Monday, June 7, 2010
Nail Care Commandments
Despite reasonable efforts, we have been unable to attribute the following. We are however grateful to the author, and thankfully acknowledge their rights to the following piece.
Thou shalt not get dehydrated.
Drink plenty of water and protect the nails from fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Use a good nail conditioner and sealing topcoat to finish the job.
Thou shalt not let your skin dry out.
Use a good hand lotion to moisturise hands and cuticle area. The right fragrance can make all the difference.
Thou shalt eat right.
Proper diet is as important to nail care as it is to the rest of the body. Calcium or iron deficiencies may cause irregular nail growth and tell-tale white spots.
Thou shalt improve blood flow.
Blood flow around the nail bed brings the nutrients that allow healthy nails to grow. Massaging in hand lotion is an excellent way to stimulate blood flow into the nail bed.
Thou shalt not forget thy gloves.
Wear gloves when doing cleaning tasks either in the house or garden. Extra moisture tip: put a tiny bit of sweet almond oil on the hands before putting them in the gloves.
Thou shalt not use acetone.
Using harsh chemicals like nail varnish remover more than once a week can be very damaging to nails and surrounding skin. Use acetone-free remover.
Thou shalt not use fingernails as tools.
Do not use fingernails as replacement Swiss army knives. Use proper tools for the job.
Thou shalt not bite thy nails.
Nail biting is a difficult habit to break. Nail grooming can be an effective way to relieve the temptation to bite. Nail polish serves as a visual cue to keep from biting.
Thou shalt keep thy hands healthy.
Fingernails serve as a barrier to infection. Untended hands quickly show wear and tear.
Thou shalt keep hands clean at all times.
http://www.nailcareguide.com/nailcare_commandments.htm
Thou shalt not get dehydrated.
Drink plenty of water and protect the nails from fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Use a good nail conditioner and sealing topcoat to finish the job.
Thou shalt not let your skin dry out.
Use a good hand lotion to moisturise hands and cuticle area. The right fragrance can make all the difference.
Thou shalt eat right.
Proper diet is as important to nail care as it is to the rest of the body. Calcium or iron deficiencies may cause irregular nail growth and tell-tale white spots.
Thou shalt improve blood flow.
Blood flow around the nail bed brings the nutrients that allow healthy nails to grow. Massaging in hand lotion is an excellent way to stimulate blood flow into the nail bed.
Thou shalt not forget thy gloves.
Wear gloves when doing cleaning tasks either in the house or garden. Extra moisture tip: put a tiny bit of sweet almond oil on the hands before putting them in the gloves.
Thou shalt not use acetone.
Using harsh chemicals like nail varnish remover more than once a week can be very damaging to nails and surrounding skin. Use acetone-free remover.
Thou shalt not use fingernails as tools.
Do not use fingernails as replacement Swiss army knives. Use proper tools for the job.
Thou shalt not bite thy nails.
Nail biting is a difficult habit to break. Nail grooming can be an effective way to relieve the temptation to bite. Nail polish serves as a visual cue to keep from biting.
Thou shalt keep thy hands healthy.
Fingernails serve as a barrier to infection. Untended hands quickly show wear and tear.
Thou shalt keep hands clean at all times.
http://www.nailcareguide.com/nailcare_commandments.htm
Splitting Nails Solution
Frustrated by fragile fingernails? Try this.
Many women are plagued by fingernails that split and crack. What's causing this? Like body shape, skin tone, and hair texture, our nails' ability to grow is largely hereditary -- so if your mom had weak nails, you're likely to have them, too. That said, there are things you can do to avoid much of the splitting:
Protect your nails from water. Keep your hands out of H2O, since water can actually dry out nails, causing them to split. Be sure to wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.
Apply hand cream religiously. Look for a rich formula, which will seal moisture into nails, making them stronger and more flexible. And be sure to slather on cream every time you wash your hands. Dermatologists often recommend Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner.
Limit use of nail polish remover. It contains alcohol and other chemicals which make nails brittle. Use remover no more than once a week.
Buff instead of polish. Nail polish can have a drying effect on weak nails. To get a shiny, polished effect, try a buffer. The friction it creates actually stimulates nail growth.
