Who doesn’t love the look and feel of a nice manicure? Even more important, who doesn’t love the look and feel of a healthy manicure? I know I do! Even if I’m just filing a snaggy nail, I am always careful to make sure it’s done right, and safely! Here’s how I make sure I always get a perfectly healthy manicure!
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Make Sure Your Hands and Nails Are Clean
The most important way to make sure you get a healthy manicure is to ALWAYS wash and dry your hands before doing your own manicure, or before having it done at a salon.
Make Sure the Tools Are Clean
Make sure your nail clippers and other tools and clean. If you get a manicure at a salon, watch to make sure the tools are thoroughly disinfected between uses.
Frequently asked questions
Use Fresh Polish
Throw out your old nail polish at least every few months. Old polish will contain nasty bacteria, and will be too clumpy to use anyway!
Use a Bottom Coat
A bottom coat will make your manicure last longer, and it will add another layer of protection for your nails.
Change Polish Often
Take off all nail polish at least once a week, and let your naked nails air out for at least a few hours. You’ll notice if you go too long without doing this that your nails will be yellow and brittle.
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Don’t Bite Your Nails
Biting your nails not only makes them look bad and feel rough, it spreads germs. Any germs on your hands will go into your mouth, and any germs in your mouth will get on your hands.
Don’t Share
Don’t share your manicure tools, including nail polish, with anyone else.
Don’t Manicure with Boo-boos
If you have broken or torn cuticles, wait until they heal to do have a manicure. The chemicals will sting, and irritate your skin even more.
Make Sure Your Manicurist is Clean
Most manicurists are meticulous about cleanliness, but some aren’t. Look at his or her hands and nails and make sure they’re clean before they do your manicure.
Avoid Acrylics
Acrylic nails may look nice, and require little maintenance, but they are hotbeds for germs and bacteria and encourage all kinds of gross infections.
Treat Problems Right Away
If you notice soreness, redness, a sore, or anything that looks or feels bad, remove your polish and get it treated right away! An infection can cause other illnesses, and can also kill your nail bed.
Wash Often
In the days after a manicure, make sure to wash your hands often with mild soap and warm water.
Don’t Handle Food
Do not EVER eat food while you’re doing a manicure! It will get chemicals on your food, and food in your manicure!
Don’t Drill
Those little dangling gems and charms look cute, but drilling holes in your nails encourages fungus and bacteria to grow there.
Well, I’m off to do my own manicure now! I’m going for a pretty red for fall, and I promise to take it off in a few days! How do you make sure to get and keep a pretty, healthy manicure? Do you do it yourself, or have it done at a beauty salon? Let me know!
Photo Credit: flickr.com
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