Are you looking for some tips to clean your nails creatively? Whether you want to find a quick cleansing routine or find deeper cleansing solutions, you've come to the right place. Get them back as bright, shiny and strong as they once were by following these tips.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Quick Cleaning
Step 1. Remove the dirt under the nails
Using the tip of the file found in the clippers, clean under the nails to remove the accumulated dirt. It is best if you are in the bathroom when you do this treatment, with good light, so you can see the nails clearly.
- Generally, it is easier to remove dirt before washing your hands and not afterwards. The drier they are, the better the result.
- Avoid using a pencil to clean your nails - lead can make them look even dirtier.
Step 2. Wash your hands
Use a mild natural soap and wash your hands under warm water. You don't necessarily have to focus specifically on your nails, just brushing them normally.
It is usually best to use a mild soap and wash your hands more often. Aggressive paraben-based soaps, as well as alcohol-based hand sanitizers, weaken nails making them brittle. If you prefer, you can look for specific soaps on the market
Step 3. Soak your nails in a bowl of warm, soapy water for about three minutes
Keep your fingertips in the water, not all of your hands, and let them soften a little. Make sure the water is neither too cold nor too hot, but that it has a comfortable, lukewarm temperature.
Nails that are left to soak for a while become softer and more flexible and are more likely to chip or break as you clean them
Step 4. Use a toothbrush to scrub the tips of the nails
After leaving them immersed in water, scrub them thoroughly on the underside vigorously. Once done, pat your hands dry.
If you don't have a specific nail brush, get a clean toothbrush and use it only for this purpose
Step 5. Remove the nail polish if necessary
Use nail polish remover or acetone and wet your nails to remove the polish with cotton balls or wipes. Rub vigorously to remove the nail polish, starting from the cuticle and moving towards the tip of your finger, do not forget to work on the sides as well. Check carefully to see if any traces of nail polish are left and, if necessary, remove them.
The solvent should dry well on its own, but you can keep a dry cotton ball or tissue nearby
Step 6. Wash your hands again
Rinse them again quickly and then always pat them dry, without rubbing them. Apply a rich moisturizer if desired, or otherwise follow your regular cleansing routine.
Make sure you treat all your nails and, if necessary, file or trim them. Finish the treatment by applying a clear polish to strengthen them
Part 2 of 2: Deep Cleaning
Step 1. Apply baking soda to whiten your nails
If you want strong, healthy-looking nails that look clean and, above all, stay clean, make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, using about 2.5 tablespoons of baking soda per 1 tablespoon of peroxide. of hydrogen. Carefully spread the paste over and under your nails, then rinse and dry them.
- Applying it every week, this mixture helps keep your nails white and bright, especially if you have previously applied a dark polish.
- Alternatively, if you don't want to make a homemade blend, try applying whitening toothpaste following the same method. The active ingredients are substantially similar.
Step 2. Moisturize your nails every week
To keep them flexible, without cracks or other problems, it is a good idea to regularly moisturize them with aloe, cocoa butter cream, or even natural oils such as olive or coconut. These natural treatments don't necessarily change the look of your nails, but they help keep them soft and supple throughout the week.
Step 3. Treat yellow nails with lemon juice or tea tree oil
If your nails tend to be yellowish, due to cigarette smoke, excessive use of nail polish, or even a fungal infection, it can be difficult to treat them and get rid of the unsightly color. Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide with antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, while lemon juice or essential oil contains citric acid which helps whiten nails and restore them to their original shine.
If you have yellow nails, try applying a small amount of tea tree oil to each nail with a dropper and let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse. In the same way, you can apply lemon juice, washing and cleaning your hands as normal
Step 4. Use a denture cleaner
Although it may seem strange to you, denture cleaning tablets have a high content of citric acid and baking soda, and can also be used to clean, whiten and otherwise improve the appearance of nails. Instead of soaking the denture in the cleaning solution, dip your nails.
Step 5. Try Apple Cider Vinegar
It is rich in malic and acetic acid, both with cleansing and antifungal properties that help whiten nails and prevent them from becoming infected or stained. Dilute the vinegar in equal parts with water and soak your nails for up to 20 minutes.
Step 6. Take supplements to strengthen your nails
There are many misconceptions about natural remedies to strengthen nails, but the only sure way to do this is to include supplements in your diet. The only supplement that has actually been shown to strengthen nails is biotin, which must be taken for about six months before you can see any positive results.
Most home remedies, like applying garlic or eating more protein, don't help your nails grow faster or stronger
Step 7. Stay some time without nail polish
If you wear it constantly, know that in the long run it can stain and weaken your nails, even if you clean them thoroughly between each application. It's a good idea to let them grow back a little, at least once a year, so they come back strong and healthy in color, avoiding nail polish for a month or two.
- Instead of applying nail polish, take the opportunity to truly pamper your nails by applying layers of home cleansers and whiteners to restore them to their natural state.
- In addition, it is important to always put a layer of clear nail polish before adding the colored one, to prevent them from getting stained.
Advice
- Don't bite your nails. Biting your nails weakens them, becomes an automatic addictive behavior and is downright bad taste. To discourage this vice, you can paint them with a clear nail polish that tastes terrible. Keep them short or get a nice manicure so you won't be tempted to eat them.
- Regularly clean your nails with olive oil and lemon juice to keep them healthy and shiny naturally! It's that simple!
- If you want to make your nails grow longer, when you apply the lotion or oil, massage the lower nail base and cuticles to stimulate blood flow.
- Always protect your nails. If you paint them in a suitable color, be sure to apply a layer of clear nail polish between coats of color. Reapply clear polish every other day and wear gloves when cleaning.
- To make your nails grow more, apply a coat of clear polish over the manicure every day for 5-7 days. Also put it over the edge of the nail to protect the tip. When finished, remove and clean the nail polish as described in this article.
- Don't expose your nails too much to water or chemicals, such as cleaning products.
Warnings
- Be careful when cutting and cleaning your nails. Don't cut them so much that they bleed or sore. Be careful not to stick the file or other tools into the flesh. Be very careful.
- When filing your nails and cutting your cuticles be cautious and don't hit the skin, you could get hurt and get different nails than the others.
- Nail polish can be a bit sticky at times. Practice spreading it out using a rag or cloth as a base. If you're really having a hard time, ask a friend to do it for you.
