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!
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. Use a bottom coat.
A bottom coat will make your manicure last longer, and it will add another layer of protection for your nails.
5. 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.
New polish “every few months.” 2 months? 3 months? I’ve been wondering if they have an expiration date…
I didn’t know we had to throw out old polish!
when it starts getting sticky I just add some nail polish remover. LOL. I hardly throw anything out
Hi Amy,
Thats what I do too and it’s worked just fine for me so far :)
Well my mother does my pedicure for me sometimes, she’s a professional and I hate it to do it by myself but I do my manicure alone :)
It feels great to get your manicure and pedicure done professionally, but I often wonder how sanitary are some, or most of these places. New businesses pop up all over the place like “mushrooms after a rain”, and I am not sure I trust all of them to actually go there. My highest fear is about pedicure, since so many people have different types of foot health problems….an if the place does not sanitize well their tools and supplies….it could be a problem for your healthy feet and nails. I wonder how does one find out about their disinfection process??? Any ideas? And whom do you turn to if you notice that a place does not follow the proper procedures? I think the same could be said about beauty shops, etc.
yup i always do my nails :]
I loved this post!! :)
I adore my red nails. It’s a priority for me once a week to do a mainicure by myself.
I didn’t know about old polish. I will check my nail plishes out and throw old ones away.
And thanks for the info regarding Acrylic nails. I must say I had them ones and I had fungus after a few weeks on my nails :( It was really a depressing time. Nowadays I take care of my own nails and find my own specail products!