Besides having a variety of negative effects on health, smoking also has an impact on the physical, such as the appearance of yellowish stains on the nails and fingers. Yellow stains from smoking on your fingers and nails may seem permanent, but there are ways to get rid of them, or at least fade them.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Remove Nicotine Stains from Fingers
Step 1. Use a nail file
You can use a fine or metal nail file to remove some of the nicotine stains from your fingers. Press and gently rub the rough side of the file against the yellow stain on your finger. After a minute or two, the stain on your finger should appear to have faded.
- You can also use lighter paper on matchboxes.
- Stop using the file if the skin is red or irritated.
Step 2. Apply the bleach solution
A bleach solution that has been diluted with water can also help remove yellow, nicotine stains from your fingers. Mix 2 parts bleach with 4 parts water in a glass jar. Then, dip a nail brush in it and rub it over the yellow-stained skin. Leave the solution for a few minutes, then rinse.
- If this isn't enough to remove the stain, you can also soak your finger in the bleach solution for 5 minutes, 5 times a day.
- After rinsing your hands, apply a hand cream or moisturizer to counter the drying effect of the bleach.
- You may need to wear a mask during this step.
- Do not try this method if your skin is injured or after using other stain removers.
- Do not use this method if your skin is sensitive to bleach. If irritation occurs while using this step, rinse the bleach off your skin immediately.
Step 3. Apply toothpaste
Toothpaste can also help remove nicotine stains from your fingers. Use regular toothpaste and rub it over the surface of the yellowed skin. Next, rub the toothpaste using a toothbrush on the skin for a few minutes. Rinse with warm water when finished.
Try to use a whitening toothpaste to remove stubborn nicotine stains
Step 4. Apply lemon juice
Lemon juice is an effective bleaching agent to help remove stains from your fingers. Use a knife to cut a fresh lemon in half, then take half a lemon and apply it to the yellowing skin of your fingers. Rub the lemon on the stained skin until it is completely coated with the lemon juice.
- Let the lemon juice sit on your fingers for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- This method can be used up to 5 times a day.
- Keep in mind that small cuts to your fingertips may sting when you get lemon juice on them.
Step 5. Rub the potatoes
This method is gentler than other methods so it may be suitable for sensitive skin. Peel a potato and rub it over the stained skin on your finger for a few minutes. Rinse the potato juice after letting it sit for a few minutes.
This method can be used up to 10 times a day
Step 6. Dissolve aspirin in water
Prepare an aspirin then dissolve it in a glass of hot water (240 ml). Dip your nicotine-stained finger in the water once it cools down. Soak your fingers in the water for a few minutes. Wash your hands with soap and water after you have finished soaking your fingertips.
You can also pour a few drops of water over the aspirin tablet until it forms a paste to apply to the surface of your nails. Use a nail brush to apply the aspirin paste to the surface of the yellowed skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Next, rinse off the aspirin paste and wash your hands thoroughly
Part 2 of 3: Remove Nicotine Stains from Fingernails
Step 1. Dip your nails in the hydrogen peroxide solution
Hydrogen peroxide has a whitening effect so it can remove nicotine stains from fingernails. Pour 3-4 tablespoons (15 ml/tablespoon) of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution into half a cup of water (120 ml), mix well. Next, dip your nails into the solution and let them soak for about 15 minutes. Use a toothbrush to remove any remaining stains from your nails, then rinse with water.
- This hydrogen peroxide solution can be used to clean nails once a week for a maximum of 3 months.
- Keep in mind that this solution can sting small cuts on your fingers.
Step 2. Apply apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid and malic acid, which can fade the color of your nails. Pour half a cup (120 ml) of lukewarm water into a bowl containing half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak yellowed nails in the solution for about 20 minutes. Next, rinse and dry your nails with a towel.
- This method can be used 3 times a day for a maximum of one month.
- Soaking your nails in apple cider vinegar will sting if you have a cut on your finger.
Step 3. Soak nails in mouthwash
Alcohol-based mouthwash can also help remove stains on your fingernails. Pour a small amount of mouthwash into a clean plastic cup. Make sure that the volume of the mouthwash is sufficient to submerge the finger. Soak fingers in mouthwash for 30 minutes.
- You can repeat this step once a day for one week.
- Listerine or another alcohol-based mouthwash is a good choice to use.
Step 4. Apply orange peel to nails
Orange peel is rich in vitamin C so it can also help remove yellow stains on the fingers. Peel an orange and then rub the inside of the peel over the yellowing nails for 5-10 minutes at a time.
- Do this 2-3 times a day for a few weeks.
- You can also add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of orange peel powder to the water to make a paste. Use a nail brush to apply the paste to yellowed nails. Next, rinse with lukewarm water. Use the orange peel paste twice a day for a few weeks.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Nicotine Stains
Step 1. Wear gloves when smoking
If the cigarette comes into contact with the fingertips, stains will form on the surface of the skin. Try to wear gloves when smoking to prevent stains from forming on your fingertips.
Regular knit gloves can help reduce your skin's exposure to cigarettes, but some of the nicotine may still penetrate it. Try wearing vinyl or leather gloves to better protect your fingers
Step 2. Apply a thick lotion to your hands and fingertips before smoking
Applying lotion can also create a protective layer between your finger and the cigarette. So, rub hand lotion or petroleum jelly thickly first before you light a cigarette.
Applying lotion right after smoking may also help. In addition, the lotion can also help reduce the smell of cigarettes
Step 3. Wash hands right after smoking
Keep yourself clean while smoking. The smell of cigarettes can linger on your hands for a long time if you don't wash them, causing stains on your fingers.
Try to get into the habit of washing your hands with soap and warm water right after you finish smoking
Step 4. Quit smoking
As long as you smoke, your fingers and fingernails are still at risk for nicotine stains. You can join a local support group to quit smoking. You can also consult your doctor for non-staining cigarette substitutes such as nicotine patches, e-cigarettes, or other smoking cessation tools that won't stain.
You probably shouldn't chew tobacco, nicotine gum, or anything else that can stain your body, such as your teeth
Step 5. Use the appliance when smoking
You can use a metal pipe or hookah to protect your hands and mouth from cigarettes. While not beneficial for your overall health, using a pipe can reduce nicotine exposure on your fingers.
- When using a hookah, hold the center while sucking in the smoke from one side while the tobacco is heated in a large container on the other.
- With metal tubing, the cigarette only needs to be attached to one end while you hold and inhale the smoke from the other end.
- The volume of smoke produced by a hookah is much more than a regular cigarette. This smoke will cool as it passes through the water before entering the pipes used to inhale it.
Tips
- Consult a more serious skin problem to a doctor or dermatologist.
- You can try quitting smoking to avoid or reduce this problem.
Warning
- Avoid using the method above if there are open wounds on the skin.
- Seek medical attention if the methods in this article are causing severe irritation, pain and discomfort, or are making your problem worse.
- Do not use chewing gum or nicotine lozenges as they can damage teeth.
