Stop a Nail Biting Habit with Proper Natural Nail Care

Stop fastener biting. Break your toddler or child's custom early.

Beautiful hands and fastener care start with basics, and not having raggy, bleeding cuticles is a prime step in having presentable hands. Granted, one of the hardest customs to shatter is to halt fingernail gnawing, but it’s furthermore one of the more disfiguring things that can occur to a hand. We all understand somebody who bites their fasteners to the fast, then begins on those ragged cuticles. Nail-biting generally begins in early childhood as a toddler with some persons not ever outgrowing it, while other ones only revert to nail-biting in times of stress.

A digit fastener gnawing therapy that assisted remedy 18 year vintage girl's difficulty from when she was a child.

I understand a New York woman who halted gnawing her fasteners when she was eighteen, because she liked to be a air journey assistant, and she had read in one of those “How to Be a Flight Attendant” tour guides, that gnawed fasteners would hold her from being acknowledged into “Smile School”. (It was a long time before, when airlines furthermore had age limitations for stewardesses.) I adored her substantially as she halted through sheer willpower.

At first, she went retro and was dressed in hand-coverings a lot. She furthermore begun bearing a fastener document in her purse in order that when a fastener got divide or roughened, she could be careful of it on the spot. She was dressed in hand-coverings because taking off a hand-covering to gnaw a fastener is a large way to make yourself hesitate and address, and then halt the demeanour before it starts. She not ever did become a air journey assistant, but she did have her hands photographed for a bulletin publicity for the Chicago manicure and fastener salon that she frequented and one time more a couple of years subsequent for a Los Angeles fastener care and manicure salon.

Nail care and fastener gnawing products
There are some goods on the market to halt nail-biting, super-hot or acrid things to decorate on your nails. I've perceived some nail-biters state that the nasty flavour didn't halt them, but they should work for some people.

Finally, for nail-biters and non-nail-biters alike, hand elite right before bed is a large way to hold your skin smooth. When things are looking uneven (or if you’re a biter who’s endeavouring to quit), you can get some magnificently slim cotton fabric hand-coverings, slather on a hand elite like Sephora’s Bliss Glamour Glove Gel and hand-covering up until morning. The cotton fabric will hold the hand elite off the pillows and on your hands where it belongs. And for a genuine spa-treatment, get some little cotton fabric socks and give your feet the identical experience.

Nail polish displays off those fingers.

And for a little certain thing additional try a pleasant brilliant fastener polish for your next manicure. OPI fastener goods give a large expert complete that examines like you went to a manicure salon or spa. But purchaser beware of the "fake" acrylic manicure. Your own natural fasteners are better than utilising phony "glue on" nails. If your manicurist doesn't correctly clean tier devices, acrylic fastener submission can origin the feared fastener fungus that has to be particularly treated for months at a time. My recommendations save the acrylic french manicure for a exceptional happening or event like assisting the Boston symphony in a very dark sleek gown.

Know Your Nail Type

Fed up with spending time on your nails only for them to snap minutes after your manicure? Well, if the products you're using aren't right for your nail type, you could actually be killing your nails with kindness. Truth is, just like skin and hair, nails come in types- five, in fact. Nails can be dry, brittle, damaged, sort or normal, and they need to be treated accordingly. Here's how to diagnose your particular nail type - and how to treat it property.

Dry Nails
Dry nails lack lustre and look dull; plus, if you run you r thumb over the nail, it will drag slightly instead of sliding cleanly across. The secret to treating dry nails is to rehydrate them - vitamin E is fantastic for this (just like it is on dry skin) so open vitamin capsule and rub it directly onto the nails morning and evening. It'll also help if you always wear a moisturizing base coat to hydrate the nails twenty - four/seven and prevent further drying by switching from soap to hand washes. Finally, steer clear of pearlized polish. The ingredients used to make them sparkly can be dehydrating.

