Beginner’s Guide to Nail Care

A Beginner’s Guide to Nail Care

From the Experts at Mason Anthony School of Cosmetology

We all want beautiful, healthy nails and of course, healthy nails require upkeep. But where do you even start? No one wants discolored or brittle nails, but it can be confusing as to what exactly to do about it when you aren’t in a nail salon. Fortunately we’ve got some of the best manicuring talent in Ohio attending our programs here at Mason Anthony. We asked our manicuring department to assemble a beginner’s guide to nail care so you can keep your beautiful nails healthy and gorgeous all the time!

Nail Care Basics

While we all love polish, it’s super important to keep a close eye on daily care. Your nails are subject to all sorts of daily wear and tear that can lead to breakage, peeling, discoloration, and dehydration. With the proper nail care routine, you can combat these degradations and help your nails flourish.

In order to keep your nails at their absolute best, we recommend some basic hygienic practice that everyone should do daily.

• Keep your nails dry and clean. In addition to regular hand washing, make sure you clean under your nails with a nail brush. Remove old polish (even clear coats) before applying a new coat. This step goes a long way to preventing bacterial growth that can degrade your nails.
• Keep your hands nicely hydrated. This is the same principle we apply to skincare; hydrate nails and cuticles with lotions or moisturizer to prevent cracking. Keep it simple with a fresh botanical nourishing cuticle oil massaged into the nails.
• Trim, File, and Shape those nails. Just like your hair can get split ends and needs a nice trim, your nails should be carefully trimmed and filed to maintain a smooth edge. This prevents splitting and ragged edges. A nice nail buffer is a great touch to maintain that healthy sheen. Obviously avoid biting your nails or pulling off hangnails, too!

Build a Weekly Nail Care Routine

When most of us think of nail care, we imagine our manicurist working their magic to shape and color our nails. However a weekly home nail care routine builds up healthy, strong nails with a lovely sheen that your manicurist will love as a blank canvas.

Set aside time each day for nail care, whether it’s part of your morning wakeup routine, a lunch break time killer, or a bedtime beauty regiment. In addition to the regular trimming, cleaning, and moisturizing, consider adding vitamins to your diet like biotin, which helps build up healthy cells in your nails.

A regular nail care routine prevents bacterial growth and limits the spread of germs. It can also prevent calluses and boosts blood circulation in the hands, while lowering stress and building your confidence. So don’t skimp on at-home nail care, ladies and gentlemen! Your manicurist is a wizard, but can’t do it all!

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