| Your nails may be small but they play an | | | | |
| important role, serving to help protect your | | | | It is also a good idea to have some cotton |
| fingers and improve dexterity. They also may | | | | swabs handy, in case you get nail polish on |
| reveal clues to your general health. Women | | | | your skin. |
| spend hours painting and decorating them. | | | | |
| Beauty salons offer all kinds of services for | | | | "Bulletproof" them. By this, I mean protect |
| them. But keeping your nails clean and | | | | your nails from injury by wearing |
| healthy is a simple matter that doesn't cost | | | | cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing |
| much. Sometimes, all it takes is a little | | | | dishes or when soaking them in water for a |
| common sense. Take a close look at your | | | | long time. This will protect your nails from |
| nails. Are they strong and healthy looking? | | | | the drying effects of soap, water, and other |
| Or do you see ridges, dents or areas of | | | | harsh chemicals that your nails come in |
| unusual color or shape? Many less than | | | | contact with. |
| desirable nail conditions can be avoided | | | | |
| through proper care, but some actually | | | | Moisturize them. Just like your skin, your |
| indicate an illness that requires attention. | | | | nails need moisture too. Keep your nails in |
| | | | top shape by using a good lotion or |
| To keep your nails attractive and avoid | | | | moisturizer after washing your hands. |
| undesirable problems like fungal infections | | | | |
| that can make your nails ugly and deformed, | | | | While some nails benefit from not using |
| here are some tips to consider: | | | | polish, mine seem to love the stuff. If they |
| | | | are polished, I seem to notice them more and |
| Use your nails properly. Nails protect the | | | | devote a little more attention to them. They |
| ends of fingers and toes and help us pick up | | | | really seem to like that. |
| things. Don't abuse them by using them as a | | | | |
| can opener, staple remover, screwdriver or | | | | If you have weak nails that tend to split or |
| scraper. | | | | break, keep your nails short and trim them |
| | | | after bathing. Use a nail hardener but avoid |
| While watching tv, moisturize your hands AND | | | | products containing toluene sulfonamide or |
| nails with your favorite hand lotion. It's | | | | formaldehyde that can cause redness or |
| not only relaxing, it helps strengthen the | | | | irritate the skin. |
| nails. | | | | |
| | | | Moisturize your feet daily, especially in the |
| Don't bite them. Some people have a nasty | | | | summer. Best to use a cream specifically for |
| habit of biting their fingernails. This not | | | | feet, as the skin needs of the foot are |
| only ruins their appearance but damages the | | | | different that the rest of your body. Don't |
| nail bed and puts you at risk for infection. | | | | get the moisturizer between your toes to |
| If you're hungry, head for the nearest deli | | | | avoid fungal infections. |
| and order your favorite meal. You'll be doing | | | | |
| your nails a big favor. | | | | Dietary changes that supposedly strengthen |
| | | | nails don't work. Unless you're deficient in |
| Keep your nails clean. You may have the looks | | | | protein - rare among people in the United |
| and the most expensive suit. But if your | | | | States - adding protein to your diet won't |
| nails are dirty, you're no better than a | | | | strengthen your nails. Similarly, soaking |
| monkey! Dirty nails turn people off and | | | | your nails in gelatin won't help either. |
| reflect your personality so make sure they | | | | |
| always look their best. Trim them and clean | | | | It's easy to neglect your nails. But a little |
| under the nails regularly. Use a good pair of | | | | basic nail care can go a long way to keeping |
| manicure scissors and an emery board to | | | | your nails in healthy condition. |
| smoothen nail edges. | | | | |