10 Simple Health Practices: 8. Take Good Care of Your Fingernails

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy yourself tomorrow! Here is something you can do after all your wild parties, take care of your nails.

This is one area of our body that most people, especially the men, tend to neglect and take for granted. However, just like the way you dress and the disposition you portray, fingernails also tell a lot about one’s personality. Clean and trimmed fingernails give others the impression that the particular individual is someone who is neat and meticulous, always paying attention to the smallest details. On the other hand, having dirty and jagged fingernails tends to put others off. Just like asking for a cup of coffee from an air steward or stewardess on the plane, have you seen them with dirty fingernails? Well, you don’t, do you? Here’s how to keep your fingernails looking their best:

1. Never bite your fingernails
Never ever bite your fingernails. Kick this bad habit if you are guilty of it. Biting your fingernails may damage the nail bed and invite unnecessary and harmful bacteria into your body. Moreover, biting fingernails is an awful act and it hurts your beautiful image.

2. Never use your fingernails to poke or pry things
To prevent damaging your fingernails, never expose your fingernails to potential harm. Poking and prying can cause damage to your nail beds as well.

3. Protect your nails from harsh chemicals
When washing the dishes, it is best to wear gloves to protect your fingernails from the washing chemicals.

4. Trim and clean your fingernails regularly
Always make an effort to trim and clean under the fingernails regularly. After trimming, it is good to use an emery board to smooth the nail edges for an enhanced look.

5. Moisturise your fingernails frequently
When applying moisturiser to your hands, rub some lotion into your fingernails as well. Just like your skin, fingernails need moisture too. For ladies, always remember to apply moisturising lotion to your fingernails after removing nail polish.

6. Do not use nail polish remover more than twice a month (for ladies)
Try touching up the nail polish instead of removing it. However, if you really have to, avoid using those nail polish removers that use acetone, which dries up fingernails.

Now, you might not need to spend more money on a manicure.