You’ve just gotten a manicure treatment; your hands and nails look great. But to keep them looking beautiful, there are some things you must do in between your visits. So here are my suggestions to make sure you’re doing everything you can at home to keep your hands and nails looking just as fresh and polished as the day you got your manicure:
Listen to your Haven Care Professional. Carefully follow the recommendations for at-home care. If you have weak, brittle nails and a nail strengthener is recommended for at home use, follow the instructions. If your nails have ridges use the recommended ridge filler.
Treat your nails with care; Wear gloves when gardening or exposing your hands to water for extended periods of time. Do not use your nails as tools. Use a soda can opener for pop-tops, for example.
Use topcoat to help nail polish last; Chipping nail polish seems to be chronic problems for my clients. Solve the dilemma by applying a layer of topcoat 24 hours after your service and to the free edge every couple of days. That should double the duration of your manicure and keep your nails looking shiny and new.
Mend a chipped nail: So you’ve applied topcoat, but you still managed to chip a nail. What to do? Using your fingertip, dab a small amount of polish remover on the affected area and lightly smooth it over. Re-coat with polish and topcoat.
Keep your hands well hydrated. It’s important to keep your nails looking great; your hands are important, too. Use a cream or lotion daily to keep them hydrated and smooth. If you’re often outdoors, use a lotion with an SPF of at least 15.
Remember to nourish the cuticles; Use cuticle oil or treatment religiously. It keeps cuticles supple and moisturize and helps keep pesky hangnails and dry skin at bay. Gently push back cuticles with an orange wood stick, washcloth, or the ball of your finger, not with the free edge of your nail.
File your nails with care. What do you do if you snag or break a nail? Carefully file away. Always use a fine-grit file, which can range from 240-400 grit, and gently file in one direction. Never file nails in a back-and-forth motion, as this can cause your nails to fray and split. I can even provide you with a home repair kit if one is needed.
Leave it to Haven. A slightly chipped or snagged nail can easily be mended by filing the nail. But if you have a bigger problem such as a split nail, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Call me and schedule an appointment to get it fixed.
Allergic reactions to nail products, though not very common, can occur. It’s important to be able to detect if you have one. Allergic reactions are characterized by redness, itching, swelling around the nails, or irritation around the eyes and mouth. Call me if you develop any of these symptoms, and be sure to get checked out by a medical professional.