Keep nail length manageable. Go for no more than a quarter-inch beyond the tip of your finger, and keep nails filed into resilient soft ovals.
If you try the above with no success, consult a dermatologist.
http://www.nailcareguide.com/solution_for_splittingnails.htm
Many women are plagued by fingernails that split and crack. What's causing this? Like body shape, skin tone, and hair texture, our nails' ability to grow is largely hereditary -- so if your mom had weak nails, you're likely to have them, too. That said, there are things you can do to avoid much of the splitting:
Protect your nails from water. Keep your hands out of H2O, since water can actually dry out nails, causing them to split. Be sure to wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.
Apply hand cream religiously. Look for a rich formula, which will seal moisture into nails, making them stronger and more flexible. And be sure to slather on cream every time you wash your hands. Dermatologists often recommend Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner.
Limit use of nail polish remover. It contains alcohol and other chemicals which make nails brittle. Use remover no more than once a week.
Buff instead of polish. Nail polish can have a drying effect on weak nails. To get a shiny, polished effect, try a buffer. The friction it creates actually stimulates nail growth.
Keep nail length manageable. Go for no more than a quarter-inch beyond the tip of your finger, and keep nails filed into resilient soft ovals.
If you try the above with no success, consult a dermatologist.
http://www.nailcareguide.com/solution_for_splittingnails.htm
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Why does nail polish turn nails yellow?
It’s true, nail polish can turn your nails yellow. Why? There are a couple of reasons:
Color reaction
Some of the darker colored polishes can stain nails due to a chemical reaction between the colorant and the nail plate. This reaction is hard to predict because it doesn’t happen for everybody for every dark color. It can also take a few days to a few weeks to occur.
Formaldehyde
It’s also possible that formaldehyde (one of the ingredients in many nail polishes) is causing the problem. This chemical can react with the keratin protein in your nails and make it brittle and yellow.
Medical issues
Finally, if your nails are really yellowed and disfigured, you may have a nail infection or a more serious medical condition known as Yellow Nail Syndrome.
So what can you do about it? Read on!
Tips for non-yellowing nails:
*Don’t try to scrape off the stained area because it will damage and weaken the nail.
*Stay away from dark colors (which will greatly reduce your fashion options)
*Wear a base coat to protect your nails from staining (this makes sense to us)
*Look for nail polishes that don’t have formaldehyde on the ingredient list. (There’s no guarantee that this will work but hey, it beats this next tip we found from one of the nail polish companies from which is…
*Wear gloves (now there’s a practical idea!)
*Stop wearing polish and wait for your nails to grow out. (Also not too practical, this could take 4 to 6 months.)
*Soak your nails in 1/2 cup of water and juice of one lemon for up to 15 minutes, once a week, according to Sally Hanson. (We’re skeptical if this works but you can always add some sugar and just drink it as lemonade.)
*Buy only yellow shades of polish so you can’t tell if your nails are stained or not. (Sorry, just kidding on that one.)
The Beauty Brains bottom Line:
Nail polish can stain your nails yellow but by choosing the right shades, using a protective base coat, and drinking a lot of lemonade while wearing gloves, you should be able to control the problem.
http://thebeautybrains.com/2010/04/03/why-does-nail-polish-turn-my-nails-yellow/
Weak Fingernails
Overview
Finger nails are made up of layers of keratin, a type of protein. New cells grow beneath the cuticle, causing old cells to harden and compact. The old cells then grow out toward the fingertips. But as MotherNature.com says, most people do not have the perfect fingernails that we see in magazines. In fact, many people have weak, easily torn fingernails caused by the daily rigors of life. Some people are simply born with weak fingernails.
Healthy Fingernails
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy fingernails are ridge-free and smooth. They are all the same color and shape. They have no spots or discolorations and may have vertical ridges. The tips, if long enough, should be a whitish color due to the lack of pigmentation found there. Some nail injuries can cause white spots to form, but these spots typically disappear as the nail grows out.
Symptoms of Weak Nails
Symptoms of weak fingernails include thinness and easily broken nails. In addition, they may peel and grow slowly. Weak nails are more prone to cracking or splitting. In severe cases, they can even become painfully detached from the nail bed itself.
