9 Most Common Nail Care Mistakes

A good nail care routine is an important part of any social or professional situation. Start by picking the right products for your hands, and then consider your lifestyle. What are the conditions at your home, office and other regular places? The best way to ensure a long lasting manicure is to invest in some high quality products from a trusted brand.

It really is that easy. A weekly manicure and a daily nail moisturizer will go a long way to preserve your manicure and give you the chance to change colors frequently. At the end of the day, all that really matters is that your nails are healthy, strong and conditioned to resist breakage. Whether you decide to go with the traditional route of nail polish or opt for a more modern silicone gel manicure, your nails will thank you for selecting a product formulated for its strength and beauty.

The following are the common nail care mistakes:

1. Wearing Nail Polish Too Long

Nail polish and nail beds need to breathe and be able to oxidize. If you paint your nails and don’t change them for weeks on end, you are suffocating the nail bed to a point of increased risk of cracks and infections.

Sometimes we all hit a nail polish rut and can’t seem to find anything new or interesting to wear on our nails. This can be discouraging for sure, but hopefully the ideas above will give you some inspiration and the push you need to try something new. You might even find a new favorite!

2. Removing Nail Polish Incorrectly

There are two ways to remove nail polish. The wrong way and the right way. The truth is, both ways work, and can be used interchangeably depending on your reason for removing it. But, if you want to remove it in the most efficient and effective manner possible, use the following advice.

Nail polish is used to decorate and enhance the appearance of nails. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns that can make a person look better or become more attractive by enhancing the beauty of one’s hands. But a lot of professional experts say that one must be careful while applying nail polish because it is toxic.

3. Excessive Nail Polish Use

Nail polish is a beauty staple of many women (and men), but it has dangers that you may not be aware of if you’re not fully informed. When applying polish, it’s inevitable that some will get on your skin or cuticles. Though it might not seem like a lot, the fact is the chemicals in nail polish can add up. Some of the chemicals found in polish are formaldehyde and toxic dibutyl phthalate (DBP), both of which have been linked to problems like increased risk of asthma and allergic reactions.

4. You skip the base coat

Base coat is an important step in the nail care regimen, yet you skip it half the time. Sure, you’re busy and sometimes forgetful, but a base coat is worth the extra two minutes in the morning.

Base coats, also known as nail strengtheners and nail hardeners, are considered a prerequisite for any manicure as they protect your nails from staining and provide them with strength. They essentially work to prep your nails for the application of polish and make the manicure last longer. 

5. Filing of nails in one direction

Nail filers are commonly used to file fingernails and toenails, but in general can be used on any type of nail. They are typically made from stainless steel, plastic and usually have an overall shape of a horseshoe. 

Filing your nails in one direction will make your manicure look more professional and finished. By filing your nails in one direction, you’ll prevent any nail edges from jutting outwards. If we compare the two different files we do not think that there are differences, but in fact it is very important! 

Some files are bigger and others are smaller, but they all have their own characteristics. The width of the nail should determine which file you choose, but it’s more than that! It is also very important to choose the right direction to file your nails.

6. Plucking out a hangnail

Plucking a hangnail is one of the most menial tasks anyone can undertake. It’s also dangerous, difficult to do well, and quite painful if you fail. Below I’ll share with you a technique that will help to weaken the hangnail before you pluck it. This will help prevent further damage to your finger as well as pain. Unfortunately, there is no convenient way to avoid doing it. 

7. Not moisturizing

Moisturizing nails are important if you want healthier nails. In the event that you neglect to do this, your nails can turn dry and begin to peel. If you have not moisturized your nails consistently, attempts to do so now could trigger more harm than good. Nails that are dry may become more breakable and more inclined to split, crumble or crack.

Moisturizing nails softens them, and also makes them look healthier. If you don’t moisturize your nails, they can crack and break, making it harder for you to do any activities that require use of your hands.

8. Washing your hands too often

The act of washing your hands is something we all do on a regular basis. From washing our hands before we eat, to removing dirt from under the nails after gardening, washing our hands regularly can be a chore. While it is true that washing our hands frequently will do more good than harm, there are some situations where you may be washing your hands too often.

The problem with hand washing is that we do it too often. Hand washing must be done in order to be effective, which means you have to wash your hands as soon as you exit the restroom. Do you know why? Because people who don’t wash their hands after peeing are dirty and are more likely to spread germs. In other words, hand washing must be done quickly after you’ve finished with your business.

9. Cleaning under your nails with a sharp object

Cleaning under your nails with a sharp object is not a good idea. We encourage you to brush your teeth and floss every day. But we also encourage you to protect yourself from harm when cleaning under your nails with a sharp object. There are many precautions for you to take when cleaning under your nails, such as instructions on how to clean underneath fingernails and instructions on how to clean underneath toenails.

Cleaning under your nails with a sharp object is a quick way to introduce bacteria into your body. When this happens then your body pulls amino acids from muscle tissue, which disrupts natural muscle processes.

Skin under nails is not the easiest spot to be cleaning. It can often be painful, it’s small and most people don’t clean it enough. This is why you need a nail scrubber, which will help you clean this area properly and safely. A good one can make a world of difference in removing stains and getting rid of in grown hair or dirt from your nails.