Healthy nails not only make your hands and feet look more attractive but also reflect your overall health. Whether you love getting your nails done at a salon or prefer to take care of them at home, following proper nail care is essential for keeping them strong, glossy, and less prone to damage. In this article, Zendith Spa will share 11 nail care tips at home to help you maintain healthy nails that you may not have known before.
Keep nails clean and dry
If your nails are constantly damp, they become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, leading to problems such as nail fungus, discoloration, or unwanted nail rot. When washing your hands or feet, use a gentle soap to remove dirt and bacteria, then dry thoroughly, especially between the nails and around the skin. Keeping your nails dry helps them stay strong, prevents unpleasant odors, and reduces the risk of infections around the nail bed. This is one of the most important nail care tips at home you should practice regularly.
Keeping nails clean and dry is a crucial at-home nail care tip.
Cut nails straight across – Nail Care Tips at Home
Cutting your nails straight across helps distribute pressure evenly when the nails experience impact, preventing cracks or excessive curvature in one area. Slightly rounding the corners also reduces the chance of snagging on clothes, which can lead to accidental breaks. This technique is also effective in preventing ingrown nails, which can cause swelling, pain, and infection. Always use sharp nail clippers to ensure a smooth cut without fraying. This is a simple yet crucial step in protecting the health of both your fingernails and toenails at home.
Cutting nails straight across not only helps prevent ingrown nails but also reduces impact stress on your nails.
Keep nails shaped and free of snags
Filing your nails removes rough edges or sharp corners, preventing them from catching on clothing and breaking during daily activities. Filing in one direction rather than back and forth keeps the nails stronger and prevents thinning at the edges. Well-shaped nails are less likely to get damaged and look more polished and tidy. This is a nail care tip at home that offers long-term benefits for nail health that many people overlook.
Keeping nails shaped and snag-free is an important step to prevent scratches and breaks during everyday activities.
Do not bite fingernails or remove the cuticle
The cuticle is a thin layer of skin surrounding your nails, acting as a natural barrier against bacteria and fungi entering the nail root. Biting your nails or cutting off the cuticle damages this protective barrier, increasing the risk of swelling, infection, and slower nail regrowth. Nail biting also leads to nail deformities and an unattractive appearance. Instead of cutting the cuticle, gently push it back with a wooden stick and moisturize with nail oil or cream to keep nails healthy and beautiful.
Not biting nails or removing the cuticle is a key home nail care secret.
Do not use your nails as tools
When you use your nails to open cans or pry objects, they are subjected to heavy pressure and bending force, which can cause chipping or even detaching the nail from the nail bed. Once nails are damaged, the healing process is slow and may lead to infection. That’s why one of the most important nail care tips at home is to protect your nails from strong impacts and avoid using them as tools. This will help your nails stay durable, maintain their shape, and remain strong over time.
Avoiding using your nails as tools helps prevent unwanted breaks and peeling.
Protect your nails from water
Prolonged water exposure causes the skin around your nails to absorb moisture and expand. When it dries, the skin contracts, weakening the nail structure and making it more prone to breakage. Water also strips away the natural oils that protect nails, leaving them dry and brittle. To prevent this, wear gloves when washing dishes, doing laundry, or cleaning, and moisturize your hands immediately afterward to restore lost hydration. This nail care tip not only keeps nails strong but also makes them look shiny and healthy.
Protecting your nails from water is an important at-home tip for both nails and skin care.
Trim toenails regularly
Long toenails are not only unsightly but can easily get caught in shoes, increasing the risk of swelling and painful nails. Overly long nails are also prone to impact during movement, which can cause nails to break easily and lead to bruising under the nail bed. Regular toenail trimming helps reduce the risk of ingrown nails, keeping your feet neat and clean. Therefore, trimming toenails regularly is known as an important foot nail care tip at home to protect your nails effectively.
Trim toenails regularly helps protect your toenails from getting stuck in shoes or growing ingrown.
Soak thick toenails before cutting
Thick or very hard toenails can easily crack or scratch the skin around the nails if cut dry. Soaking feet in warm salt water softens the keratin layer of the nails and surrounding skin, making toenail trimming quicker and easier. Soaking for just 5 to 10 minutes softens nails enough to cut easily without causing damage. This is one of the common foot nail care tips used in nail salons to facilitate the cutting process.
Soaking thick toenails before cutting is an important nail care tip at home to make trimming easier.
Wear shoes that fit properly
Wearing shoes that are too tight squeezes your nails and toes, leading to nail deformities or ingrown nails. On the other hand, shoes that are too loose allow the foot to slide inside, causing nails to repeatedly hit the shoe walls and break easily. Therefore, wearing shoes that fit well, not too tight, creates enough space for your toes and helps keep your toenails healthier.
Wearing shoes that fit properly is an effective solution to protect nails from swelling and ingrown problems.
Avoid digging out ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails often cause pain, redness, and may lead to infection if not treated properly. Digging deeply into the skin or trying to remove the nail yourself can worsen inflammation and even cause pus formation. Common causes of ingrown nails include wearing tight shoes or improper nail cutting. Therefore, wearing properly fitted shoes and trimming toenails regularly are important nail care tips at home that many people may not know.
Avoid digging out ingrown toenails provides comprehensive care for your toenails.
Wet public places are ideal environments for bacteria and fungi to thrive, especially those that cause nail fungus. Walking barefoot allows these microorganisms to enter through small cuts around the nails, increasing the risk of infection. Wearing flip-flops or sandals in public showers is a protective tip that prevents direct contact between your feet and dirty, damp floors. This simple habit is very effective in preventing nail and foot skin diseases.
Wearing flip-flops at the pool and in public showers helps reduce the risk of fungal foot infections.
Taking care of your nails is not complicated when you practice proper hygiene and protection daily. With these 11 nail care tips, you can keep your fingernails and toenails strong and naturally beautiful right at home. Maintain a regular nail care routine to preserve nail strength and minimize the risk of damage during spa nail treatments.