Our nails need as much attention and care as any other part of our body. Healthy nails are a reflection of how we up
keep ourselves. Healthy nails do not always require expensive manicures or pedicures; we can follow some home
care tips for nails. We can have healthy nails by taking regular care of them and eating healthy diets that keeps nails
strong.
Over exposure to water or excessive hand washing can make nails brittle. Even harmful washing detergents or soaps
make nails very fragile and they break easily. This can lead to uneven edges and peeling off the nails. Sometimes not
having proper diet also makes nails weak and brittle. Always have a balanced diet that consists of all necessary
nutrients required to keep nails strong and healthy.
Follow the below mentioned simple home care tips to keep your nails strong
1. Wear gloves- When we expose our nails to excessive water or harmful chemicals then our nails become weak and brittle. We can wear hand gloves while washing dishes or doing dusting of the house which involves usage of soaps and sprays. Wearing gloves will keep our hands and nails protected from the harmful chemicals and unnecessary exposure to water. Try not to soak your hands in water for long durations.
2. Keep them short- It is always better to have short nails as compared to long nails. Short nails require less maintenance as they are very easy to clean. There are less chance of dirt getting accumulated under short nails. They do not even break easily and also looks neat. Having short nails helps keeps all harmful bacteria at bay.
3. Avoid artificial Nails- Getting artificial nails is the latest trend to look glamourous but it has a downside as
well. Not only they weaken the nails due to the attaching method and use of glue, they also accumulate lot
of dirt under them which can be the breeding grounds of lot of bacterial infections.
4. Have a good diet- The healthy diet is not only essential for the entire body but also for healthy nails. Incorporate natural sources of vitamins, minerals and proteins for the growth of strong nails. If due to any reason one has weak nails, then they can include supplements like biotin after consulting your doctor.
5. Keep yourself hydrated- Drinking enough water allows nails to retain the moisture. This prevents nails from
breakage and peeling off.
6. Take care of cuticles- One of the reasons why manicures should be minimized is that they push the cuticles back. This can damage them and open the nail bed for infections. It is advised to keep your nails well moisturized as that forms the protective layer for keeping nails strong. There are cuticle creams available which moisturize very well and prevents nail breakage.
7. Avoid hand sanitizer- With the onset of the pandemic we have started using lot of hand sanitizer, they are
very harmful for skin as well as nails. Try to wash hands with soap and water. Also, if you are using hand
sanitizer try to avoid usage on the nails.
With inputs from Rajesh U. Pandya, Managing Director, KAI India.