Brittle Nails
Gently press the sides of your nails together. If your nail doesn't bend, chances are you have brittle nails. These have no moisture left in them at all. Which also means they have no flexibility and shatter as soon as they bash on something. This causes most people to reach for the nail hardener, but this is the worst thing you can do as it makes the nail even more rigid. It's better to boost flexibility by oiling the nails nightly with almond oil instead. The shape of your nails will also add strength. The best is a squoval shape ( where the sides of the nail are left straight and only the top is rounded ), as this helps the nail absorb shocks better.

Damaged Nails
If your nails are flaking or splitting, you have damaged nails. These are most commonly caused by severe dehydration. Help them with a treatment base coat to heal the nail, but make sure that, as you apply it, you stipple it into any flaky spots (just like you would cover peeling paint). This will prevent air bubbles forming under the polish and stop flaking - which is important, as flaking polish takes nail cells with it, increasing damage.

You also need to ensure that the cells that grow through next time are strong and healthy, so use cuticle oil twice daily; if the cuticle is supple, the new cells can push through more easily so they arrive at the nail bed in the best of health.

Soft Nails
If your nails bend at the slightest touch and rarely grow past your fingertip you've got soft nails. To get them back into shape, you need to harden them up. The simple way to do this is to apply a nail hardener or try rubbing in a little essential oil of elemi (order this at health food stores). In fact, any oil will help strengthen soft nails as it keeps out their main enemy, water, which softens them even further.

Always wear gloves when you're washing up and apply hand cream after washing your hands.

Normal Nails
If you have none of the above problems - your nails bend slightly when pressed, look pink and shiny and will grow easily - you're lucky, you naturally have normal nails. Try to keep them that way by moisturizing them regularly with hand creams, and avoiding harsh detergents and overly hot water.

Felon

A felon is a severe infection of the pulpy tip of a finger, usually caused by infection with Staphylococcus bacteria occurring as an abscess of the distal pulp.

Fingertip pulp is divided into numerous small compartments by vertical septa that stabilize the pad. Infection occurring within these compartments can lead to abscess formation, edema, and rapid development of increased pressure in a closed space. This increased pressure may compromise blood flow and lead to necrosis of the skin and pulp.

Cause
A felon usually is caused by inoculation of bacteria into the fingertip through a penetrating trauma. The most commonly affected digits are the thumb and index finger.

Common predisposing causes include
Splinters,
Bits of glass,
Abrasions,
Minor puncture wounds. A puncture wound means you impaled yourself on some foreign body.
A felon also may arise when an untreated paronychia spreads into the pad of the fingertip.
Felons have been reported following multiple finger-stick blood tests.

Symptoms
Patients present with rapid onset of severe, throbbing pain, with associated redness and swelling of the fingertip. The pain caused by a felon is usually more intense than that caused by paronychia. The swelling will not extend proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint. Occasionally, the high pressure in the fingertip pad will cause a felon to spontaneously drain, resulting in a visible sinus.

Diagnosis
Bone and soft tissue radiographs should be obtained to evaluate for a foreign body

Treatment Options
If diagnosed in the early stages of cellulitis,
A felon may be treatment with elevation, oral antibiotics, and warm water or saline soaks.
Tetanus prophylaxis should be administered when necessary.

If fluctuance is present, incision and drainage are appropriate. The preferred techniques are a single volar longitudinal incision or a high lateral incision . Your doctor will make the whole finger numb by injecting an anesthetic once into each side of your finger, just beyond the knuckle of the hand. Then he or she will make one or more small cuts in the tip of your finger to allow the pus to drain out. A narrow gauze strip may be left in the wound to hold it open for continued drainage. The gauze may need to be replaced every day or two as it absorbs bacteria and debris from inside the wound. A doctor usually will prescribe antibiotics that work against "staph" bacteria infections, such as dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen, Pathocil) or cephalexin (Biocef, Keflex, Keftab).

Incision techniques not recommended include the "fish-mouth" incision, the "hockey stick" (or "J") incision, and the transverse palmar incision. These incisions are more likely to result in painful, sensitive scars and damage to neurovascular structures.

Postoperative care includes loose packing, splinting, and elevation of the hand for approximately 24 hours. Dry dressing changes with twice-daily saline soaks, range-of-motion activities and, eventually, scar massage may accelerate return to normal activity.

