Healthy Nails

Healthy Nails Now

The best way to make sure your nails are healthy is to moisturize them daily, and care for your cuticles. The cuticle is the nail's protection between the exposed dead part of the nail and the matrix, where new cells are generated. Removing the cuticle destroys the nail matrix, which is essential to healthy nail growth. On the other hand, you do want to keep cuticles from becoming overgrown, which suffocates nail growth. The solution: Liberally apply a cuticle remover (not cuticle oil or cuticle cream), which will make the cuticle more pliable. Then, take an orangewood stick and anywhere the cuticle skin touches the nail plate, push it back using tiny circular movements. Hold the stick at an angle so that you do this gradually and gently, without going inside the cuticle. Use a moisturizer daily to prevent dryness.

Eat Right

Though you can't feed the nail directly, a good diet is essential to overall nail health. Biotin-rich foods like eggs, soy, whole grains and liver are said to be extremely helpful to nails, along with foods rich in sulfur minerals like apples, cucumbers, grapes, garlic, asparagus and onions. Also, be sure your diet includes essential fatty acids, or EFAs. Like vitamins and minerals, foods rich in EFA's, such as salmon, nuts, seeds and tuna, help keep nails shiny and pliable.

Do Not Use Your Fingernails as ToolsUsing your fingernails as tools to perform tasks -- pushing back your cuticles or scratching a label off a CD is a no-no! Use proper tools for picking and scraping and not your nails.

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Best way to remove hangnails

Nail technicians remove hangnails with cuticle nippers. The best way to prevent hangnails is to use cuticle cream, oil or lotion that is massaged into the cuticle and nail mantle. Then use a cuticle stick to gently push back the cuticle after you have softened it, which in most cases, eliminates the need to trim cuticles of hangnails.

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Nail Corners

To file or not to file

The corner of your nails should never be filed.

Why? Filing the corners of your nails will weaken the nail and you will find that they will break more easily as a result.

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Pedicure - Heavenly Soles

Pedicure - Heavenly Soles by Lisa Lach

There is nothing more attractive then a woman dressed up or casual looking, wearing open toes shoes, or sandals and her feet look clean and maintained. Keeping those soles heavenly are another thing. If you cannot afford to visit your spa monthly do what the rest of the working world does. Do them yourself! But if you can visit your spa twice a year it really helps. If you can plan a winter Pedicure and a before summer Pedicure at your spa, keeping them maintained in the meantime is simple. Stock up on some products before hand always be prepared.

Foot Scrub

Purchase a good foot scrub. Every Department store carries them and they are made for every type of skin. Soak your feet for a good 10 minutes in warm water then use the foot scrub to exfoliate any dead skin cells. Giving your feet and calf a new smooth layer of clean skin.

Nail File Kit & Cuticle Oil

If you go to a dollar store you can find kits that already have the files and clippers that you need for your Pedicure. Most include scissors and buffers at a great price. Cuticle Oil is not in most stores, but is stocked at most popular spas. After soaking and exfoliating, shape, file and take off any extra cuticle. The hard part is over.

Foot Scrub Brush

The best ones are to get are from the Spas themselves, most are under $20. If that is not your budget Wal-Mart and stores like them carry Foot scrub Brushes for under $10. After filing your toenails, dip your feet back into some clean water or rinse them in the tub using your scrub brush for a nice smooth finish.

Cream

Not just any cream. Try a Tea-Tree cream or peppermint cream for stimulation and scent. Dry your feet thoroughly and apply as much cream as you need.

Base-Coat, Polish and Top-Coat

Any brand will do. Make sure you wipe the cream off your toenails or the nail polish will not adhesive or dry on your nail. A base and topcoat is important because it makes your polish last longer and when you have done all this work, polish should be the least of your worries. The longer your feet look good, the less work for you.

Try this every month in between your Spa Pedicures. It leaves you with O�So-Heavenly soles.

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Hand Massage

Hand Massage

To stimulate circulation, rub your palm over the back of the hand and then repeat with the other hand.

This movement is very similar to washing your hands and it does not only stimulate circulation, it also warms the hands.

Water Damage

Too much water and chemicals

Get into the habit of wearing rubber gloves when you do any cleaning around the house.

The reason? Cleaning agents can be extremely harsh on both nails and hands. The nails when exposed to water, swell and then shrink back as they dry. This contributes to brittle nails.

Soft Hands

Soft Hands

So your hands don't feel soft anymore?

Before you go to bed, lavish on the Vaseline and then pop on a pair of cotton gloves. Your hands will be incredibly soft by morning.