Stained or yellowed nails can look really bad, especially if you don't want to use nail polish for a while. Fortunately, treating and preventing yellowed nails from polish is quite easy to do. You only need a few simple household appliances and thoughtful nail care.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Overcoming Yellowing Nails
Step 1. Remove nail polish
Use a cotton ball that has been soaked in nail polish remover to remove the polish from the nails. Just wipe each nail with a cotton ball until all the polish is dissolved.
To treat yellowed nails perfectly, your nails must be clean from a layer of paint or varnish. Once the entire coat of polish is removed, you can see the entire stained area on the nail
Step 2. Brush the nails
Use a fine nail buffer to gently exfoliate the outer layer of each nail. Gently rub this board against the nail surface in a straight back and forth motion, perpendicular to the nail. Gently scrubbing your nails like this can remove the outermost layer of the stained nail and reveal a new, clean layer underneath.
- Rotate the nail to the right and left. Make sure you can reach the sides of the nails, not just the top of the middle.
- Rub each nail for about 10 seconds only. Be careful not to remove too many layers of the nail.
Step 3. Rub the lemon on the nails
Cut the lemon in half and rub the contents onto the surface of the nails. Try to rub the lemon on each nail for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. After wiping the entire nail with lemon, let it soak in and wait for the nail to dry for about 10 minutes. After wetting your nails with lemon, apply moisturizer to your hands and nails to prevent them from drying out.
- Lemon juice can lighten nails much like hair when sprayed and exposed to sunlight.
- You can also squeeze a lemon and collect the juice in a bowl and then use a cotton ball to rub it over your nails.
Step 4. Scrub your nails with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
Mix 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of baking soda to form a paste. Use an old, soft toothbrush to pick up and rub this paste onto the nail surface. Scrub your nails with this mixture for about 2-3 minutes then rinse with clean water. Be sure to moisturize your hands and nails after using this mixture as hydrogen peroxide can dry them out.
- Consider adding a few drops of lemon juice to this paste for a stronger whitening effect.
- Alternatively, you can make a solution by adding 1 cup of water to a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and soaking your nails in it for about 5-10 minutes.
Step 5. Apply whitening toothpaste to the nail surface
Apply a thin layer of toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide all over the yellowed nail. Use your fingertips or an old, soft toothbrush to rub the toothpaste all over your nails. Let the toothpaste sit on your nails for about 10 minutes then rinse with clean water.
After rinsing off the toothpaste, apply lotion to your hands and nails to moisturize them
Step 6. Whiten your nails with a denture cleaning tablet
Put 2-4 denture cleanser tablets in a bowl of water until dissolved then soak your nails in it for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, dry your hands with a paper towel and then apply a small amount of lotion.
You can soak your nails in this solution several times a month. However, be sure to soak your bare nails without a coat of polish
Step 7. Use tea tree oil
If your nails are yellowing due to toenail fungus instead of constant use of nail polish, tea tree oil can fix it. Apply a few drops of natural tea tree oil to your nails twice a day and use your fingertips to massage it all over your nails.
Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant that fights fungus, so it can help treat yellowed nails
Step 8. Consult a doctor
If your nails are very yellow in color, or if the color doesn't go away after trying the methods above, you may have a nail infection or yellow nail syndrome. The doctor can properly examine your problem and prescribe medicated creams or supplements to treat yellowing nails.
Zinc supplements are commonly used to help treat yellowed nails
Part 2 of 2: Prevent Yellowing Nails
Step 1. Use a primer
Use clear nail polish as a base coat all over your nails before applying colored nail polish. This thin base coat is useful as a protective layer of nails from the dyes in colored nail polish that can leave stains and make nails yellow. Allow the basecoat to dry for about 5 minutes before continuing to apply colored nail polish.
Base polish also acts as a binding layer for colored nail polish
Step 2. Avoid dark nail polish
Dark nail polishes (black, purple, blue, and red) contain pigments that can change the color of your nails if they come into direct contact with your nails. Using a primer can help prevent this type of paint from staining. In general, though, try choosing a lighter shade of nail polish every now and then.
Using light or light nail polish can also help your nails take a break from the harsh dyes found in dark nail polish
Step 3. Don't use nail polish
Try leaving your nails unpainted at all. Leave your nails bare and breathing for 3-4 days each week. Not using nail polish for a few days also allows your nails to be exposed to air naturally before they are covered in paint again.