By: Ivana Dragica |
Natural ways to beautiful and groomed nails |
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Do you want groomed, smooth and strong nails?
Are you experiencing problems such as nail cracking, white spots and nail fungi?
Are you considering putting in nail extensions?
Nail extensions are not the solution to your problems. That procedure can even be dangerous if it is performed by an untrained individual.
With proper diet and care you can have beautiful and healthy nails.
Nails are not just ornaments on your fingers. They reflect your health and if your nails are in bad shape, that can be an indication of many health problems.
Find out how you can achieve the ideal look of your nails using natural methods.
Problems and solutions
It is a well-known fact that beauty comes from within. That is why a healthy diet is the foundation of healthy and beautiful nails.
The following table contains possible nail problem causes and offers potential solutions.
If you suspect that the state of your nails indicates some more serious health problems, consult your doctor, whether of mainstream or alternative medicine.
| Problem | Cause | Possible solution |
| Dry nails | Vitamin A deficiency | Increase intake of carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, pumpkin, melon, mango and peach. |
| Scrolling nails | Hydrochloride acid deficiency | Drink a glass of warm water with a juice made of one lemon half every day on an empty stomach. |
| Cuticles | Essential fatty acid deficiency |
You can obtain essential fatty acids from sunflower oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, corn germ oil and castor oil.
Smear clean vitamin E or aloe vera gel on your fingernails every day.
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| White spots | Zinc or hydrochloride acid deficiency or an indication of thyroid gland problems |
Eat wholesome wheat and pulses, soy, nutty fruits, seeds, pumpkin.
If you suspect thyroid gland problems, consult your physician.
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| White stripes | Protein deficiency | Increase consumption of protein-rich foods. |
| Pale, thin, cracked and furrowed nails | Iron deficiency | Increase green vegetable, wholesome wheat, beans, soy, pumpkin, avocado, peach and pear consumption. |
| Frail nails with vertical and horizontal white stripes | Vitamin A and B deficiency | Food items: integrated cereals, carrot, sweet potato, nutty fruits, green leafy vegetables, avocado, cheese. |
| Frail and bent nails | fungi |
Reduce carbohydrate consumption. Eat probiotic yoghurt and garlic in capsules.
Several times a day, smear nails with tea tree, wild oregano or neem oil. Or rub garlic and honey over your nails.
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| Absence of crescent on all nails | Protein deficiency or metabolism disorder | Increase consumption of protein-rich foods. If you suspect metabolism disorder problems, consult your physician. |
| Yellow nails | Excessive nail polishing, smoking or liver disease |
Occasionally make a nail bath. Use milk lemon juice or castor oil. Lemon whiteness the nails and castor oil is rich in vitamin E and makes cuticles softer and enhances the growth and strength of your nails.
If you suspect liver disease, consult your physician.
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How to accelerate nail growth
Solutions for nail growth acceleration and quality enhancement are in your diet and avoidance of exterior influences.
Extreme diets, cold and protein deficiency has negative influences on nail growth and appearance.
Ensure in your diet sufficient quantities of proteins and minerals that build nails: sulfur, iron, silica, zinc, essential fatty acids and vitamins D, A and E. And make sure to increase calcium intake.
Vitamin D is needed for nail strength and growth. Regular sunlight exposure is the best way of ensuring this vitamin in your body.
Vitamin C promotes collagen production, makes your skin more beautiful and firmer and promotes accelerated nail growth. You can find it in lemon, melon, pumpkin, peppers, cauliflower, orange, strawberries, kiwi etc.
If you suspect that your diet does not contain sufficient nutrients, add protein shake and quality multivitamins into your daily dietary routine.
Enhance circulation in hands and fingers! It is proven that working with hands and fingers, such as typing, playing musical instruments, sewing or gymnastics, enhances nail growth.
Nail polishing
We know that nail polishing has negative effects on health of our nails, but we can hardly give up on polishing.
Here are some advices for “healthier polishing”:
- make occasional pause from polishing
- do not use nail polish removers on acetone base since such products destroy and dry nails
- buy polishes that do not contain infamous toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Toluene is a solvent used in polishes for better application. High toluene doses can result in bad cognitive tests, eye and upper respiratory system irritations.
Long lasting inhalation of high quantities can lead to dementia and brain damages.
Formaldehyde is used for a polished appearance of nails and gives them firmness. It is one of the most common allergens that cause contact dermatitis.
DBP prolongs polish durability. Studies show that it has negative effects on the thyroid gland and it can prevent normal brain development.
Furthermore, it has a bad influence on liver and metabolism. Researches conducted in Korea indicate that children whose mothers were exposed to high phthalate doses had lower IQ.
Hand care
Strong and beautiful nails certainly look better on groomed hands.
Take regular care of your hands. Avoid excessive colds and heats; avoid detergents, acids and chemical products. Use protective gloves during cleaning.
If you expose your hands to harmful compounds, soak them in a container with olive oil and lemon since that will make your skin more resilient.
If you have dry or sensitive hands, soak them in olive oil before going to sleep and wear cotton gloves in order to leave the oil to work with your hands over night.
Useful tips for nail care:
- be patient, results do not come in a day
- do not bite your nails
- maintain nail hygiene regularly and manicure them
- cut your nails according to their natural shape
- use natural crème or oil every night on your nails
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