The recommended length of treatment varies from five to 14 days and depends on the clinical response and severity of infection.

Consult a hand surgeon for more complex cases.

Chapped Hands

Chapped hands are a result of very dry skin, occurring as a result of reduced moisture, or water, content of the skin. The surface of the skin holds a certain amount of water. When the water content decreases, the skin becomes dry, itchy, and uncomfortable.

Most of us have our pet peeves about our hands. Some have dry coarse hands; others have cold clammy hands. Some have soft thin delicate hands where the skin tears easily. A little knowledge would help you to exposed to minor cuts, burns and bruises in the kitchen or while doing chores.

Symptoms of Dry, Chapped Hands :

Hands that are chapped usually have the following characteristics:

Roughness
Dryness
Redness
Peeling
Cracking
Sensitivity
Tenderness
Causes and risks Factors :

Some individuals have a genetic predisposition to dry skin. Their skin tends to become drier, with age.
Dry air, resulting from winter's low humidity and the use of indoor heat, can cause skin to dry out.
Long, hot baths and showers can also make skin dry.
Factors that increase a person's risk of chapped hands include the following:
Frequent hand washing, which may be associated with the person's job
Prolonged exposure to cold, dry weather
Sunburn or windburn
Allergic reactions to skin care products
History of a skin disorder, such as eczema
If chapped hands are left untreated, the person may have -difficulty doing things without wearing protective gloves, recurrent skin conditions such as outbreaks of eczema or skin inflammation, infections, which may occur when bacteria enter cracks in the skin

Here are some household tips to rectify the problem.

SUGAR AND OIL :
Take 3 tablespoons of sugar, one tablespoons of oil (any oil, vegetable oils, olive oil or almond oil will do). Mix the sugar and oil, beat to a blended consistency. Rub into the hands. Keep rubbing for 5 -7 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. The dead coarse skin is removed and the hands appear soft and clean.

SUGAR AND LIME:
Take one tablespoon lemon juice, one tablespoon sugar, one tablespoon water. Lightly mix all these ingredients and rub all over the hands. Keep rubbing it in till it starts to dry. Rinse with water. Softens coarse hands.

HONEY LEMON JUICE AND OIL:
Take one-teaspoon oil (any oil, vegetable oils, olive oil or almond oil will do), one teaspoon lemon juice, one tablespoon rose water. Mix well together. Rub over crusty elbows, knuckles and other hardened areas. Keep rubbing it in, then after 5 - 7 minutes rinse off. This not only nourishes the skin, but also keeps it soft.

LEMON JUICE AND BARLEY POWDER:
Take one tablespoon barley powder, one tablespoon lime juice. In case barley powder is not available, boil barley for 10 minutes. Extract the juice and mix it with lime juice. Apply on the finger joints to get rid of dark circles. Rub well into the skin. Leave it to dry and then apply and rub again. After it has dried, then rinse off. Softens and whitens the knuckles.

POTATO JUICE:
Take two potatoes, peel and grate them. Extract juice of these potatoes. Apply all over the hands, especially over the knuckles and finger joints. The potato juice can also be applied over scars left by wounds, cuts or burns. If used regularly, it helps to eliminate these scars and lightens dark areas around the knuckles and finger joints.

ONION JUICE:
You can relieve minor kitchen burns on the hand just by rubbing a raw onion on the burn. Take an onion, cut it into half and rub on the burned area. It immediately reduces inflammation and relieves pain.

COLD MILK:
Did you know that blisters on the hands while cooking, can be cured with a cold milk compress if applied immediately? Put some cold milk on the blister; dab it two or three times on the blisters. It soothes immediately and actually aids healing.

TURMERIC POWDER:
So often hands get minor cuts while chopping vegetables or while performing other household chores. In cutting your fingers or hands, immediately apply turmeric powder onto the wound. It stops bleeding and aids healing.

