Slow and steady may be the surest way to your heart, but the time investment in seriously fast nails isn’t recommended — it’s bad for them. Going big — yes, all the way big — with your manicure requires a lot of time, and nails can ruin their own reputation in the bargain. Your nail color, design, and manicure all need time to adjust to the perfect shade. But the fear of “going big” is leading some women to lose sight of the art of hand-made nails, which requires extra time. Maybe you heard your nails weren’t growing fast enough or that there was some kind of infection, so you visited a manicurist to rectify the situation and some drastic action was required.
If you’ve experienced this, it’s time to look past the concern and play it safe with proper nail care. Mary Berry, MD, author of Beauty Delivered: A Board Certified Nurse Practitioner’s Guide to Healthy Hair, Nails, and Skin, suggests we start off by avoiding repeat nail conditions like bunion and ingrown hairs. Once the need to speed your nails up is on the way out, the rest of the steps are easy enough. See the tips below, then plan to order a few products to take care of that.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clean your hands (especially your hands that are resting on your counter) daily to get rid of any residue and bacteria. Nail polish is corrosive on the digits, so taking extra care to dry your hands thoroughly can help preserve your nails and repair whatever infection has occurred.
Prioritize your manicure. Do you want your nails to look like Elle Woods’s from Legally Blonde or Heidi from The Hills? The nail care for each of these celebrity-endorsed women usually involves metallics, polishes, and textured styles, so you’re going to have to prep your nails. Preparation work involves concentrating on the nail bed to help assure a thicker, stronger nail. Then when you’re ready to paint, simply apply polish over each nail, such as the Las Vegas-based brand M-Color’s line of treatments: Brick, Silver, Gold, and Black M-Girls, respectively.
Prep your nails for painting. Avoid “dabbing” on polish, as this forces your nail beds to be exposed to the acids of the skin, resulting in a more narrow, porous nail. Use a separate prep brush (like M-Color’s Black M-Girl brush) to smooth out the nail beds for a smoother manicure. For thinner nails, use a thicker buffer brush, like the renowned professional brand Atamanu’s Manicure Expert Brush.
Focus on the top layer. Layers shouldn’t be changed unless your nail lacquer contains a topcoat. Top coat helps insulate your nails from the element and provides a glossy finish for your finished manicure. You can also substitute your polish with a protective protective topcoat, such as ColorProof’s MegaGuard Top Coat ($22). The topcoat adds length and strengthens nails. This is important to keep from peeling.
Apply a good strong topcoat. Topcoat wears well on your nails for up to three months. Make sure to apply topcoat right after painting, to ensure the nails don’t become brittle or become ruined by the moisture of the polish. A quick dip between coats often seals in the protective topcoat.
Care for your nails. Disinfect your nail plate daily with water. The secret to a clean manicure is to remove your polish after every polish change. Keep your nails healthy by staying away from hard surfaces and watching your fingernails. They have to be on top, right?
0 Comments on "What to Do If Your Nails Are Thinner or Are Bleeding"