Nails are but pieces of dead protein attached to the ends of our fingers and toes. We often do not think much about them because they have always been there. But the nails serve many important purposes, from protecting the end of our digits to helping us pick small objects. They are pretty plain and simple to look at and vary little from person to person. However, they speak volumes about our health, lifestyle and levels of hygiene. They may be tough and lifeless, but they need to be cared for as much as the other parts of the bodies.
Knowing the nail
The nail is made up of keratin, a toughened protein. It consists of the non-living visible part that covers the skin at the end of our fingers and toes and the living part embedded in the skin that produces cells and is responsible for nail growth. It is translucent and appears pink because of the blood capillaries that lie underneath it.
Healthy nails are characteristic by a pinkish hue, well-shaped edges and proper curvature. Healthy nails come from good nutrition, proper hygiene and adequate care.
When nails go bad
Just because nails are tough does not mean they are immune. Our nails are vulnerable to various infections, irregularities and disorders. Fungal infections make up for a majority of most nail-related problems, causing discoloration and fungal growth. Trauma can cause ridges, bleeding or detachment of the nail from the finger. Bacterial infections can also arise out of continuous exposure to moisture or contact with chemicals. Wearing ill-fitting shoes or cutting the nail too short can cause the nail to grow inwards, causing pain.
Apart from these, the nails can also be an indicator of various other conditions. Indentations along the nail plate, called beau lines, are caused when the living part of the nail is affected by pneumonia, measles or heart attack. Lifted nails can be a symptom of underlying diseases such as eczema, psoriasis or thyroid diseases. A deficiency in iron can cause the finger nails to scoop out, with a depression at the center. Opaque nails with dark tips can be caused by cirrhosis, cancer or heart failures.
Nail care
Healthy and attractive nails become a part of our personality. Proper nail care goes a long way in keeping them healthy and clean. It is obvious that our nail care procedures vary from person to person and differ by age, gender and lifestyle. Here are a few tips on caring for your nails for both the sexes.
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Yes, that nail polish is a thing for the other sex and many still feel uncomfortable being spotted en route to a manicure. But at the end of the day, we need to pay attention to our nails. Bad nails do not make a good image for any man.
- Keeping them neat and trimmed is the most important thing to do. Cut your nails regularly. Filing them prevents ridges at the edge and gives them a neat look. Also, give them a slight buff at the top so that they look glossy. This is perhaps the best alternative to a nail polish and gives you the shiny nails without having to use 'feminine' stuff.
- Moisten your nails before cutting them. Soaking them in soap water for sometime helps make them softer. Cutting them while they are dry and brittle will give them odd, geometric shapes.
- Pushing back your cuticles a bit also prevents cracks and gives your nails a nice new look. After all, if you are going to be shaking hands with people a lot, you might as well invest more time in making those hands look better.
- Also, getting a manicure isn't necessarily feminine. A lot of men do it these days. It gives one a feeling of being pampered while at the same time brightening up your nails. It's always worth a try and those who do not wish to do it again do not need to.
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- A regular manicure either by a professional or at home keeps your nails healthy and good-looking. If you choose to carry out your nail care routine at home, specially if your nails require some working on in-between manicure visits, ensure that you spend enough time on it and do it the right way.
- Brittle nails are not nice to cut. Soak them in water so that they become soft and can be cut and shaped easily.
- Cut them in the desired fashion, not too close to the nail bed and at the same time, not too long. Very long nails crack easily since they become very dry and are not easy to care for. Avoid making sharp angles on your nails and round them up towards the corners. Also, pointed nails look like claws and do more harm than good.
- Do not forget to file your nails. The edges of the nails are usually jagged just after cutting and filing them gives them a uniform, smooth edge. Also, do not file too close to the nail bed or the cuticles since the friction can bruise the regions.
- Buffing your nails gives them a nice outer glossy shine. Fine-grained buff can also be used to create a matte surface before applying nail polish.
- While applying nail polish, always use multiple coats, starting with a base coat. The base coat prevents the nail polish from chipping away. A double-layer nail polish stays longer and gives your nails a better shine.
The final piece of advice goes to both men and women. Much of the time and effort spent in taking care of your nails count for little if you have the habit of biting nails. Bitten nails often have irregular shapes and do not look very pleasing. Since dirt tends to gather underneath our nails, biting them is also rather unhealthy. If you have healthy nails and wish to keep them that way, abstain from biting them and carry out a regular, periodic manicure routine instead.
Best Regards
Prakash Nair
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