GELATIN:
For those people who have split nails and cracked hands, a good 'soak' in gelatin will certainly help. Take a packet of gelatin or lemon jelly, pour it into a cup of hot water. Make a packet of gelatin or lemon jelly, pour it into a cup of hot water. Make a paste and put it to set. When it has set, soak the hands in this jelly, keep rubbing the nails and cuticles as well as the hands. Keep them soaked for at least 15 minutes. A regular use of this treatment prevents cracks on the skin of the fingers and the cracking and splitting of fingernails. Eating jelly also helps promote a healthy growth of nails.

BUTTERMILK AND ALMOND OIL:
Take one tablespoon almond oil and one cup buttermilk. Mix well, apply on the hands. Massage well, let it dry, then apply again. Repeat this till all the solution is used up. Use this at night, before bedtime. Wear cotton gloves and sleep. Next morning, rinse well. This treatment ensures that the hands remain soft and maintain a good skin texture.

Wrist & Hand Workout

Injuries to the wrist and hand commonly occur following a fall. Reaching out instinctively to break the fall often damages the wrist, resulting either in a fracture or in a strain to the ligaments that hold the bones together. Initially, there will be swelling and bruising; then, as the tissues heal, movement will feel restricted and painful. If the wrist has been in plaster, the hand and wrist often feel vulnerable when the plaster comes off; any movement may be difficult and painful.

For these injuries it is important to start with simple movements and progress gently. Be prepared for some soreness, but expect this to settle a few minutes after you stop exercising.

Arthritis can make the finger joints painful and swollen. At first they are likely to be too sore to exercise, but once the heat and swelling has subsided, gentle exercises help to restore mobility. Consult a professional for advice before you start.

Below is a list of Wrist and Hand exercises:

GRIP RESISTED FINGER FLEXION
Sit at a table with your arm resting on it, elbow bent. Grip, squeeze and manipulate a soft ball, lump of play dough, handful of cotton wool or the like, making your fingers do the work.

WRIST LIFT RADIAL DEVIATION
Starting in the same position as for the Grip exercise, left, put your hand on its side with the thumb pointing upward. Moving from the wrist only, lift your hand off the table, Relax and repeat.

FIVE-FINGER EXERCISE WRIST EXTENSION, FINGER EXTENSION & COORDINATING FINGER MOVEMENTS
Starting in the same position as above, place your palm flat on the table. Moving from the wrist, lift your fingers off the table, Relax and repeat. Then, keeping your palm on the table, lift and lower one finger at a time. Relax and repeat. Drum your fingers on the table, lifting each finger in turn. Repeat.

FINGER DEXTERITY COORDINATING FINGER MOVEMENTS
Starting in the same position as above, touch the tip of your little finger with your thumb. Move your thumb to the tip of your fourth finger, then your middle finger and finally your index finger. Work back the other way and repeat.

THUMB
Touch your thumb to each finger in turn then stretch out into the "hitch hiking" position. Aim to place the thumb as low down the finger as possible.

WRIST DEVIATIONS
With arm resting on table and hand hanging off the table, slowly turn hand to side. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position. Turn hand to other side. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.

WRIST EXTENSOR STRETCH
With arm resting on table and hand hanging off the table and elbow straight, slowly grab the hand and slowly bend the wrist down until a stretch is felt. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.

WRIST CIRCLES
Sit in neutral position with your arms resting on your armrests. Slide your forearms forward slightly and make loose fists with both hands. Inhale. Exhale and slowly rotate both wrists outwards, letting your forearms follow the movement. Rotate outwards ten times, continuing to breathe. Keeping your hands in loose fists, rotate inwards ten times, continuing to breathe. You should feel a slight stretch in your wrists during the rotations. Increase the range of the circles slightly if you don't feel a stretch.

WRIST STRETCH BACKWARDS
Sit with elbows on a table and palms together. Lower your wrists to the table until you feel a stretch and hold this for 5 seconds. Note you must keep your palms together.

WRIST STRETCH WITH ELBOWS STRAIGHT
Place arms on a table. Move your body over your hands until you feel a comfortable stretch in your forearms. Hold for 5 seconds.

MORE
Listen to your body, keep the back of the neck and spine lengthened and the rib cage lifted. Remember to breathe as you work with the different exercises.

