Health Tip: Keep Nails Trim and Clean

(HealthDay News) -- Nails collect dirt and may spread some infections, so keeping them neat and clean is important.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentions these suggestions for proper nail hygiene:

Trim nails frequently.Use soap and water and a nail brush to scrub under the nails when you wash your hands.Before each use, clean any tools you use to groom your nails; sterilize nail tools when at a public nail salon.Don't bite or chew your nails.Use a clean and sanitized nail clipper to cut a hangnail; never bite or rip it off.

-- Diana Kohnle
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

Emerald Nails

Queen Victoria Street nail polish, £11, Nails Inc. http://www.nailsinc.com/ available nationwide

Nails Inc have introduced a new trend shade, Queen Victoria Street. The emerald green nails polish "translates the trend for everyday wear as it gives nails a subtle glow."

Green might not be your go-to colour, but we are completely sold on this nail polish! Not can you get away with one coat, the colour is strikingly beautiful. What's not to love? Statement nails ready for summer.

By Lisa JC

View the original article here

Bling Nails

Bling it on Neon, £20, Nails Inc. www.nailsinc.com  available nationwide

Neon shades have been electric this spring/summer, and what is more important than statement nails to match your sun kissed tan?

The Nails Inc. Bling it on Neon kit claims to "instantly lift a bronze tan or perk up a pale skin tone." It comes complete with a top and base coat, as well as two glitter pots in stunning shades of pink and blue.

Brush the base coat on your nails, and while wet, sprinkle the glitter of your choice on the supplied application tray, then gently press the polish in the glitter. The set also comes with a brush to dust off any excess glitter. If you want, you can stop there; the top coat is optional. The top coat with secure the glitter, but it will slightly dull the sparkle effect, but not by much.

And there is so need to be all fingers and thumbs - the whole process is quick-drying, giving you more time to continue pampering yourself.

By Lisa JC

View the original article here

Nails Need Love, Too

SATURDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- If you want healthy and attractive nails, you have to take good care of them.

"Nails need to be moisturized, especially after removing nail polish, so be sure to apply a cream regularly," Dr. Phoebe Rich, a clinical adjunct professor of dermatology at Oregon Health Science University, said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release.

"Always protect your cuticles. Never cut or forcefully push back your cuticles, as doing so could lead to an infection. If you must push them back, only do so gently after a shower or bath," she explained.

If you go to a nail salon, check for cleanliness. Are the stations clean? Does the nail technician wash her hands between clients? Are there dirty tools lying around?

Ask how the salon cleans its tools and find out if your nail technician has the necessary experience and/or license, if required, she added.

Rich also said there is no proof that immersing nails in gelatin makes them stronger. She added that polishes that contain strengthening ingredients increase nail stiffness, which may make nails break more often.

Artificial nails are fine for people with healthy nails, as long as they are not worn continuously, Rich said. Do not wear artificial nails to cover up nail problems, as they may make these problems worse. Artificial nails are not recommended for people who have brittle nails or are prone to fungal infections.

-- Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology, news release, April 2013

View the original article here