Five ‘dos’ for healthy nails

Take a close look at your nails. Are they as strong as they should be? Perhaps, not. Many people don’t pay enough attention to keeping their nails clean and healthy, which can lead to brittle nails that can easily chip and split.

And if you think that manicure and pedicure are the best ways to maintain healthy hand and feet nails, then think again. Hit the nail on the head by following these five ‘dos’ for healthy nails, as compiled from inspirationail.com and mayoclinic.org.com.

Dry means strength



Your nails are always stronger when they’re dry as compared to when wet. Hence, it is essential to make sure your nails dry properly after a shower or swim. Only when dry should you trim or file them.

Vitamins are a must



Feeding your nails the nutrients they need to stay healthy is necessary. You should make sure to take daily doses of vitamins A, B and C, calcium and iron to keep your nails nourished and healthy.

Buff them up



In order to stimulate blood circulation to the area that enhances nail growth, buffing the surface of your nails is essential. Using a good buffer with a fine grit is the best way to achieve successful results.

Moisturiser protects:



Moisturising your nails helps protect them and keeps them soft and smooth. A gentle rub on your nail cuticles and surface helps in keeping them healthy.

Keeping it real 



Artificial enhancements such as acrylics and gel nails are becoming increasingly popular. However, using these products excessively deprives your nails of natural light and air, which they need to grow, and exposes them to chemicals that damage them. The best thing to do is to keep it real and avoid artificial products.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2014.

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