It is far better to perform the exercises gently 4 times a day than to be very forceful once a day.
If your progress is slow you may benefit from expert advice and treatment from a physiotherapist or hand therapist.

Nails and Your Health

During a health check up, your doctor may examine your nails, which will often reflect not only the state of your health, but also what you're been eating -- and what you're lacking. Thin, peeling nails, or nails with white spots or ridges, mean your body is running short of zinc. You should incorporate more legumes, beans, mushrooms, brewer's yeast, and whole grains into your meals.

Are your nails spoon -shaped or fluted ? This may signal a lack of iron and/or vitamin A. Load up on your greens, sprouts, carrots, melon and pumpkin. Eat small portions of iron -rich liver and other red meat. Brittle nails may be a sign that you need more biotin, which is found in yeast mushrooms, grapefruit, watermelon. bananas, and strawberries. It could also mean you need more iron --easily obtained from red meat, greens and carrots --or that you lack zinc.
Fragile nails and nails that show horizontal or vertical ridges could mean a deficiency in vitamin B. Carrots, spinach, brown rice, melon, and walnuts are good, natural sources.

Poor nail growth could mean you're not getting enough zinc. Hangnails can be painful and look red and inflamed. You may want to try adding foods that are high in folic acid like barley, bran. legumes, lentils., and mushrooms. vitamin C could also help: orange, citrus, guava, amla, and all green vegetables are good sources. Avoid taking supplements to improve nail health as too much of any single vitamin could also lead to brittle and fragile nails. Get your vitamin from food. When you nourish your whole body, nails will automatically begin to look healthier.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Cause:
The usual culprit is nail polish. besides the vicinity of the nails, the reddish itchy spots may appear on delicate skin areas such as the eyelids of the neck or face, touched by the nails.

What to do:

take an antihistamine tablet and dab on calamine lotion.

BRITTLE BREAKAWAYS

Cause:
The main villain is lack of moisture. Each time you put your hands in water the keratin swells and shrinks when dry. this weakens the bonds that hold up the nail matrix. Too long nails and faulty filing can also have a similar effect.

What to do:

Soak for ten minutes at night in baby oil or olive oil.
Keep nails short.
Use a file with a sponge centre.
A coat of white iodine strengthen snails.
Use oil based, not acetone removers.
If a nail starts to break cut it.
If you need to show off your nails, patch up the crack. tear off a small corner of thin paper from an unused tea bag -- as wide as the nail break and about 1/2" long. Apply quick drying glue to the nail tear and let it dry. Next saturate the centre of notch with glue and place on the nail. Moisten the rest of the patch with glue and fold it around the torn part and under the nail. Smoothes the paper edges down with a little glue and the sides of a tooth pick and buff lightly. polish.
If any glue geys on your skin remove with a cotton bud dipped in remover.

CHEWED -TO-THE -QUICK

Cause:
Stress, habit, nervousness

What to do:

When you get the urge to bite do something else your hands. Sit on them, wiggle them in the air, create stuff.
A regular manicure is a good incentive.
Keep cuticles tidy.
Consider nail wraps while you wait for them to grow.
Get " No Bite " or " Stop That Bite " from your chemist.

CRACKED UP, DENTED, SPOTTY
Cause:
Injury to the nail matrix, specially under and lunula.

What to do:

It takes two to six months to grow out. In the meantime keep clipping.

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Cause:
Trapped moisture.

What to do:

Use ant fungal ointment. wait till the infection has cleared before using polish. Throw away products used on infected nails.

INGROWN TOE NAILS

Cause:
A nail cut too short, curved at the corners, too-tight shoes resulting in the nail cutting into the flesh causing pain, swelling and inflammation.

What to do:

Dip a cotton bud in antibiotic ointment and push under the nail edge. If infection and pus sets in, consult a doctor.

SPLIT, SORE CUTICLES
Cause:
Picking, biting, dryness, or extra zealous clipping which leads to tougher, more unmanageable.

What to do:

Massage regularly with a nourishing cream to keep moisturized.
Soak hands in warm sudsy water for a few minutes before easing cuticles back to soften them.
Push back gently with an orange stick.
clean away the skin clinging to the nail using the flat side of a nail file.

