Healthy nails

By Obadha

We all hate it when our nails are brittle, chip easily and break. Signs of healthy nails include a healthy nail bed that ranges from pink to dark pink. This indicates proper blood supply to the nails. Here are simple steps to healthy strong nails:

Hydrate your nails using petroleum jelly or olive oil. Rub in a little oil around your nails and cuticles everyday before you go to bed or whenever you feel your nails are getting dry. This helps to keep them moist hence preventing chipping and breaking.

When working in the house, make it a habit to use rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh detergents and to prevent bruising from the equipment you are using.

File your nails in one direction to keep them strong. Filing back and forth makes them brittle. Also, avoid filing when they are wet because this weakens nails hence they easily break.

Nail buffing helps to enhance the blood and nutrient circulation to the nails, which ensures healthy growth.

Avoid nail polish removers with acetone and formaldehyde. These chemicals suck the moisture from your nails, leaving them dry and brittle.

Drink plenty of water and juices to keep your body hydrated and in turn your nails. Juices are also rich in nutrients necessary for healthy growth of nails.

Avoid artificial nails, however pretty they are, because the chemicals and glue used to stick them can cause fungal infections.

Always use a base coat to protect your nails from discoloration by the nail polish colours, especially when using bright nail polish.

Take high protein diets for healthy and strong nails.

If your nails are already brittle and chipped, soak them in warm olive oils for around 10-15 minutes every day for a month. This regimen will strengthen your nails.