Nails are pretty. Paint it with vibrant colors and it adds the beauty to one’s fingers and toes. The shape, color, size, ridges, lines, and spots appearing on the nails provide an awful lot of information on the health status of an individual. Nails can, in fact, be considered as a mirror that reflects bone health.
Looking at ones nails, one can deduce the levels of personal hygiene maintained by the person and beware, it can anytime transform into a favorite dwelling place of bacteria, fungi, and yeast. (Ewww! Next time you think of raising your thumb and put it into your mouth, do think about the micro-population creeping there!)
Listed below are some of the must-have tools used for manicure and pedicure — and, the best part is you need not actually visit a salon for grooming your nails. A nail-cutter or a nail-clipper is the most basic tool used to clean and get the nails trimmed to give them a healthy appearance. However, nail cutter is not the only equipment used in nail care. Here are some more tools to help you get rid of those shabby nails.
Cuticle pusher
Be gentle with the cuticles! They protect the nails. Many do not know this valuable piece of information and end up removing them and thus, pave the way for infections. Cuticle pusher is a small tool that is used to push the skin away from the nails.
Cuticle nipper
So it is one thing to have a tough mind, but very different if you have tough cuticles too. This simple tool helps to move away the cuticles and the skin attached at the base of the nails. The nail paints do not bond on the skin folds present at the base of the nails. Generally, this becomes a good reason to push the cuticles apart and then use the nail polish to beautifully create a ‘nail art’.
Nail file
Who said only salons can give that smooth edge to your nails? All you need is just a nail file. A nail file gently grinds and provides the nail a smooth edge and you can shape them to your wish. Metal files and emory boards are quite common. However, emory boards are safer compared with the metal files, as the latter can be hard on the nails.
Nail buffer
You can get rid of the dull look and gift your nails a glossy appearance. Soak your nails, clean them, and then buff the nails with a nail buffer. This helps in smoothening your nails and shine consistently.
Nail brush
Once you have shaped your nails, it’s time to use a nail brush to thoroughly clean the dirt with the help of a mild soap and lather.
Don’t forget to moisturize your nails, then color it with rainbow hues, and give them a mega-watt shine.
Source: Becky Ziemba. She is a freelance blogger who likes to talk about many things like health, art, environment, leisure, entrepreneurs, and businesses through interesting, and shareable blog posts. When I am not writing, I spend my time with my two little boys. You can read more of my works here: http://medium.com/@beckyd.ziemba
Look at those pretty nails… These little inverted U-shaped formations, ‘breathing’ at the fingertips and your toes, are complex structures and perform some essential functions. It is ‘tiny’ only when compared to other body parts, but stands right along with your liver and pancreas.
Nails are biologically formed of keratin, which is an extremely tough form of protein. Keratin also forms a major constituent of human hair and even the outermost layer of the human skin. When a deficiency of protein and vitamins begin to manifest, the amount of keratin in the body produces starts declining, and it adversely affects the growth of the nails, turning the finger and toenails into shapeless cracked forms.
The point is crystal-clear. In order to have a family of healthy nails on your body, you need to have a healthy and a balanced diet. Next time, you find a pale nail on your finger or a white-spotted nail, include more of all those vitamins and minerals and the body cells would manufacture more of keratin and make sure the nails are more healthy and strong. Keratin requires an adequate amount of cysteine in the body for its structural integrity. To have healthy nails, you need to have cysteine-rich foods.
Soybeans: You probably had no idea that these small chunks had this in them! This magical food is gifted with anti-aging properties. Include soybeans in your diet and feel the magic on your hair, skin and nails. Soybean reduces roughness, splitting, and flaking in nails and gives them a healthier and stylish appearance.
Fish: Salmon, sardines and mackerel form a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid, and we can never get enough of omega-3 fatty acid. This element, which has keratin, is very important in the formation of the outermost layer of skin. Salmon is extremely rich in vitamin B12 and plays a vital role in strengthening the nails. Smoked salmon or fried, but make sure that you have it.
Sunflower seeds: Sounds nutty? It shouldn’t. Sunflower seeds are a good source of zinc and vitamin E and B6. Regular intake of these seeds results in stronger nails.
Green peas: Talk about the small and mighty… well, you have peas for that! The perfect protein punch always has peas in it. A member of the legume family, peas contains beta-carotene and is also a rich source of vitamin C. Include these legumes in the diet — either frozen, canned, or dried — and bolster the health and growth of your nails.
These are some tips to make your nails healthy. And, never forget to follow a healthy diet to nourish your body and remove toxins from the body to have a healthier skin, hair and nails!
Source: Becky Ziemba. She is a freelance blogger who likes to talk about many things like health, art, environment, leisure, entrepreneurs, and businesses through interesting, and shareable blog posts. When I am not writing, I spend my time with my two little boys. You can read more of my works here: http://medium.com/@beckyd.ziemba
I know that many of you love gel manicure due to its durability. And sometimes, I get questions such as how to remove this gel polish. Well, you actually can remove your own gel polish manicure/pedicure at home with these easy steps.
You can make your own foil wraps with aluminium foils and cottons. But you have to cut them one by one. To save time and energy, you may also buy pre-cut removal foil wraps with attached absorbent pad. They are economical and easy to use.
Place pad over gel and wrap finger. For faster removal, cover hands with plastic gloves and warm towels.
Check first finger after 15 minutes; if necessary, resaturate pad, rewrap finger and check every 5 minutes. Gently push off gel with cuticle stick.
Wash hands.
If you experience any sensation during removal (e.g. pressure, squeezing, pinching), remove wrap and gently file surface of gel only along side walls with fine 240-grit nail file. Gently push off as much gel color as possible with cuticle stick. Resaturate foil wrap, rewrap nail and continue soaking.
This cuticle revitalizer oil pen is a great tool to be in your bag this winter. Cold and dry season really dries out the cuticle and skin, making them thirsty for extra moisturizer. With this cuticle oil pen, you can rehydrate them easily any time, any place.
So anything special with this cuticle oil pen? Yes. The oil inside the pen is a unique natural revitalizing complex blend of fruit extract, calcium, safflower oil and vitamins to nourish, moisturize and protect the cuticle and nails. Vitamins B-5 will penetrate the nail surface and carry calcium and vitamins to the nail matrix.
The application is easy. Just twist the pen and brush the oil on your cuticle. Then massage gently. Do it whenever necessary. The cuticle oil pen comes in 6 flavors: Rose, Blueberry, Lemon, Lavender, Aloe and Orange. It’s $4.95 each. Available at Esther’s Nail Center, your online source for safer nail polish, nail art, manicure pedicure supplies and nail information.
It’s interesting to know what your fingernails tell about your health. Dr. Susan Evans, chief of dermatology at the Skin Care Physicians of Beverly Hills appeared on the Today Show to discuss what to watch out for regarding sudden changes in the color, texture and shape of our nails. For example, Clubbing — Expansion in the tip of the finger could be a sign of pulmonary problems. Pitting — Small, linear indentations in the nails might be a sign of autoimmune disease.
I’d like to share an interesting article about caring your natural nails, especially in this winter season, just to remind us once again. The article titled “From neglected to natural nails” is available here. I have to admit that I don’t take care of my nails as diligently as I should. With a baby and a bunch of house works. I have to constantly wash my hands, but forget to apply lotion or oil to my neglected hands and nails. So this is a good reminder for me as well.
