Buzz
Have we all been overlooking our nails? Maybe just a few of us? These keratin layers do so much for us, so here’s how to keep them clean and in good condition.
Keep your nails trimmed
The length of your nails is a personal choice, but most people find it’s easiest to keep nails short with a small white tip. Short nails are less likely to break or bend, making them easier to maintain. I’ve also noticed fewer mistakes when typing with shorter nails, so there are clear benefits all around.
For the optimal nail trimming experience:
Use proper nail clippers or scissors instead of whatever sharp object you can find.
For best results, trim your nails when they are wet (like after a shower).
Take several small clips around the nail's edge rather than trying to cut it all at once. For fingernails, follow the natural curve of the nail.
If there are any sharp edges after trimming, smooth them with a nail file. Some trimmers come with a built-in file, or you may prefer using an emery board.
Toenail trimming requires special care. Consider using a toenail trimmer, which is sturdier than a regular nail clipper. Instead of cutting in a curve, trim them straight across. This helps avoid the edges digging into your skin as the nails grow, which could lead to an ingrown toenail.
Be cautious with the skin around your nails
It’s fine to trim ragged skin around your fingertips—just be careful. Hangnails are dead skin, so trimming them won’t hurt. You can also lightly trim your cuticles if you’d like, though most dermatologists and podiatrists suggest leaving them alone.
The issue is that it’s easy to harm your living skin when trying to trim a hangnail or cuticle. If you rip off a hangnail, you may end up with a small open wound. Cuticles play an important role: they seal the skin to the nail, protecting against dirt and germs. Cutting them can interfere with this barrier and increase the risk of infection.
To properly care for the skin around your nails:
Moisturize! Both your skin and nails will benefit. (Don’t overthink it—any lotion works.)
Wash your hands (or feet) before trimming hangnails or tending to your cuticles.
Rather than cutting your cuticles, soften the skin by wetting it and gently pushing it back. In a salon, they’ll use an orange stick; at home, a q-tip or any clean tool will do.
Don’t yank off hangnails; trim them carefully. A hangnail nipper is ideal for this task.
If your skin is red or inflamed, treat it like any open wound: clean it and, if possible, cover it with a bandage.
Steer clear of the most harmful manicure types
Nail polish isn’t always harmful to your nails, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Nail polish remover can be tough on your nails. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against using it more than twice a month.
When you remove your nail polish, it’s an ideal moment to apply a moisturizing lotion to your nails.
Red and orange nail polishes may discolor your nails. To prevent this, use a base coat (a layer of clear polish) underneath. If your nails are already yellowed, stop using the polish and they will return to normal within a few weeks.
Gel manicures have a few downsides: they require acetone for removal, a UV lamp to cure, and can cause physical damage if they don’t cure correctly or if you chip or pick at them. The AAD offers advice on minimizing the damage for those who enjoy gel manicures.
The UV lamp used in gel manicures won’t give you a sunburn, but it does emit UVA rays, which can contribute to skin wrinkling and aging over time (and increase your cancer risk). To protect your skin, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands before your manicure session.
A fun fact I came across during my research: nail polishes with strengthening ingredients can make nails stiffer, but also more brittle, which means they could make you more likely to break a nail. Using artificial nails to cover brittle nails can also harm your natural nails, so the AAD doesn’t recommend that either. It’s better to let your nails breathe and give them time to heal.
