Featured photo by Manu Camargo
Thanks to social media celebs like Kylie Jenner nails are getting a lot more attention these days, especially during the summer sandal season. Nails Magazine also reports that 92% of nail techs are now on Pinterest and Instagram, tempting us with their latest creations and inspiring DIYers.
Now that the countdown to summer has begun many of us are scrambling to get our nails looking better. Even if you’ve dealt with thin, brittle nails your entire life there are ways you can get healthier nails in the next month.
Opt for Nail Wraps and Press-ons Instead of Acrylic Extensions
One of the most damaging things a woman can do to her nails is get acrylic extensions. They may look great at first but underneath the surface, your real nails can weaken and split. Plus, acrylic nails involve a lot of expensive upkeep. Women often note they have to go through a long recovery period after getting acrylic nails for an extended period.
If you just can’t wait to get healthy looking digits, there are better options to choose from while you’re growing out your nails. Two options worth trying are nail wraps and press-ons nails. Dashing Diva has a huge selection of press-on nails and no-heat nail wraps in tons of fun colors. They give you a little extra length and a salon finish for a fraction of the price without damaging your nails.
Use Gentle Polish and Remover
The nail polish and remover you use can also make a difference. For starters, the polish chemicals on your nails can leach into your body. While polish can sink into porous nails, harsh removers can strip the surface of your nails.
Using wraps and press-ons can help you avoid these problems altogether as does choosing the right nail products. If you’re going to paint your nails use a clear coat as the base. Also swap the abrasive acetone polish remover for a natural option that’s much gentler on your nails. For clean, healthy nails try a vegetable-derived remover that’s infused with vitamin E.
Skip the Piercings
One of the latest nail trends for Spring/Summer 2017 is nail piercings. It’s a cool, edgy way to add bling to your nails, but it’s an easy way to do damage. You’re putting a hole through your nail, which significantly increases the likelihood of it breaking. Instead of a piercing use nail charms and loose jewels to add sparkle.
Keep Cuticles Moisturized
The cuticles also need to be healthy if you want your nails to grow long and strong. Cuticles are skin that covers your nail growth matrix where all the growing occurs. This thin layer of skin provides essential protection for the growth matrix, which means you have to protect your cuticles.
Never, ever cut your cuticles on your own. Dermatologists have warned it does nothing for your health and can actually cause an infection. Instead, keep your cuticles clean and moisturized. Like the rest of your skin, moisture is critical for healthy cuticles because it prevents dryness. If you have severely dry cuticles use an ointment to seal in moisture.
Eat Your Way to Healthier Nails
We all know following the basic nutrition rules will keep our bodies healthy, including our nails. Many people don’t realize our nails are an indicator of our general health. Psoriasis is a good example. The disease can make nails discolored and misshapen. Nails can also be an indicator of common conditions like osteoporosis.
What you eat can have a huge impact on the health of your nails. You can eat your way to healthier nails by adding the following nutrient-rich foods to your daily diet:
- · Nuts
- · Eggs
- · Seeds
- · Salmon
- · Beans
- · Oats
- · Green peas
Choose Your Salon Carefully
A manicure or pedicure may seem like a simple service, but it comes with health risks that can ultimately make your nails worse. Several years ago the nail industry was in national headlines after it was revealed some salons didn’t properly clean their equipment between customers. Failing to do so can lead to nail infections that are hard to get rid of and cause damage.
Also keep in mind there are currently no regulations on the use of UV lamps for gel manicures. A 2014 report in the journal JAMA Dermatology discussed the potential for skin damage due to the UV exposure. The American Academy of Dermatology also notes that gel manicures come with risks if your nails are weak or the tech doesn’t perform the service properly.
Long story short, choose your salon carefully. Make sure they haven’t received health code violations and use clean equipment for every client.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the above article. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
That we have to all appreciate the little things and to not take anything for granted.
2. What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate within yourself and/or life?
I’m blessed to have loving family and friends in my life.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? And what makes YOU most proud? Any goals and dreams that you still have?
Graduating from Arizona State University in 2013
4. We all have imperfections, so we think. The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
Nobody’s perfect and it’s been hard to accept it. I’ve learned to embrace my curly hair, my curves and my quirky personality.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!) Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my unwavering intensity. Everything I do is 100 percent.
