Everyday Habits You Didn’t Know Were Ruining Your Nails

1. Leaving polish on for too long: While it might seem harmless to leave chipped polish on your nails, it’s definitely healthier to remove it. “The danger with keeping your nail polish on too long is that the pigment in the nail polish can soak into the top few layers of the nail and dry it out,"makeup artist in delhi" Keep this in mind especially for toenail polish, which many women slap on and forget about until their next pedicure. Ananya Mitra’s best nail art in kalkaji recommends avoiding back-to-back polish appointments. Instead, let nails breathe for a week or two between manis. These are the things your manicurist is secretly thinking about you.

2. Not washing hands thoroughly: While we know you’re washing your hands several times a day, are you using a technique that reaches your nails? Neglecting your nails in the hand-washing process could allow bacteria to accumulate underneath, leaving the tips of your fingers prime candidates for infection. Wash hands with a clean nail brush at least once a day.

3. Using nails as tools: This list of no-nos is extensive. Never use your nails to open cans of soda or soup (use a spoon instead), pick at packing tape, unscrew a nail, scrape off price tags (try a penny), or complete any other task for which a tool has already been invented.

4. Washing dishes without gloves: “Nails swell in water, which leads to chipped nails and weakened nail beds,” makeup artist in delhi told that. Additionally, dish detergent could dry out skin and nails. Throw on a pair of cleaning gloves to protect your hands

5. Cleaning without gloves: While you don’t want your housecleaning gloves to be the same as your dish-washing ones, you will want a pair for each. Exposure to cleaning products could dry out our nails. Hint: Alcohol-based cleaners are the worst offenders.

6. Skipping your veggies: Your nails reflect the foods you eat. So if you make a habit of choosing bad ones, don’t expect picture-perfect nails. Foods high in iron (eggs, spinach, red meat, etc.), can strengthen nails. For an extra boost, add two tablespoons of flaxseed oil to your breakfast each morning.

7. Leaving nails unprotected in winter: Guess what? More gloves! When the air is dry and the temperature drops, protect your nails with a cozy pair of gloves. To add moisture to the mix, apply hand cream just before slipping them on.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

The provided text offers seven key tips for maintaining healthy nails, addressing common habits that can lead to damage or weakening. It emphasizes hygiene, protection, and proper care.

Here's a breakdown of the advice:

1. Leaving polish on for too long:
   
   • Problem: The pigment in nail polish can penetrate the top layers of the nail, causing dryness and potentially staining (especially with dark colors, as supported by search results). This is particularly common with toenail polish that is often left on for extended periods.
   • Solution: Remove chipped polish. "Ananya Mitra's best nail art in Kalkaji" (the source mentioned in the text) recommends giving nails a break for one to two weeks between manicures to let them "breathe" and recover moisture. Search results confirm that experts advise breaks to prevent brittleness, chalky white patches (keratin granulations), and potential fungal issues, particularly for toenails.
2. Not washing hands thoroughly:
   
   • Problem: Neglecting nails during hand-washing allows bacteria to accumulate underneath, increasing the risk of infection.
   • Solution: Wash hands with a clean nail brush at least once a day, ensuring the technique reaches under the nails.
3. Using nails as tools:
   
   • Problem: Using nails to open cans, pick tape, unscrew things, or scrape price tags can cause chipping, breakage, and weakening.
   • Solution: Always use appropriate tools for such tasks (e.g., a spoon for cans, a penny for price tags) instead of your nails.
4. Washing dishes without gloves:
   
   • Problem: Nails swell in water, leading to chipping and weakened nail beds. Additionally, dish detergent can dry out both skin and nails.
   • Solution: Wear cleaning gloves to protect your hands and nails during dishwashing.
5. Cleaning without gloves:
   
   • Problem: Exposure to harsh cleaning products, especially alcohol-based ones, can severely dry out nails.
   • Solution: Use a separate pair of gloves specifically for house cleaning to protect your nails from chemicals.
6. Skipping your veggies:
   
   • Problem: Nail health is a reflection of overall diet. A poor diet can lead to unhealthy-looking nails.
   • Solution: Incorporate foods rich in iron (e.g., eggs, spinach, red meat) to strengthen nails. For an added boost, the article suggests two tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily. Search results confirm that a balanced diet with sufficient protein (keratin is protein-based), biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (E, C, B vitamins), and minerals (iron, zinc) is crucial for strong, healthy nails.
7. Leaving nails unprotected in winter:
   
   • Problem: Dry air and cold temperatures in winter can make nails brittle and prone to breakage.
   • Solution: Wear a cozy pair of gloves to protect nails from the elements. For extra moisture, apply hand cream before putting on the gloves. This is strongly supported by search results, which frequently recommend gloves, regular moisturizing, and hydration from within during colder months.