so that the nails are softer. If you 
would like to soften the corners or edges of your nails use a 
nail file or emery board.
• 1 Filein a consistent direction to prevent weakening your 
nails. Filing back and forth severely damages nails over 
time.
• 2 Disinfect your nail care tools every month in 70 percent 
or stronger isopropyl alcohol.
• 3 To maintain nail flexibility and prevent nail splits, 
moisturize your nails after trimming them.
Avoid harsh nail polishes
• Nail polishes that contain ingredients like 
formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate weaken 
the nail. Furthermore, repeatedly using bold 
pigmented colours can cause your nails to 
become yellowed or weakened.
• 1 If you like using bold colours, try going “all 
natural” periodically between wears to give 
your nails a break.
Use gentle nail polish remover, a base coat, 
and a top coat
• Acetone-free nail polish removers are mild 
and prevent your nail from drying out. When 
painting your nails, base coats help prevent 
your nails from getting stained. Top coats 
reduce the risk of nail polish chipping, and 
also reduces the frequency with which you 
have to remove the nail polish.
Moisturize your nails with oil to keep them 
flexible and strong
• Like other areas of your body, your nails benefit 
from hydration. Before going to sleep, try 
dabbing almond or avocado oil onto your nail 
beds and cuticles to stop them from getting dry, 
brittle, or flaky.
• 1 If you don’t have almond or avocado oil, use 
lip balm.
• 2 Cuticle moisturizers are also available for 
purchase at drug stores and beauty stores.
Add protein and omega-3 fatty acids to 
your diet
• Keratin, the protein that makes up your nails, can be better 
produced if you’re consuming more foods like fish, nuts, and beans. 
You can also try taking daily supplements like biotin and fish oil, 
which can be found at your local grocery or health food store.
• 1 Vitamin B can also strengthen your nails, zinc can help eliminate 
white spots, and iron can help stop the formation of nail ridges.
• 2 Vitamin A and C keep your nails healthy, hydrated and glossy.
• 3 The recommended daily amount of protein is .8 grams (0.0018 lb) 
per 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) of your body weight.
• 4 There is no recommended daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid keeping your nails in wet or dirty 
environments
• Conditions like that encourage the growth of 
bacteria beneath your nails, which can be 
difficult to dislodge. Furthermore, repeated 
lengthy contact with moisture can increase 
your likelihood of getting split fingernails.
• 1 If you frequently wash dishes, garden, or 
clean with harsh chemicals, try wearing rubber 
or plastic gloves that can protect both your 
skin and fingernails from undue stress.
Take steps to stop if you bite your nails
• While this can be a difficult habit to break, it’s 
important because your nails have germs and 
bacteria that can easily enter your body through 
abrasions created by your teeth.
• 1 Try protecting your nails by painting a layer of clear 
gel on them, which may be more difficult to bite 
through.
• 2 You can also try using a nail polish that tastes bitter, 
so that the nasty taste discourages you from nail 
chewing.
Refrain from cutting and picking at your 
cuticles
• While they may not always be aesthetically pleasing, 
cuticles actually protect your nail bed. Every time you trim 
your cuticles, you run the risk of giving yourself micro cuts 
that will allow contaminants like bacteria and fungi into 
your body. Those, in turn, can cause an infection.
• 1 If you absolutely need to make your nails appear more 
elongated, carefully push your cuticles away from your nail 
tips with the flat edge of a wooden stick. Avoid sharp edges 
when doing so.
• 2 It is a myth that regularly cutting your cuticles means 
they will grow faster when you stop.
Consult a doctor if your nails regularly 
cause you pain
• If your nails are healthy, they will have no spots or 
discoloration, they will be the same colour throughout, 
and will also lack craters or depressions. The cuticles 
should be present, and the nail bed should be a 
whitish-pink colour. Things like pain, swelling, or blood 
in the nail area are cause for concern.
• 1 You should also see your doctor if your nails stop 
growing out or start curling.
• 2 However, vertical ridges running the length of the 
nail are normal.
https://www.vlccinstitute.com/student-newsletter/nails-care