Have you been dreaming of long, healthy and strong nails? Well dream no longer! Here at Frock Paper Scissors we have done the research and created this simple five step guide to healthy nails. These steps describe how to get the best results through cutting and filing, buffing, applying cuticle cream, and maintaining a balanced diet and taking a daily dose of vitamins.
Step 1: Cutting and Filing
Beauty artist and professional manicurist Samantha Lethbridge says the first step to beautiful nails begins with basic cutting and filing. “First, clip your nails to the correct length you want them. Then begin to file, starting from thumb to little finger, from outside to inwards working each side alternately and quickly. Don’t go back and forward,” she advises. Lethbridge also mentions you can add a bit of creativity with this step by defining your nails with a unique shape. Common shapes that are created through filing are oval, square, round, pointed and ‘squoval’ – a blending between square and oval.
Step 2: Buffing
Now that your nails have been cut and filed to shape, the next step to healthy nails is buffing. Lethbridge says this will require the use of a three way buffer tool – a simple block with three or more textures varying in roughness. “Using a three way buffer, start with the grittiest end first to remove any rough or damaged bits. Start from thumb to little finger and, using a back and forth motion, start from base and work up the nail. Then, using the next side – the less gritty part – use the same technique and repeat the process. This will help to start to smooth the nail. Finally, use the last side of the buffer – the smoothest part. This will leave a nice shine on your nails,” she says. You should follow these steps on each nail for approximately 15 seconds, per side of the buffer.
Step 3: Cuticle Cream
The third step for healthy and strong nails is to regularly apply cuticle cream. Samantha advises to massage the cream deep into the cuticles. “It softens the area so it’s easier to push them back and to trim the cuticle.”
Step 4: A Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is of course important for your health and well being, but it will also help with the health of your nails. A low fat and high fibre diet is one of the best methods of improved nail health. According to Nutrition Australia the foods you should eat most are; vegetables, fruits, nuts, dried peas, legumes, breads and cereals.
Step 5: Daily Vitamins
Taking your daily vitamins is the final step to healthy and strong nails. The vitamins you should be taking vary on your nails condition. An article on nail nutrition, written by herb and alternative medical specialist Karyn Siegel-Maier, matches the following symptoms to vitamin deficiency. If you have dry and brittle nails Siegel-Maier suggests vitamin A. If you have dry nails with ridges she suggests vitamin B. If you have curving ends or darkening in your nails vitamin B-12 is recommended. Lastly Siegel-Maier suggests that if you have frequent hangnails this could be due to a lack of protein so try taking vitamin C and folic acid.