Nail Care 101
Perfect, healthy nails: how do you achieve such a feat? How should you maintain your nails and cuticles, or how on earth do you remove a gel or dip manicure without damaging your nails? Here are some of the most common questions when it comes to basic nail maintenance (and some tips to keep them looking pretty, while you’re at it).
How do I keep my nails and cuticles healthy?
No DIY Cuticle Cutting
First up, no cutting your cuticles or pushing them back. Keep them moisturized, but otherwise leave them alone.
Cutting or pushing cuticles back is standard practice during salon manicures, but according to Nada Elbuluk, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California, tells SELF this is a DIY beauty don’t . She advises to put down the cuticle cutters and wooden pushers, and leave it up to the professionals. Why? She says that the cuticle is essential to protecting the nail from bacteria and other germs entering the body that can cause infections.
Keep Your Nail Tools Clean
Beyond that, make sure that your at-home nail tools are clean. Disinfecting previously used clippers and files is a must on a monthly basis, according to Dr. Elbuluk. Simply, she says this can be done by soaking a brush in isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) and using this to clean the clippers followed by a hot water rinse. She also says that you should use a separate nail clipper for your fingers and your toes.
Am I recommended for a professional manicure over DIY?
First off, everyone is a candidate for a professionally-done manicure. However, Natalia, one of SALT’s finest nail artists, says some need a little more TLC than others. Here are some of the symptoms that could make you a prime candidate for a regular professional manicure:
1. Foliation of the nail structure and wavy (uneven) surface of the nails
2. Dry skin
3. Tough and thick cuticles that grows back quickly
What are the benefits of an E-file pedicure?
Medical Techniques
E-file pedicure makes the feet not only well-groomed, but also healthy. Quickly and painlessly relieves core calluses, corns, cracked heels and ingrown nails.
Medical Indications
The procedure is suitable for people with diabetes mellitus and fungal diseases. In this case, only disposable instruments and disinfectant solutions are used, therefore, both the master and clients are protected from the spread of infection.
Security
By not using cutting tools, cuts and injuries are excluded. In addition, a E-file pedicure guarantees the absence of infections. Most often, disposable grinding attachments are used for the procedure, and reusable ones are sterilized, as in dentistry.
Accuracy
Thanks to nozzles of different diameters, the nail technician processes all hard-to-reach places on the foot: cuticles, periungual ridges, the area between the toes. At the same time, you will not feel any discomfort - except perhaps a slight tickling.
Long-Term Benefits
The attachments specifically remove only dead cells, and do not affect living tissues. Thanks to this, the skin does not grow for a long time, and the feet remain smooth. Remember to regularly use emollient foot creams to last.
How often should I get a manicure?
According to Natalia, there are several factors, like how fast your nails grow, how long they are, and what kind of manicure is done.
Nail Growth
Nail growth is individual. It depends on your health and vitamins that enter the body. Someone's nails grow in two weeks almost by half of the nail plate, and other’s are barely noticeable even after a month.
Gel or Dip Polish
If you have a gel or a dip polish, the load on the nails increases and this can lead to nail breakage with trauma to the nail plate. Under these conditions, you need to make an appointment for a manicure more often.
How do I care for my nails after a manicure?
In order to make the most out of your manicure, it’s important to maintain it. According to Natalia, there are a couple of things you can do to make them last.
Stay Away from Water
For the first few hours after the procedure, refrain from prolonged contact with hot water. It is imperative to wash your hands, you can and should, but do not steam! This is due to the fact that the polymerization process is not completed after drying the nails in the lamp. Contact with water can lead to micro cracks and delamination.
Protect Your Nails
When cleaning with chemical cleaning agents is carried out only with gloves and gloves only! And when you are preparing food, be careful, especially with knives and graters so you don’t cut your fingers or the polish right off of your nails.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
During the wearing of the coating, try to moisturize the cuticle with oil or cream to avoid dry and cracking skin. Your nails and cuticles will thank you!