Tips For Keeping Nails Healthy

Keep Fingernails Smooth and Nails Healthy With These Easy Tips

With the winter months upon us, frozen toes, cracked heels, and that daily flood of slime running down the inside of your shoes (or worse, in your goddamn shoes) are all too common. Since we have to tread for a majority of the day without wearing shoes, it’s smart to take the time to ensure your feet and hands are in tip-top shape. There are a few key tips you can easily implement to help keep your bites and cuticles looking healthy and smooth.

Keep your toenails polished

Toenails look great when they’re as smooth as silk. Touching up your toenails regularly can increase the life of your skin and keep your nails healthy, so you should strive to maintain this quality as often as possible. Whether it’s spring or fall, spring and summer toenails may get more relief from your favorite shampoo than any other season, but try a regular pedicure to prevent ingrown toenails. “Change your hands weekly so the nails and skin is maintained,” said Kamil Alptekin, cosmetic dermatologist at NYC Skincare & Dermatology.

Stretch your nails every day

Leggings are in demand this season. No matter how you get them on, however, the laces up and down legs alike are going to get caught up in your socks and feet. Try stretching your nails as much as possible, even if it’s just an hour a day on the treadmill. “It shows your skin has been stretched to get to the point where the ligaments snap and the cuticles swell,” Kamil said.

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Rinse off sunscreen daily

During the Fall and Winter, it may be unavoidable to wear SPF or at least bring it with you if you’re heading outdoors. Dr. Rachel Kavanagh, founder of ESTE Clinics, told POPSUGAR, “We know from our research that UV radiation can cause melanoma within 10 years for most people.” However, if you do want to get sun-kissed, avoid tanning beds. Most modern tanning beds don’t contain chemicals harmful to the skin, which prevents skin damage, which can help prevent the development of melanoma.

Try a carbonation vitamin for an extra boost

Many people are considering a carbonation vitamin since they can typically get the same results without dousing their skin in products. Dr. Kavanagh told POPSUGAR, “Water-based formulas are your best bet.” A dash of “coqui, tetrasquat, bergamot, or even bergamot oil” will help you flush out your skin and keep it hydrated. With spring only a few months away, you should consider trying this on your feet too.

Get in the sun safely

Treat your cuts with good care and you’ll be fine. Your skin is resilient and can recover from wounds faster. To keep your skin safe, avoid time in the sun, especially on your heels, as this can cause excessive damage. Dr. Kavanagh recommends daily use of creams containing collagen to protect your delicate skin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing loose-fitting clothing during outdoor activities so you can more easily see the skin you’re working in.

Keep your nails varied

With all the tips to care for your body, there is no reason to neglect your nails and cuticles. Keep cuticles crispy and keep your nails squared so they look soft. Rubbing fresh cuticles and pulling nails back helps them to appear longer, which is important because your cuticles are the first visible mark that gives your nails their texture. Keeping your cuticles soft promotes skin moisture, which boosts your skin’s ability to heal.

Know when to break them

Just like why you have to change your underwear at the end of the day, you must change your nails on occasion. “You may experience friction which can cause irritation or cuticles to break,” said Dr. David Siegel, an oral, maxillofacial, and cosmetic surgeon at Siegel Image and a skin-care expert. Take it slow with breaks in between, taking it one day at a time. If you’re having these problems regularly, it might be time to pop your cuticles into the freezer to kill the cuticles without affecting the skin’s ability to heal.

Always exfoliate

To get rid of dead skin cells and to keep your skin moisturized, exfoliate your face and hands at least twice a week. If your skin is dry, use an anti-acne cream to mask any redness or irritation, or dab a hydrating lotion under your eyes to help that dryness settle.