Nail Secrets

Nails are a style statement, like hair they too represent your personality. If your nails are dirty or shabby it reflects poorly on your hygiene. Nails should always be kept clean, whether it is your finger nails or toe nails, they should be trimmed and cleaned regularly. Nails that are out of shape, half broken, irregular size, too long or dirty are very unsightly, its a complete put off. The health of your nails reflects in its colour, healthy nails are either transparent or pink in colour since the blood stream runs below them. Nail care in the form of manicure and pedicure is very important. The word manicure comes from the latin word “manus” meaning hand and “cure” which means care.

So it literally means hand care, manicure usually involves steps like soaking the hand in some cleansing solution, massaging the hands and nails with lotion or cream to soften the skin, cutting, filling, buffing and polishing. Manicure takes care of ingrown nails, hangnails, cuticles and the stains on the nails. Though a regular manicure will ensure that you don’t have any of these problems but if you still get hang nails, you can treat them at home.

Hangnails are the small, tiny protruding skin at the sides of the nails. They are usually painful and can get stuck on anything like clothes, bags etc and get torn while pulling. Hang nails are a part of the dry skin around the nails and are common among children or adults who bite their nails.

Care can be taken at home get rid of them, they just need cutting but this should be done carefully. It is advisable to first moisturise the hands and nails with an emollient and leave it overnight. Next morning these hangnails will become softer and can be cut easily.

Ensure that you sterlise the scissors before use. Ingrown nails are another problem, they are caused due to the pressure of the nail against the skin on the sides of the nail. Avoid wearing footwear which is too tight and uncomfortable, also regular pedicure should help since this condition occurs in toe nails.