Summer means sandals. And sandals mean exposed toes. Are you ready to put your best foot forward? Nail technician Ronel Deyzel from Spaces Salon at Oasis Centre, Shaikh Zayed Road, provides some cool tips on summer nail care.
1. During summer, hands and feet often turn a shade darker because most women do not apply sunscreen to them. If you have tanned hands, lighten them by soaking them in a small tub of warm water with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Keep your hands immersed in the solution for ten minutes, remove and pat dry. You will soon see that tan receeding.
2. To avoid nails becoming discoloured by strong nail varnish pigments, always apply a base and top coat. This way, the polish will also last more than a week.
3. Consult a qualified nail technician before investing in nail files. The rule of the thumb is, the higher the grids, the more finely the nails get buffed. Lower grid nail filers are used to buff artificial nails.
4. Always sterilise your nail tools before and after use. Use disinfectants liberally and invest in a good hand sanitiser.
5. Treat yourself to periodic hand spa treatments. These work like facials for the hands. The process should include application of an exfoliating scrub, mask and plenty of moisturiser.
6. Does your job require extended use of a computer keyboard? If so, you should use
light-coloured nail polish. This
way, if the nail colour chips it
won’t look bad. Another tip? Moisturise your nails every three hours so they don’t crack due to constant pressure on the keyboard.
8. If you use artificial (acrylic) nails, never peel them off on your own. Not only will your natural nails turn dry and brittle, they will also become a breeding ground for infections, fungus and bacteria. Similarly, if you wear gel or acrylic nails, do not remove them with a polish remover containing acetone as it will peel
the nail off. There are specialised polish removers for these kind of artificial nails.
9. To instantly soften and strengthen nails, pour four tablespoons of sweet almond oil into a bowl, place it in a bigger bowl of hot water and when the oil is warm, soak your nails in it for ten minutes. When you’re done, dab off the oil with a tissue.
10. When deciding whether you want your nails to be rounded or square-shaped, don’t be swayed by the trends; let a nail technician suggest what is best for you. Normally, rounded tips are not recommended for long nails as they break easily.
11. Buy a nail polish remover that contains lanolin and not just acetone, so you don’t dry the skin around your nails.
12. If you find ridges forming on your nails, it’s time to sit up and take notice. You may be suffering from an acute deficiency of calcium and vitamin D. Include carrot juice, blueberries and strawberries in your diet as they prevent the cuticles from drying. Massaging the nails with olive or almond oil also helps.
13. Buy Omega 3, 6 and 9 capsules, squeeze the oils out of them and mix. Apply the oil to your hands and nails and keep it on for about 30 minutes. This fatty acid-packed formula is an instant recovery plan for nails!
14. Ideally, cuticles should not be completely cut. If you must, leave a bit of them back so they do not grow back thicker. Never use cuticle cutters or a pair of scissors to cut them – you may damage them. Go to a salon instead. The nail therapist will use cuticle oil to soften them before cutting them.
18. If you can’t find the time to visit a salon for a manicure or pedicure, create the experience at home. Take a handful each of coarse salt and sugar granules, a teaspoon of honey, and vitamin E oil. Blend them all well and rub this mixture onto your hands till the sugar granules melt into the skin. This is a great exfoliant for people who have jobs that require lots of hands-on work. It is also particularly good for people with arthritis as the salt reduces swelling, the honey nourishes the skin and vitamin E conditions skin.
15. If you have hang nails, ensure your diet includes foods rich in folic acid, like spinach, asparagus and grapefruit.
19. Always wear latex gloves while unloading the washing machine, dishwasher or cleaning utensils in
the sink. Detergent is harsh on the skin, so try not to let it make contact with your bare hands. If you can’t avoid it, soak your hands in a big bowl of full-fat milk for 15 minutes after you’re done with the chores to repair any damage done.
21. Buff and shine your nails at least three times a week to keep them healthy and well-maintained. This way, you will also keep food-related discolouration at bay.
22. Buff your toenails a bit more firmly to flatten the ridges. Avoid darker shades of nail polish for your pedicure as these lead to yellow stains.
23. Pour a few drops of olive oil onto your nails and massage it in. The oil locks in moisture and the massage provides an instant boost in blood circulation, meaning your cuticles become healthy and strong.
24. To keep your feet feeling relaxed and healthy, use a long sweeping massage motion staring from your toes to the ankle area and up to the knee along the meridian lines. This detoxifies, aids blood circulation and relaxes the feet instantaneously.
25. After you wash your hands (or feet), dry them under an air dryer. The boost in blood circulation helps them stay healthy and nourished.