PEELING WEAKLINGS

Cause:
Illness, overuse of harsh detergents, nail glue and acetone remover, faulty filing, too much exposure to water

What to do:

Wear rubber gloves for household chores.
Use oil based polish removers.
Try a soft grain nail file and leave the sides alone.
Don't buff.
Keep hands out of very hot water.
Massage hand cream or hot almond oil into cuticles and nail after washing hands or at bedtime.

YELLOW MENACE

Cause:
Cigareyye stains, cheap or too drak nail polish, acetone remover.

What to do:

With a swab dipped in diluted hydrogen peroxide.
Insert into half a lemon and twist back and forth.
Keep polish -free for a while.

Ulnar Neuropathy

Ulnar neuropathy is an inflammation of the ulnar nerve, a major nerve that runs down into your hand. It supplies movement and sensation to your arm and hand. Ulnar neuropathy causes numbness, tingling, or pain into the arm and hand on the side of the little finger. Bicyclists call this condition "handlebar palsy".

Bicyclists are especially prone to this condition because of the repeated shocks and bouncing that can occur while holding the handlebars when riding. Other activities that involve stress on the hands and wrists may also irritate the ulnar nerve and cause ulnar neuropathy.

Cause and Occurrence
The ulnar nerve may get inflamed in several areas as it travels from your neck to your hand. The ulnar nerve is commonly inflamed during bicycling from repeated shocks or bouncing while your hand is holding onto the handlebar. The nerve may be stretched when held in the lower position of a drop handlebar. Other activities that involve repetitive movements of the wrist may cause ulnar neuropathy

Symptoms
Basically, symptoms of handlebar palsy include ;

Tingling
Numbness, or
Pain on the outside or middle of the forearm; this sensation of discomfort may run all the way to the little finger.

It’s important to note, too, that during early stages of the injury symptoms might be limited to tingling (the familiar “pins-and-needles” sensation) while riding with drop handlebars; this distress should disappear if one removes the hands from the lower position on the bars. If ignored, however, the tingling can rapidly progress to numbness and intense pain.

In fact, the pain can be sufficiently intense to prevent cycling altogether, except for pedalling a stationary bicycle without placing the hands on the handlebars

Treatment
Treatment for this condition may involve anti-inflammatory medications, wrist splints, or therapeutic exercises. Wrist splints may help to reduce the discomfort. When you are bicycling, it might help to wear padded gloves. Try adjusting the position of your hands on the handlebar, such as by changing your grip from the top to the sides of the handlebar. In case of need the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or B vitamins.

Rehabilitation Exercises
You may do all of these exercises right away.

Neck Range of Motion Exercises
Neck Rotation: Sit in a chair, keeping your neck, shoulders, and trunk straight. First, turn your head slowly to the right. Move it gently to the point of pain. Move it back to the forward position. Relax. Then move it to the left. Repeat 10 times.
Neck Side Bend: Tilt your head so that your right ear moves toward your right shoulder. Move it to the point of pain. Then tilt your head so your left ear moves toward your left shoulder. Make sure you do not rotate your head while tilting or raise your shoulder toward your head. Repeat this exercise 10 times in each direction.
Neck Flexion: Bend your head forward, reaching your chin toward your chest. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Neck Extension: Bring your head back so that your chin is pointing toward the ceiling. Repeat 10 times.
Scapular Range of Motion: Stand and shrug your shoulders up and hold for 5 seconds. Then squeeze your shoulder blades back and together and hold 5 seconds. Next, pull your shoulder blades downward as if putting them in your back pocket. Relax. Repeat this sequence 10 times.
Elbow Range of Motion: Gently bring your palm up toward your shoulder and bend your elbow as far as you can. Then straighten your elbow as far as you can 10 times. Do 3 sets of 10.
Wrist Range of Motion: Bend your wrist forward and backward as far as you can. Do 3 sets of 10.
Straight Finger Flexion: Make a right angle with your knuckles and keep your fingers straight. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Finger Squeeze: Practice squeezing items between each of the fingers on your injured hand. You can use paper, pens, and sponges. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times for each finger.
Grip Strengthening: Squeeze a rubber ball and hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.

