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!
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 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.
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!
A bottom coat will make your manicure last longer, and it will add another layer of protection for your nails.
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.
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 your manicure tools, including nail polish, with anyone else.
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.
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.
Acrylic nails may look nice, and require little maintenance, but they are hotbeds for germs and bacteria and encourage all kinds of gross infections.
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.
In the days after a manicure, make sure to wash your hands often with mild soap and warm water.
Do not EVER eat food while you’re doing a manicure! It will get chemicals on your food, and food in your manicure!
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