It is very important that the fingernails and toenails are constantly trimmed to the correct length. If they were too long and poorly maintained they could become sharp, serrated and therefore dangerous. You don't have to cut them too short, just care for them every few weeks to make sure they grow healthily. Keep reading this article to learn more about manicure and pedicure techniques.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Wash your hands and feet
Soak your nails for a few minutes before cutting them; this will soften the calcified growths and the procedure will be easier. If the nails are less brittle, it is difficult for them to chip. Dry your hands and feet after washing them. You can cut your nails even while they are wet, but you will have more control over the cut if you let them dry first.
This step is especially good for toenails. These, in general, are thicker and harder than those of the hands, especially the nail of the big toe
Step 2. Choose your tool
You can use a nail clipper or manicure scissors. The choice mostly depends on your personal preferences. Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each tool:
- Nail clippers are inexpensive, simple to use, and widely available. I am able to cut nails thanks to the concave edge blades. This feature makes operations very quick and easy, but you may have some difficulty if the nails have grown too much or too little. The specific clippers for the feet are usually more "aggressive", in order to manage nails with a greater thickness and have straight blades to avoid the risk of ingrown toenails.
- Manicure scissors are less common than nail clippers, but some people prefer them. If you choose this tool, you will have to be much more careful and precise. However, scissors allow you more control and allow you to better follow the curvature of the nail. Manicure scissors, as the name suggests, are best suited for hand nail care; for the feet you should rely on the most resistant clippers.
- It is too dangerous to use sharp cutting tools for these operations. Avoid knives, razor blades, or regular scissors; you may lose your grip on these tools and injure yourself near the nail.
Step 3. Check that the clipper is clean
If possible, buy a manicure set and a pedicure set. Wash your equipment regularly with a disinfectant for the sake of hygiene. Dish soap or an antibacterial cleaner are perfect - soak the tools in a bowl of soapy boiling water for 10 minutes.
Step 4. Consider where you cut your nails
Make sure to pick up the pieces of fingernail and cuticles that you have cut to avoid disgusting other people living with you with nail residue on the floor. Consider dropping your trimmed nails into a trash or compost bin. Keep your hands or feet right above the container, make sure the fragments fall into it, and pick up any that scatter around the room. Do not cut your nails in a public place and avoid doing it near people who are talking.
If possible, throw the nail clippings in the compost. They don't take up much space and are still organic material that will decompose. Do not compost fake nails, acrylic nails or nails covered with an excessive layer of nail polish, as they are not biodegradable
Part 2 of 3: Cut the Nails
Step 1. Trim your nails often, but don't be too zealous
Human nails grow about 2.5mm per month, which means it takes 3-6 months for a complete "replacement" of the nail. If you cut them frequently, such as once a week, you don't need to worry about them looking poorly groomed or overgrowing. If you experience pain at the edge of the nail, it may be ingrown. Try to cut the piece that is digging into the skin before it penetrates too deep.
Step 2. Trim your fingernails
Your goal is to get rid of the dull, whitish tip protruding from your fingertip. Try to make a cut that is almost completely straight and then round it slightly towards the edges. This reduces the risk of your nails becoming ingrown.
If you are a guitarist who arpeggiates with your fingers, consider leaving the nails on the affected hand a little longer. They should protrude from the fingertip by 1.5-2 mm
Step 3. Make small cuts
To cut the nail outline you should make a lot of short cuts; do not try to remove the excess in one operation. Toenails, by nature, have an oval shape and a single cut tends to flatten them.
Step 4. Trim your toenails
Use the same technique you used for your hands. Toenails are usually thicker than hand nails, so don't use small clippers. Also try to separate foot tools from hand tools to avoid spreading bacteria.
Step 5. Be careful not to cut them too short
For reasons of comfort, aesthetics or some obsession, you may be tempted to cut too large a portion of the nail. However, this would expose a sensitive part of the skin under the nail and make it more susceptible to infection. Try to keep your nails flush with your fingertips, trim off the excess leaving only a thin dull line.
Part 3 of 3: File Your Nails
Step 1. Consider filing your nails after you have trimmed them
This is not a mandatory step, but this way you can give them the shape you want. The cut may leave the edges jagged, but they can be smoothed out easily with the file. To do this, get a file, pumice stone, or other hard, rough-surfaced tool.
Serrated nails can pull the threads of clothes, socks and tights. If the nails get stuck in some tissue, they can break or tear
Step 2. Wait for them to dry
Wait until your nails are perfectly dry and hardened. If you file them when they are still soft, you will not be able to smooth the rough and jagged edges; furthermore, you could break and chip them.
Step 3. Limale
Use a specific file to give them the shape you prefer and make sure the edges of the tool are smooth. Always proceed with long, gentle movements from the sides towards the center of the nail. First use the rougher side of the file to shape and remove most of the excess material. Finally, use the smoother side to finish the edges and smooth them out.
The nails should be oval or slightly triangular, but not pointed. This way you prevent them from breaking. Also, keep in mind that they weaken if you file them too much at the corners and along the side edges
Step 4. Check your work
As you trim or file your nails, check the situation to make sure they are all the same length and shape. Also check that they are smooth and uniform; jagged or pointed nails cause painful inconvenience during daily activities. Keep cutting and filing them until they are all even.
Advice
- Massage your nails every night with a nourishing oil or emollient cream. This way you hydrate them and prevent them from splintering or crumbling. An inexpensive alternative to specific nourishing oil is olive oil (just a few drops are enough).
- There are nail clippers specially designed for toenails. A regular clipper has slightly curved blades, while a foot clipper makes straight cuts to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails.
- Clean the area under your nails with a sharp cotton swab. This tool is gentler than a nail brush and reduces the risk of skin irritation.
- Polish your nails to make them smooth and shiny. Massage your cuticles with a cream to keep them healthy and hydrated.
- Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes. The first cause of too soft nails is excessive exposure to water. If you have soft, damp nails, be very careful until they dry out.
- Apply hand cream every time you wash them. The oil contained in it seals the moisture in the nails.
- Your nails should just be sticking out of your fingertips. This is the ideal length that fits all hands.
- If you have very weak nails, apply base and colored nail polish under the tip as well to further strengthen them.
- To prevent mud and dirt from accumulating under your nails while gardening or doing other similar work, scrape a bar of soap with your nails. In this way the soap will fill the available space and the dirt will not be able to creep in.
- Thoroughly clean the area under your nails to prevent bacteria from proliferating.
Warnings
- Before proceeding, clean all manicure and pedicure tools. Just let them soak for 10 minutes in boiling soapy water.
- Don't bite your nails, they get ugly and you could make them ingrown.
- When cutting them, don't work too quickly. Be careful not to cut them too short or sever the skin.
- Don't cut your cuticles too much or they will bleed. They perform a very specific function, they prevent the nail bed from becoming contaminated with germs.
