Hangnails, cracked nails, and nail ridges—oh my! With so many things that can make our nails look a little worn, well… cluttered, it’s surprising that nail care isn’t a full-time job. Luckily, keeping your nails in tip top shape is easy, and all it takes is the right products and a little know-how. Keep reading to learn the best ways to care for your nails, as well as what foods to eat to strengthen your nails from the inside out.

[Edit]things you should know

• Trim your nails once a week and use a nail file to keep them flat and smooth.
• Apply cuticle oil and nail hardener to strengthen your nails and the skin around them.
• To avoid damaging your nails, use natural products that don’t contain acetone.
• Eat foods rich in biotin and zinc to promote healthy nail growth.

[Edit]step

[Edit]taking care of your nails

1. Clip your nails once every other week. Try not to bite your nails when they grow long. Instead, maintain a set of beautiful nails by trimming them regularly. While it may be tempting to grow them out, aim to keep your nails a manageable length. Use a pair of sanitized nail clippers to create an even, consistent trim.^[1]
   
   • You do not need to constantly bite your nails. If you cut your nails too short, you run the risk of injuring your nail bed.
   • Ideally, your nails should be cut straight with a slight curve around the corners. This will help prevent ingrown nails.
2. Keep the edges of your nails smooth with a nail file. If you break or scrape a nail on a rough surface, don’t panic. Instead of biting or biting the nail, use a smooth file to buff off the sharp edges. When you file, use smooth, quick motions, working the tool in one direction. Try to keep a nail file on your person at all times in case of emergency.^[2]
   
   • If your nails require a lot of daily maintenance, consider keeping a nail file in your purse as well as at home.
3. Use nail clippers to trim your hangnail at the root. Don’t clip your hangnails by hand—this can cause you to tear the skin around your fingers (ouch!) To prevent infection, use a pair of clippers to cut your hangnails at the root. Additionally, try to avoid biting or gnawing at your hangnail, as this will do more harm than good.^[3]
   
   • Take care of hangnails as soon as you notice them to prevent them from getting worse.
4. Apply cuticle oil once a day. Keep your nails fresh and hydrated by replenishing cuticle oil every day. Use a brush applicator to apply a generous layer of oil around the cuticle. Don’t worry about soaking it up until your fingers start to drip oil.^[4]
   
   • If you don’t have any cuticle oil, you can always make your own by mixing essential oils or using a combination of vitamin E, coconut, almond and olive oils.
   • Nourished cuticles will make your nails healthy and strong.^[5]
5. Apply nail strengthener to harden your nails. Do your nails feel brittle or weak? If so, then nail hardener may be just the product for you. Swipe the product on like normal nail polish once a day, then let it soak in. Over time, your nails will harden and become stronger.^[6]
   
6. Leave your cuticles alone to prevent infection. Avoid the temptation to bite or bite your nails. While they may seem strange at times, you need healthy, intact cuticles to keep bad bacteria out of your nails. If they’re really bothering you, use a cuticle pusher to push them further down your nail.^[7]
   
   • If your cuticles become infected, your nails will look swollen.
7. Use nail products that do not contain acetone. Avoid products with ingredients that can damage your nails, such as acetone. Instead, remove polish without using remover with products such as hydrogen peroxide or toothpaste. Test out different methods until you find one that works well for your nails!^[8]
   
   • Harsh chemicals can wear down your nails after prolonged use, making them look unattractive.
8. Scrub under your nails with soap and water as needed. Avoid picking at dirt and other debris from your nails with a sharp object, such as a metal tool. If you do this regularly, you can separate your nail plate from the nail bed. Instead, wash your hands as needed, using gentle motions to scrub under your nails.^[9]
   
   • Don’t wash your hands too vigorously. If you rub under your nails too much, you can still damage your nail beds.

[Edit]maintaining a healthy diet

1. To make your nails thicker, eat foods rich in biotin. Include fresh, biotin-rich foods in your diet such as cauliflower, eggs, beans, bananas, lentils, salmon and peanuts. Monitor your nails for several weeks to see if they feel stronger and thicker.^[10]
   
   • You can also take a biotin supplement.^[11] Always talk to your doctor when adding any new supplement to your regimen, and read the label to make sure you’re taking the proper dosage.
   • As a bonus, biotin also helps strengthen your hair.
2. To strengthen your nails, eat foods that contain a lot of protein.^[12] If you eat meat and other animal products, try to include chicken, lean red meat, dairy and eggs in your diet. Additionally, you can opt for whole grains, soybeans and nuts regardless of your dietary preferences. As you make these small changes to your diet, keep an eye on your nails to see if you notice they are getting stronger and fuller.^[13]
   
   • Protein is essential in any diet, even if your nails are already in great shape!
   • If you have a choice, choose foods and drinks with the lowest levels of fat. For example, skimmed or 2% milk contains much less fat than whole milk.
3. Avoid foods with a lot of processed ingredients to keep your nails healthy. Try to eat fresh, natural foods or prepared foods that contain fewer ingredients. When given the choice, opt for produce and other fresh foods over packaged snacks and meals. If you eat a more organic diet, your nails are more likely to grow and improve.^[14]
   
   • Processed foods don’t specifically hurt your nails; However, your nails (and the rest of your body) do much better when you make healthy choices in your diet.
4. Prevent brittle nails by eating plenty of zinc. Opt for cashews, oysters, lobster, lean beef, soybeans and green beans as remedies for weak nails. If you want a more concentrated dose of zinc, try taking a zinc supplement.^[15]
   
   • If you regularly eat plenty of zinc-rich foods, you don’t need to worry about taking supplements. Always talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

[Edit]getting a fun manicure

1. Paint your nails with a few strokes of colored polish. Choose your favorite polish color and apply it smoothly on the surface of the nail. Do not use repeated brushing motions to apply the product; Instead, move the polish down the center, right, and left of the nail for a smoother appearance. Allow the first coat of polish to dry completely before applying another.^[16]
   
   • Follow the directions on the bottle to see how long it takes for the polish to dry.
   • For a longer lasting manicure, apply a base coat to your nails before applying any colored polish. Additionally, consider applying a top coat over colored lacquer to add an extra layer of protection.
2. If you want defined nail tips, go for a French manicure. Paint your nails a pale pink shade, or a nude tone that matches the natural color of your nails. Complete the look by adding a round outline of white polish around the tip of the nail. If you want your nails to look especially sleek, visit a salon to get them done.^[17]
   
   • Inverted French manicure is also a great option to make your nails look beautiful. Instead of painting the outline on the nail tip, the outline goes along the base of your nail.
3. If you want artificial nails, choose a gel, shellac or acrylic manicure. Treat yourself to a fun manicure where you can get long, fake nails. Choose an acrylic manicure if you prefer a powder-base for your nails. If you prefer a harder, more long-lasting manicure, opt for a gel process instead. If you prefer a mix of gel and regular nail polish, opt for a shellac manicure at the salon.^[18]
   
   • Looking For A New Salon? Always see a licensed professional to keep your nails healthy.
   • Keep in mind that wearing false nails can wear down your natural nails over time. Experts generally recommend saving fake nails for a special occasion like a wedding or school dance.
4. Try a dip manicure to add some sparkle to your nails. Opt for a beautiful, low-maintenance manicure by requesting a Dip Powder Manicure at your next salon visit. Unlike gel and acrylic manicures, you don’t need to keep the nail submerged under UV light.^[19]
   
   • Dip powder nails are much easier to remove than regular nails.

[Edit]Reference

[Edit]quick summary