Prevention

Check out the following tips to avoid this painful problem:

Make sure your bike fits. When purchasing a bike, see that you are properly measured. Serious biking enthusiasts should consider consulting a professional who can advise on appropriate fitting techniques.
Padding is key. Padded gloves and handlebars cut back on stress and possible injuries.
Sit Right. Sitting in a more upright position puts less weight and pressure on hands and wrists.
Rest Up. Rest periods while biking long distances and between bike trips are recommended. Changing hand position on the handlebars frequently when biking can also help reduce the risk of injury.
See a doctor with any injuries. PM&R physicians can recommend the right balance of exercise, padding, and bracing to help avoid chronic injuries.

Enhancing Your Nails

Nail enhancement is a broad term that encompasses several methods of augmenting your natural nail. Actually, in some instances, enhancements have less to do with enhancement and more to do with making eye-catching additions, hence the commonly used term "fake nails". Women Fitness offers you information about the following nail enhancements:

Note: If you get nail enhancements, you'll be returning to the salon every 2 to 6 weeks- depending on your nail's growth and how you take care of them- for a "touch-up". This is for getting your nails' newly grown area enhanced so that it matches the rest of the nail.

Wraps
Nail wraps use sheets of fiberglass, linen, or silk to add a strong, protective layer to the nail, which in turn helps nails grow longer without breaking. To create nail wraps, your nail technician takes small pieces of fabric mesh and sticks them to your nails with an adhesive typically one of those nail glues that reminds everyone of super glue. After buffing the enhancement a bit to create a smooth surface, your nail technician applies a sealant to help keep out moisture and discourage the wrap from lifting.

Acrylic nails
To create acrylic nails, a nail technician mixes together two ingredients called powdered polymer and liquid monomer. When combined, the powder and liquid react to form a plastic-like paste. This paste is smoothed onto the nail, where it hardens, at room temperature. Acrylic nails are a good choice for anyone who wants long nails that are virtually indestructible.

If you are sensitive, you should avoid acrylic or porcelain nails. The monomer used in acrylic and porcelain nails is an irritant that can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

Porcelain nails
Porcelain nails are similar to acrylic nails, except that they use a finely ground, glasslike material in the powder. They are applied just like acrylic nails and are good for creating a hearty, long nail. The finish is a bit more natural-looking than acrylic nails, making them a better choice for those of you who like to wear pale, sheer nail colors.

Gel nails
Gel nails, or gel systems as they are also called, are a newer type of nail enhancement that are created by applying layers of resin to the nail; these layers combine and harden to form a solid nail. Depending on the formula a particular nail technician uses, nails are hardened with an ultraviolet light or under ordinary room lighting. Gel nails are among the most natural-looking of the nail enhancements – something to keep in mind if you want nails that look like your own, only longer and stronger.

Using nail tips
Nail tips are one of the oldest forms of nail enhancements. Preformed plastic nail shapes are applied to the natural nail plate with nail glue. Sometimes they cover the nail from the cuticle to the end, but more frequently they are applied midway down the nail plate. To get a smoother finish, some nail technicians may apply acrylics, gel, or wraps over either the natural "untipped" nail or both the natural nail and the newly affixed nail tip. The entire shape is then sanded and filed into the length and shape you want.

You can buy nail enhancement kits to do yourself. However, because of the chemicals involved in their application, the best option is to visit a nail technician.

Nail art
Perhaps you're someone who loves to express herself through her appearance. For you, a shockingly bright, colored nail isn't enough. You want to set yourself apart from the manicured crowd. From the sound of it, you are a nail art kind of girl. Nail art is not so much a way to augment nails' length as it is a way to enhance their appearance.

There are several ways you can dress your nails up. Transfers much like the transfers you got from cereal boxes, and stuck on windows or your own body as a child- are an easy way to add decoration to your nails. Most nail salons have a selection of seasonal designs, such as snowflakes, as well as standard designs, such as roses. These are embedded in slightly sticky nail varnish. When nail varnish is dry, a layer of top coat keeps transfers secure.

