Smoking causes countless negative health effects, but it also has obvious cosmetic consequences, such as yellow nicotine stains on nails and fingers. You may think they are permanent stains, but there are actually several remedies to get rid of them or at least to reduce their intensity.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Remove Nicotine Stains from Fingers
Step 1. Use a file
You can "file" your fingers to partially remove the nicotine stains. Apply light pressure to rub the rough patch of the file over the yellowish spots on your fingers. After a minute or two you should notice that the color is less visible.
- Don't rub your fingers for more than a few seconds or they might get irritated.
- The sandpaper you find on matchboxes also works well.
- Stop the treatment if your skin becomes red or irritated.
Step 2. Apply a bleach solution
Make a water-diluted bleach mixture to get rid of yellow nicotine residues. Pour one part in 4 parts of water into a glass container, then dip a nail brush in the solution and rub it on the areas of the fingers to be treated. Leave on for a few minutes and rinse at the end.
- If this is not enough to get rid of the stains, you can dip your fingers directly into the solution for 5 minutes at a time, up to five times a day.
- After rinsing your hands, apply a moisturizer or cream to help combat dryness caused by bleach.
- You should wear a mask on your face when proceeding with this method.
- Do not attempt this remedy if you have open wounds or if you have just tried another stain removal treatment.
- Don't use bleach if you know you are sensitive to it. If you notice any skin irritation, rinse immediately to get rid of the substance.
Step 3. Rub your fingers with the toothpaste
This is another useful product for your purpose. Take any one and put a small amount on the areas to be treated. Then use a toothbrush and scrub for a few minutes; when finished, rinse with warm water.
Take whitening toothpaste if the nicotine stains are particularly stubborn
Step 4. Use lemon juice
It is a natural whitening agent, effective for removing stains from fingers. Take a knife and cut a lemon in half; place the pulp of the fruit on your fingers, rubbing until they are completely impregnated with the juice.
- Leave the juice to act for 5-10 minutes and then rinse with hot water.
- You can repeat the procedure up to five times a day.
- Be aware that lemon can cause a stinging sensation if you have small cuts on your fingertips.
Step 5. Rub your fingers with a potato
This is a gentler method than the others and can be a good solution if you have sensitive skin. Peel a potato and rub it for a few minutes on the skin to be treated; when finished, rinse to remove any residue.
You can repeat the treatment up to ten times a day
Step 6. Dissolve an aspirin in water
Take an aspirin tablet and dissolve it in 250ml of very hot water. Wait for it to cool down a bit and soak your stained fingers for several minutes. When you're done, wash your hands with soap and water.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops of water to a single aspirin tablet and form a paste to rub into your nails. Use a nail brush to apply the mixture to the yellowed areas and leave it on for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse off by washing your hands thoroughly
Part 2 of 3: Remove Nicotine Stains from Nails
Step 1. Dip your nails in hydrogen peroxide
This substance has whitening properties and can eliminate traces of nicotine from the nails. Pour 50-60ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide into 120ml of water and mix thoroughly. Then put your fingertips in the solution and let them soak for about 15 minutes. Use a toothbrush to scrub any residue and rinse thoroughly when finished.
- You can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your nails once a week for up to three months.
- This remedy can cause a stinging sensation if you have small cuts on your fingers.
Step 2. Apply apple cider vinegar
This substance contains acetic and malic acid, both of which can reduce stains on the nails. Pour 120 ml of warm water into a dish with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar. Soak the nails to be treated in the solution for about twenty minutes. When finished, rinse and use a cloth to dry your fingers.
- You can repeat the treatment three times a day for a month.
- This can also cause a stinging sensation if you have open wounds on your fingers.
Step 3. Soak your nails in mouthwash
This is an equally effective remedy for getting rid of unpleasant nail stains. Pour an alcohol-based mouthwash into a clean plastic cup. Add enough to soak your nails and let them soak for half an hour.
- You can repeat the procedure once a day for a week.
- You can get better results with a mouthwash like Listerine or similar alcohol-based ones.
Step 4. Rub the orange peel on your nails
The peel also contains a lot of vitamin C and can be useful for removing yellow spots from the nails. Peel an orange and rub the inside of it on your stained nails for 5-10 minutes at a time.
- You can do the treatment 2-3 times a day for several weeks.
- You can also make a paste with two teaspoons of dried orange peel and a few drops of water. Take a nail brush and apply the mixture on the affected fingers. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. You can repeat the treatment twice a day for a couple of weeks.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Nicotine Stains
Step 1. Wear gloves when you smoke
If the smoke does not come into contact with your fingers, it cannot stain them. Try to wear gloves when you want to smoke to prevent the smoke from touching your skin.
Simple knitted winter gloves can reduce your exposure to smoke, even if they can't completely block it. You should wear vinyl or leather gloves for better protection
Step 2. Apply a thick lotion to your hands and fingers before smoking
This way, you create a barrier between your fingers and the smoke. Spread a thick layer of hand cream or petroleum jelly before lighting a cigarette.
It is a good idea to put the lotion on even after smoking, as it helps reduce the smell of smoke
Step 3. Wash your hands immediately after smoking
It is important to maintain good hygiene practice if you are a smoker. The smell of cigarettes can stay on your hands for a long time, and if you don't wash them, the nicotine has plenty of time to stain your fingers.
Get into the good habit of washing them with soap and water as soon as you finish your cigarette
Step 4. Stop smoking
As long as you continue to smoke, you run a higher risk of staining your fingers and nails with nicotine. You can choose to join a support group to help you break free from this habit. You can also contact your doctor to prescribe non-staining cigarette substitutes, such as nicotine patches or e-cigarettes, or ask for more information about other solutions that do not cause stains on the fingers.
Avoid chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, or any other method that leaves stains and residues on other parts of the body, such as the teeth
Step 5. Smoke through a device
You can smoke by applying a metal device that separates the tobacco product from your hand or mouth, such as a hookah or metal mouthpiece. This option offers no health benefits, but it does reduce the amount of nicotine that settles on your fingers.
- If you choose the hookah, grab the middle part of the metal end you suck from, while the other end is connected to the large tobacco container which is heated.
- If you use mouthpieces or other metal pipes, simply place your cigarette on one end of the device and grab it while inhaling the smoke from the other free end.
- The smoke produced using the hookah has a greater volume than a normal cigarette; it is cooled as it passes through the water system before reaching the tube from which it is inhaled.
Advice
- See a doctor or dermatologist if you have more severe skin problems.
- You should quit smoking if you want to avoid or reduce these problems in the bud.
Warnings
- Seek medical attention if any of these methods cause you a lot of skin irritation, pain, discomfort, or aggravate the situation in any way.
- Don't consume chewing gum or nicotine candy, they can ruin your teeth.
- Don't follow these methods if you have open wounds on your hands.
