Sometimes we lack confidence to wear sandals because we feel uncomfortable with the state of our toenails. Therefore, to overcome these concerns, we must maintain healthy toenails. By cutting your nails regularly and giving a touch of color to make them look more beautiful, you don't have to worry anymore about wearing sandals out of the house.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Keeping Toenails Healthy
Step 1. Use petroleum jelly or another oil like olive oil or shea butter to keep your toenails soft
Petroleum jelly or oil can help soften our gradually hardened toenails. With soft toenails, the process of trimming toenails will become easier. In addition, oil is also good for keeping toenails moist so they don't break easily.
Do not forget to apply oil around the cuticles so that the cuticle moisture is maintained. This method also helps moisturize your toenails
Step 2. Avoid using nail polish remover or nail polish remover that is based on acetone
Acetone can dry out your nails, making them prone to breaking.
- Use an ethyl acetate or methyl ethyl ketone-based nail polish remover to remove nail polish. This type of eraser usually has a “non-acetone” label.
- Please note that erasers that do not contain acetone work more slowly because the material used is lighter than acetone. Therefore, it takes longer time to remove the nail polish.
Step 3. Take biotin regularly
Based on research, taking supplements containing B vitamins can strengthen nail resistance.
Step 4. Consult a doctor if your nails tend to turn yellow
Yellow nails can be a sign that you have other health problems.
- For example, yellow nails that don't stick to the skin can be a sign of thyroid disease or psoriasis.
- Nails that are yellow, but still attached to the skin, could be a sign of a respiratory problem, infection, or diabetes.
Part 2 of 3: Clippers and Clean Nails
Step 1. Trim your nails once every week
Toenails that are too long can increase the risk of ingrown toenails (ingrown toenails), which of course can cause pain and need to be treated medically. In addition, long toenails will also interfere with your comfort when wearing shoes because the toenails will hit the front of the shoe, placing excessive pressure on your toenails. Cutting your nails regularly can also avoid the risk of nail fractures.
- Trim your toenails until they are in line with your fingertips. Toenails that are too long can increase the risk of nail fractures and toenails that are too short can cause ingrown toenails.
- Cut your nails in a square shape and don't make them curved. Toenails with a square shape can help prevent the risk of ingrown toenails because the edges of the nail will prevent the skin from covering the space for nail growth.
Step 2. Sharpen your toenails every four days
Make sure your toenails are not deformed by checking them regularly. Also, sharpen the nails in one direction. Sharpening in both directions can damage your toenails.
Step 3. Don't cut your cuticles
Cuticle can prevent infection. Therefore, cutting your cuticles will only increase the risk of developing an infection on your skin.
Step 4. Clean nails from stains
Use a nail polish remover or nail buffer to clean and polish the surface of your nails.
Step 5. Clean the inside of your nails with a toothbrush
A toothbrush can help clean the dirt on the inside of your toenails. While showering, you can add a little soap to your toothbrush and rub it on your nails until they're clean. Make sure you do it gently and carefully to avoid chafing the skin.
If you want your toenails to look whiter and cleaner, add whitening toothpaste to your toothbrush
Part 3 of 3: Color Toenails
Step 1. Gently press the cuticle
You can press the cuticles so they don't get in the way of you coloring your nails. However, do it gently and don't force it too much so as not to damage the cuticles.
Step 2. Apply a primer or base coat before coloring your nails
Base polish will strengthen the durability of the nail polish so you don't have to repaint your nails too often. In addition, the primer will protect the surface of the nail from stains when you remove the paint.
Step 3. Apply nail polish as much as possible in three strokes
To color the thumb, the application begins with a stroke in the middle of the nail and then spreads to the right and left sides of the nail. Add one drop of nail polish and slowly spread the polish over the entire surface of the nail using a brush.
Step 4. Don't forget to use an outer polish or top coat on your nails
In addition to making your nails shinier, external polish will also protect the nail polish to make it last longer.
Step 5. Clean the skin around the nail polished
Use a small brush or tissue and remover to clean the paint off the skin.
Step 6. Avoid hot water after painting nails
Unlike cold water, which helps dry nail polish, hot water can actually make your nail polish swell and then crack.
Step 7. Have several color options so you can choose the color that suits you, especially when you want to match it with the clothes you are going to wear
- Nail polish with glitter usually lasts longer than other nail polishes.
- Use nail polish free of formaldehyde, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate. These three chemicals are dangerous if used continuously.
Step 8. Paint your toenails to reflect your personality
Don't use neon orange if you have a personality that tends to be shy. For formal events, you can try French tips, which are designs with natural color paint on the entire surface of the nail and additional white paint on the ends.
Step 9. Try beautifying your toenails with various designs
An easy way to create an eye-catching design for your nails is to make it on plastic or parchment first. After that, you can peel it off and stick it with primer and paint.
Stickers and plaster can help you to create attractive designs. Apply the base color to your nails and wait for it to dry. Use stickers or tape that you've colored in a variety of colors to create interesting designs. You can create arches, stars, or even just line the center of the nail
Tips
- Prepare colors for the upcoming holiday, such as red and green for Christmas.
- Do not use nail strengtheners or nail hardeners because most nail strengtheners have not been clinically tested.