Decorative nails
Nail jewelry can be expensive 14-karat gold, but it is usually made of cheaper silver or gold-colored metals. Most nail jewelry comes in simple designs, such as initials, stars, and hearts; it is applied just like nail transfers. For those of you with very long nails, there is another type of nail jewelry: earrings for nails. If you're interested, your nail technician will actually pierce one of your nails and install a stud or a small hoop. Nail detailing, sometimes simply called nail art, uses extra-fine paintbrushes and several colors of nail varnish, which your nail technician uses to paint scenes onto the nail. The finished product depends greatly on your nail technician's skill as a fine artist.

Many dermatologists feel it is important to take several 2-week to 1-month "rests" a year from nail enhancements. As, nail enhancements trap the natural nail underneath, causing the nail plate to atrophy. Rests allow the weakened natural nail to grow stronger.

Remember:

• Having the right tools makes home nail care easy.
• It's not difficult to give yourself a manicure or a pedicure.
• Many nail-product ingredients are strong allergens. Always read the labels!
• When visiting a salon, pay attention to its hygiene practices.
• If you can't grow your own nails, you could try nail enhancements.
• For the adventurous, nail art and jewelry are an option.

Caring For Hands and Nails Naturally

Hands and nails get an extreme work out everyday. Most normal daily activities involve the use of your hands. Washing dishes, cleaning the house, and other things require the use of strong chemicals that are extremely harsh on the skin and nails. Products you find in the store to help treat hand and nail problems often contain chemicals too. The solution is to opt for a treatment plan that does not require you to use any form of chemical substance. There are a number of perfectly natural remedies that you can use to make your nails look and feel as good as new. By using a few easy tips you will be back on track in the form of good looking nails.

The best way to heal your nails is to make the remedies at home. This will ensure that the stuff you use is perfectly natural and wont cause any adverse effects. There is only one way you can be sure you know the beauty products you are using are safe – you make them yourself. Many fruits, vegetables, oils, and other common household supplies contain natural ingredients that can care for and pamper your hands and nails. Plus, the cost of creating your own products is a fraction of what you pay for overpriced merchandise in the store.

Soaps often times can be drying, causing the skin to become easily irritated. Making your own gently hand scrub is an effective way to add moisture back into your skin. You probably already have the necessary ingredients at home right now. All you need is 2 tablespoons of plain oatmeal, 1 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and a ¼ cup of water. Let the oatmeal soak in the water for about ten minutes. When the oatmeal is soft, add the lemon juice and the oil and blend well. Rub the mixture into your hands. Let it stay on your skin for about 2 minutes and then rinse with clean water. Add a good moisturizer following the scrub to add extra nourishment to your skin.

For an overnight deep conditioning treatment, mix together a ½ cup of coconut oil, ½ cup of granulated sugar and the juice of one lemon. Rub mixture all over hands. Brush off excess sugar with a soft cloth and put on a pair of cotton gloves. Go to sleep with the gloves on. They will help the oil absorb into the skin. When you wake up in the morning, your hands will be silky smooth.

Nails often get dull and discolored from chemicals and other environmental pollutants. Simply drop a denture cleaning tablet into a cup of water and soak your nails for ten minutes. The tablet will whiten and brighten your nails, as well as your dentures. Dry, brittle nails are also easy to treat with this simple remedy. Combine a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of olive oil in bowl and mix well. Massage the mixture into your nails and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off oil with warm water and a mild soap if necessary. The solution will both recondition and brighten your nails.

The best thing about homemade stuff is the fact that it is same. You are not bothered about side effects it may cause because of some of the chemicals that might be used in the cream or solution. Just a bit of research and some hard work will go a very long way for you.

About Author Debrah Dragon :
Debrah Dragon writes for Beauty Items, a website about everything beauty-related - beauty tips www.beautyitems.com/tips/, beauty salons www.beautyitems.com/salons/, beauty products www.beautyitems.com/products/, etc. Debrah is also a featured at http://www.ArticleKing.com