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