By the time you realize your nails are in need of some attention, things are already terribly wrong. Your cuticles are dry, your ridges are more like waves, and, wait, where did those weird yellow stains come from?
This is the time to love, not loathe, your hands. Here are a few tips we’ve learned to bring those nails back to life:
Get rid of those yellow stains. Often times your nails turn yellow because you’ve had your polish on too long. We see it more in pedicures, because people tend to not pay as much attention to their feet as their hands (out of sight, out of mind). Even if you’re unable to make it in for a manicure or pedicure, we recommend taking your polish off within three weeks. This will help avoid the yellow stains before they even have a chance to make their way to the surface!
Strengthen your nails. A common misconception is that a gel manicure is what causes nails to become brittle. In reality, leaving any type of polish on your nails for a long period of time can have the same effect. As polish chips it takes off the top layer of your nail. To keep your nails strong, it’s a good idea to take the polish off when it starts to chip so you can avoid the issue all together.
Banish those hangnails. Often times hangnails are caused by excessively dry skin, but they can also be a result of over cutting. Sometimes manicurists make the mistake of cutting healthy cuticles, which his actually counterintuitive because it actually damages the nail bed. When you stop in for your next manicure, pay attention to how the manicurist works it. Request that only the dead skin be removed and the healthy cuticle simply be pushed back.
Smooth it out. Ridges can be caused by a number of factors — genetics, lack of nutrition, and, most commonly, as a result of harsh chemicals. In addition to eating a well-rounded diet, try using a base coat to fill in the gaps, so your polish lays evenly. Also, apply a nail strengthener which will keep the nail grow stronger over time. One thing you should not do is file the surface of your nails because it thin them out. Buffing is fine, but the last thing you want to do is wear down your nail, especially if it’s already brittle.
