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