Causes
MotherNature.com states that weak nails can mean there are problems elsewhere in the body. Psoriasis, a condition of the skin that can lead to itching, can cause weak nails. Hyperthyrodism, which is an overactive thyroid gland, can also cause weakness. Anemia may also contribute to weak nails. In addition, it can signal a calcium deficiency. However, most fingernail weakness is caused by everyday injury, nail biting or lack of care.
Care
MayoClinic.com suggests keeping your weak nails dry and clean. In addition, trim them often to minimize tearing. Moisturize your nails regularly. When putting lotion on your hands, make sure the lotion is rubbed into the fingernail as well. Don't pick at your nails or bite them. Not only does this cause damage, it can invite fungus into any cuts that the picking or biting may have caused. Use nail polish and hardeners to help strengthen nails.
Remedies
Eating eggs is an easy way to strengthen nails. Wellsphere.com suggests the avoidance of refined flour and sugar, which block absorption of protein. In addition, Vitamin C, nuts and tuna fish are good additions to the diet to encourage stronger nails. Your nails should be protected from cold weather. Gloves should be worn to prevent nails from cracking or splitting. A biotin supplement can also be taken to increase nail thickness.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/77353-weak-fingernails/
Finger nails are made up of layers of keratin, a type of protein. New cells grow beneath the cuticle, causing old cells to harden and compact. The old cells then grow out toward the fingertips. But as MotherNature.com says, most people do not have the perfect fingernails that we see in magazines. In fact, many people have weak, easily torn fingernails caused by the daily rigors of life. Some people are simply born with weak fingernails.
Healthy Fingernails
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy fingernails are ridge-free and smooth. They are all the same color and shape. They have no spots or discolorations and may have vertical ridges. The tips, if long enough, should be a whitish color due to the lack of pigmentation found there. Some nail injuries can cause white spots to form, but these spots typically disappear as the nail grows out.
Symptoms of Weak Nails
Symptoms of weak fingernails include thinness and easily broken nails. In addition, they may peel and grow slowly. Weak nails are more prone to cracking or splitting. In severe cases, they can even become painfully detached from the nail bed itself.
Causes
MotherNature.com states that weak nails can mean there are problems elsewhere in the body. Psoriasis, a condition of the skin that can lead to itching, can cause weak nails. Hyperthyrodism, which is an overactive thyroid gland, can also cause weakness. Anemia may also contribute to weak nails. In addition, it can signal a calcium deficiency. However, most fingernail weakness is caused by everyday injury, nail biting or lack of care.
Care
MayoClinic.com suggests keeping your weak nails dry and clean. In addition, trim them often to minimize tearing. Moisturize your nails regularly. When putting lotion on your hands, make sure the lotion is rubbed into the fingernail as well. Don't pick at your nails or bite them. Not only does this cause damage, it can invite fungus into any cuts that the picking or biting may have caused. Use nail polish and hardeners to help strengthen nails.
Remedies
Eating eggs is an easy way to strengthen nails. Wellsphere.com suggests the avoidance of refined flour and sugar, which block absorption of protein. In addition, Vitamin C, nuts and tuna fish are good additions to the diet to encourage stronger nails. Your nails should be protected from cold weather. Gloves should be worn to prevent nails from cracking or splitting. A biotin supplement can also be taken to increase nail thickness.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/77353-weak-fingernails/
Monday, March 8, 2010
Pick Your Nail Shape
Sharp-corner Square
Totally trendy now. Trends change, but these nails always looks good. This shape looks great with short nails and longer ones too.
Long & Oval
These nails look glamorous, but break easily and make typing more difficult.
Rounded & Short
Good for the active gal who hates to fuss. A low-maintenance manicure.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails
Totally trendy now. Trends change, but these nails always looks good. This shape looks great with short nails and longer ones too.
Long & Oval
These nails look glamorous, but break easily and make typing more difficult.
Rounded & Short
Good for the active gal who hates to fuss. A low-maintenance manicure.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Nail Biting Treatments
Nail biting is one of these things we all want to get rid of, and we just can’t seem to finally make it. Over the years, many treatments have been created as an effort to put an end to this bad habit. Let’s look at them and see what they are all about:
Hypnotherapy
Don’t be too skeptical. Many nail biters have had great success with hypnosis programs. Since most of the time this is a subconscious activity, it makes sense to treat it from the subconscious point of view. Hypnotherapy will help you cope with your anxiety and stress levels in a more positive way. You can either go to a hypnotherapist for a more personalized session, or you could try an “stop nail biting” hypnotherapy tape.
