Saturday, August 14, 2010

Common Nail Care Misconceptions

By Jen Hopkins

When it comes to taking care of their nails, different people have different styles and beliefs as to how they can make their nails beautiful. Some may do it correctly, while others may have misconceptions when it comes to nail care and this may result to the weakening of their nails.

One of the more common myths when it comes to the use of nail polish in nails is that polishes that contain hardeners will help you have stronger nails. This is not usually the case as using hardeners will only increase the stiffness of your nails. When this happens, it becomes more prone to breaking, even after just a small amount of stress is applied to it.

Another way to make your nails more resistant to damage is by making sure that they are always hydrated. Dry nails are much easier to break, especially after they have been exposed to drying agents such as soap and bleach. Be sure to hydrate your nails using hand lotion every time you expose your nails to such substances.

Another practice that is done my most women is the pushing back of their cuticles. Most people believe that this will help make their nails grow better. On the contrary, most dermatologists will not advise this as pushing the cuticles may cause complications. The cuticle serves as protection for your nail root, and removing this may expose the nail bed to possible infections.

The use of artificial nails is also popular especially for those who have ugly or damaged nails while waiting for nails to grow back. Unfortunately, chemicals used in the application of these artificial nails may further add to the injury on your nails. this also increases the risk for an infection as microbes can accumulate beneath the nails and proliferate, later causing complications.

You should always remember that even though nails are constantly growing, they grow at a very slow pace. This means that having broken and ugly nails are not very easy to fix. You will have to wait several months for a broken nail to regenerate before it will go back to its normal state.

Going to a nail salon to get nails done is a good way to relax and have beautiful nails. But you should also be sure that your favorite nail salon practices good cleaning habits when it comes to their tools. Sharing tools with other people is an easy way to have infected nails. Salons that use gels and other equipment that do not involve contact with the previous customer may be better for your health.

So before you continue doing your old nail care practices, be sure to research and find the basis behind these practices. You might be doing more damage to your nails than you realize. If you are not sure with your practices, it is best to consult with a dermatologist before you inflict some serious damage to your nails.

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