Natural Nails
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Delicate and dainty or colourful and confident, artfully adorned nails can have a surprising impact on mood, self-perception, and overall sense of style.
However, after trying the different treatments and being lured into the many plush and luxurious salons time after time, your nails can start to become brittle and fragile after all the intervention.
Each chemical treatment can strip your nails of their natural nourishment. Along with the increase of chipping and cracking, you can face other health risks as a result of your time at the salon. These include bacterial infection, dermatitis, warts and even premature ageing from the quick-drying UV light.
How are your nails faring? Have you noticed that they have started peeling; that white spots have begun popping up on your nail beds; that horizontal grooves have started developing; or that the skin around your nail beds has become red and swollen? It might be time to give your nails a bit of TLC and look at alternative treatments and ways to get back to basics for natural nourishment.
Nail care to revolutionise your nail health from drab, dry and damaged:
1. Give your nails a little lovin’
Just like your skin and hair, your nails can benefit from some hydration. Try rubbing some natural moisturiser or hydrating oil into your nail beds and cuticles after every hand wash or sanitation to start seeing the benefits. Tree Of Life Pure Organic Argan Oil Nail Treatment is a great option for nourishing nails, as well as the Wellness Uplifting Hand & Body Lotion (which comes in a nifty travel size for on-the-go TLC).
2. Boost your beauty from the inside out
Research suggests that biotin, one of the B complex vitamins, can help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails, whilst also boosting your skin, hair, eye, liver and nervous system health. Yuicy’s Biotin Gummies are formulated with biotin, as well as other important beauty vitamins such as vitamins B12, zinc, folic acid, and beta-carotene, and will help boost your beauty from the inside.
3. Limit chemicals on your nails
Many traditional nail products contain toxic chemicals that can strip your nails of their health and result in brittleness, splitting, and cracking. Avoid using nail products containing chemicals such as toluene, dimethyl and camphor by reading the labels before purchasing. Also limit your use of nail polish remover, or opt for an acetone-free formula, and wear gloves when cleaning your home.
4. Don’t blame the craftsman, blame the tools
Take a break from cleaning underneath your nails with metal tools and using those old-as-time emery boards to avoid developing bacterial or fungal infections and creating micro-tears in your nails. Opt instead for water, natural soap, and a glass or crystal nail file when your nails call for attention. If you’ve already developed a fungal infection, try the Proguard Anti-Fungal Nail Solution to treat it.
5. Leave your cuticles to their own devices
Often cut or removed during salon manicures, cuticles are actually a very important agent to safeguard your nail health, as they act as barriers for bacteria. Instead of removing them, give them a little bit of love with a natural moisturiser, and simply push them back for that beautifully clean and clear look. The Simply Bee Cuticle Cream is a brilliant all-natural solution to moisten your cuticles but also regenerate them and clear any threats, thanks to its antibacterial properties.
Simply Bee
Simply Bee - Cooling Foot Spritz Fynbos, Buchu & Cape Chamomile 100ml R95.96 Regular Price R119.95
6. Indulge in acrylic or gel treatments sparingly
If you are keen on getting a long-lasting and convenient acrylic or gel treatment done on your nails, there are some ways to minimise the damage. First, apply a SPF of 30 to 50 sunscreen to your hands before placing them under the UV light (the Flatdog Bodyguard Marine Safe Sunscreen SPF 50 is a great option for this). Removing this kind of manicure can also be very damaging, so instead of peeling the layer off yourself, get the nail polish professionally removed and schedule a break from the treatment so that your nails can rest and repair before the next.
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