Medications
When treated form a medication point of view, doctors prescribe anti-depressants for nail biting. These medications include: fluoxetine, clomipramine, setraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine and nefazodone. Also little dose of anti-psychotics can be used to augment the anti-depressants: ziprasidone, quetiapine, aripripazole, risperidone and olazapine. These are used not because the patient has psychosis, but as a means to augment the power.
Behavioral Therapy
This is a therapeutic method that consists of unlearning bad behaviors. Some patients have found this helpful as they unlearn the habit of nail biting (Habit Reversal Training) and replace it with something of a constructive nature. This treatment seems to work better when combined with medications.
Nail Polishes and Topical Treatments
This may be considered the simple method to stop nail biting. It consists of putting things on your nail that will keep you away form biting them. From nail polish, that makes it impossible for you start biting your nails to natural creams that leave a bitter taste in your mouth while giving your nail its necessary nutrients. This treatment has worked for a lot of people, but it takes time, since it is a process of also “unlearning”.
Sheer Will power
Although this may seem as the obvious treatment to stop nail biting, (Just say stop!) Is in fact one of the least effectives. Often people do things such as post-it notes, New Year’s Resolutions, etc. that get lost in the mind after some weeks. But the process of mastering your mind can be rewarding on its own. If you are ready for the test, just start now, get accustomed to watching yourself, and the times when you start biting your nails. Getting to know yourself is the first step.
http://stopnailbiting.net/nail-biting-treatments.html
Hypnotherapy
Don’t be too skeptical. Many nail biters have had great success with hypnosis programs. Since most of the time this is a subconscious activity, it makes sense to treat it from the subconscious point of view. Hypnotherapy will help you cope with your anxiety and stress levels in a more positive way. You can either go to a hypnotherapist for a more personalized session, or you could try an “stop nail biting” hypnotherapy tape.
Medications
When treated form a medication point of view, doctors prescribe anti-depressants for nail biting. These medications include: fluoxetine, clomipramine, setraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine and nefazodone. Also little dose of anti-psychotics can be used to augment the anti-depressants: ziprasidone, quetiapine, aripripazole, risperidone and olazapine. These are used not because the patient has psychosis, but as a means to augment the power.
Behavioral Therapy
This is a therapeutic method that consists of unlearning bad behaviors. Some patients have found this helpful as they unlearn the habit of nail biting (Habit Reversal Training) and replace it with something of a constructive nature. This treatment seems to work better when combined with medications.
Nail Polishes and Topical Treatments
This may be considered the simple method to stop nail biting. It consists of putting things on your nail that will keep you away form biting them. From nail polish, that makes it impossible for you start biting your nails to natural creams that leave a bitter taste in your mouth while giving your nail its necessary nutrients. This treatment has worked for a lot of people, but it takes time, since it is a process of also “unlearning”.
Sheer Will power
Although this may seem as the obvious treatment to stop nail biting, (Just say stop!) Is in fact one of the least effectives. Often people do things such as post-it notes, New Year’s Resolutions, etc. that get lost in the mind after some weeks. But the process of mastering your mind can be rewarding on its own. If you are ready for the test, just start now, get accustomed to watching yourself, and the times when you start biting your nails. Getting to know yourself is the first step.
http://stopnailbiting.net/nail-biting-treatments.html
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Doing Your Nails
"Doing" Your Nails--How to Give Yourself a Manicure
You will enjoy having nails that look well-cared-for. Nice-looking nails can be an accessory to any outfit. As you know, nail polish comes in about a million colors, glossy or metallic, with or without glitter. Nail polish can be a fun way to express your personality.
Storing nail polish in the fridge extends its shelf life. (When polish is exposed to heat, it thickens and gets hard to apply.) Be careful: Food and chemicals don't mix! To avoid contaminating Mom's favorite leftovers, store polish in a plastic container before chilling. When you're ready to do your nails, rub the bottle gently between your palms to warm it up. Don't shake it; shaking mixes air into the polish and causes bubbles.
