| The most comment problems are yellowing nails. | | | | You may want to try the special varnishes called |
| Chemicals used in film processing, topically applied | | | | called 'nail hardener', made specifically for problem nails. |
| medications, nicotine, and darker nail color dyes can | | | | They are usually sold with special base and top coats |
| turn nails yellow. Always use gloves when working | | | | as well, and they do seem to help. |
| with chemicals, wash hands well after applying | | | | Nail biting is a hard habit to break since often you are |
| medications, and use a base coat before applying nail | | | | not even aware you are doing it. It really helps to keep |
| polish. You can remove some of the yellow staining by | | | | your nails and cuticles smooth from any tempting |
| soaking your nails for a few minutes in lemon juice. | | | | snags or rough edges. I have a friend with a nail biting |
| Some have breaking, peeling, splitting nails. These | | | | teenage daughter who treated her to weekly |
| problems can be caused by heredity and also by | | | | manicures until her nails had grown out. It worked! Not |
| damage to the cuticle or matrix. Be especially careful | | | | only did the manicures keep the area smooth, but a |
| not to damage your matrix with the nail clippers when | | | | further incentive was the immediate gratification of |
| snipping problem spots. Also, overfilling your nails at the | | | | seeing her hands look better. |
| corners can cause weakness, so you will need to file | | | | Applying false nails can also give your nails protection |
| your nails slightly more squarish to give the sides | | | | from your teeth, and an immediate improvement in |
| added strength. | | | | their looks, but there is one caution. As the false nails |
| Constant exposure to water, as well as dryness from | | | | begin to fall off, they can take a layer of natural nail off |
| climate, detergents, or chemicals can cause nails to be | | | | with them, leaving your nail weaker than ever. If you |
| brittle. It pays to use gloves when doing harsh chores | | | | decide to wear false nails, be sure you buy the |
| and to use a good hand cream to moisture your | | | | appropriate nail remover to dissolve the glue - and not |
| hands and nails. If they are already abused, try an | | | | your nail, when you want to remove them. |
| extra rich cuticle cream at night or rub a coat of baby | | | | It is a great idea if you can set aside a weekly time to |
| oil or petroleum jelly over your hands and cuticles, slip | | | | manicure your nails, maybe while you watch your |
| on cotton cosmetic gloves (found in chemists), and | | | | favourite TV programme. With your cuticles kept in |
| sleep with them on. The warmth of your body | | | | good condition, a manicure will take only half an hour. I |
| combined with the oils will help soften and lubricate | | | | know I always feel good about myself when my nails |
| your skin, cuticles and nails. | | | | and hands look their best. |