Use a fine emery board to shape your nails. Working in one direction only, file from the sides to the center. See nail shapes below.
Give your fingertips a soaking in warm soapy water so the cuticles will soften up. Then dry your fingers.
Push cuticles down with an orange stick.
Buff the nails with a nail buffer, from the tip to the cuticle.
Rub some hand cream into your hands and nails. Make sure to removed it from your nails before you polish them. This will condition your nails.
When you polish your nails, use a base coat of clear, two to three coats of polish and a top coat of clear or "top coat" that you should apply every four days to keep your polish from chipping and lasting longer.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
You will enjoy having nails that look well-cared-for. Nice-looking nails can be an accessory to any outfit. As you know, nail polish comes in about a million colors, glossy or metallic, with or without glitter. Nail polish can be a fun way to express your personality.
Storing nail polish in the fridge extends its shelf life. (When polish is exposed to heat, it thickens and gets hard to apply.) Be careful: Food and chemicals don't mix! To avoid contaminating Mom's favorite leftovers, store polish in a plastic container before chilling. When you're ready to do your nails, rub the bottle gently between your palms to warm it up. Don't shake it; shaking mixes air into the polish and causes bubbles.
Use a fine emery board to shape your nails. Working in one direction only, file from the sides to the center. See nail shapes below.
Give your fingertips a soaking in warm soapy water so the cuticles will soften up. Then dry your fingers.
Push cuticles down with an orange stick.
Buff the nails with a nail buffer, from the tip to the cuticle.
Rub some hand cream into your hands and nails. Make sure to removed it from your nails before you polish them. This will condition your nails.
When you polish your nails, use a base coat of clear, two to three coats of polish and a top coat of clear or "top coat" that you should apply every four days to keep your polish from chipping and lasting longer.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Common Nail Problems
Brittle Nails
These often occur from iron deficiency, circulation problems and other problems of the body's endocrine system.
Discoloration
Cigarettes, hair dyes and even tints sometimes discolor the nails.
Dry nails
Dry skin gets worse in winter and/or colder months, and so does the condition of some nails. Some get brittle, which is why you have to be careful about soaking them in water with chlorine, soap or detergents. Rubber gloves and warm gloves worn outside in cold weather can help.
White spots
Don't believe what you hear. You probably don't have a mineral or calcium deficiency. White spots usually develop because you've hit your nails against something.
Greenish Nails
Greenish nails are usually a result of a localized fungal infection. If you find greenish nails under your nail polish, consult your health-care provider, as there are treatments for this kind of fungal infection.
Ridges
Ridges can appear either vertically or horizontally. Horizontal ridges called Beau's lines can result from severe stress. Some of these ridges are genetic--they're inherited--and get worse as you age. Vertical lines can indicate poor nutrition or iron deficiency.
Sometimes your nail looks as if it's going to literally lift off from the nail bed. It's scary and could be a sign of psoriasis, a skin disorder. Or it might be because your hands are spending too much time in water, detergents or soaps. If this is caused from having your hands in water too much, you might want to consider wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing housework.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
These often occur from iron deficiency, circulation problems and other problems of the body's endocrine system.
Discoloration
Cigarettes, hair dyes and even tints sometimes discolor the nails.
Dry nails
Dry skin gets worse in winter and/or colder months, and so does the condition of some nails. Some get brittle, which is why you have to be careful about soaking them in water with chlorine, soap or detergents. Rubber gloves and warm gloves worn outside in cold weather can help.
White spots
Don't believe what you hear. You probably don't have a mineral or calcium deficiency. White spots usually develop because you've hit your nails against something.
Greenish Nails
Greenish nails are usually a result of a localized fungal infection. If you find greenish nails under your nail polish, consult your health-care provider, as there are treatments for this kind of fungal infection.
Ridges
Ridges can appear either vertically or horizontally. Horizontal ridges called Beau's lines can result from severe stress. Some of these ridges are genetic--they're inherited--and get worse as you age. Vertical lines can indicate poor nutrition or iron deficiency.
Sometimes your nail looks as if it's going to literally lift off from the nail bed. It's scary and could be a sign of psoriasis, a skin disorder. Or it might be because your hands are spending too much time in water, detergents or soaps. If this is caused from having your hands in water too much, you might want to consider wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing housework.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
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