10 Right Ways to Trim Your Nails and Avoid Injuries

How often do you trim your nails? Did you know that changing how you cut your nails can help maintain your health? We’ve also looked into how to cut them, what to look out for when cutting them, and how to keep your nails healthy with details you might not be doing.

How should you cut your nails safely?

Some people cut their nails short, while others prefer to round them off, but what is the best way to cut your nails? It’s best to start by cutting the sides of your nails and then connecting the middle. Be careful not to cut them too short or too round. If you cut your nails so short that the white part is no longer visible or if you round off the sides too much, there is a risk of injury and bacterial infection.

Be careful not to get ingrown toenails

It’s best to get into the habit of cutting them straight across for toenails. Cutting your toenails in a round shape may be comfortable temporarily, but as the nail grows, it can curl into the skin and become an ingrown toenail. Don’t try to cut them off forcefully if you have sharp or irritating points. Instead, use a file or buffer to smooth them out.

When is the best time to cut them?

Trimming your nails when they are a bit soft after a shower is best. They are easier to cut when moist, and the cut fragments don’t fly around. Also, since you wash off the bacteria around your nails after a shower, the risk of bacterial infection decreases. Cutting them when they are dry can lead to injuries, so it’s a good idea to trim them regularly after a shower.

Keep your tools clean

Make sure to sterilize the tools you use when grooming your nails before use. Bacteria left on nail care tools can cause inflammation if they get into cuts or gaps in your nails. Especially if a family member has nail fungus, it’s a good idea to use an individual nail clipper for each person. It’s best not to use nail clippers provided in public baths.

Let’s moisturize our nails

Just like your skin, your nails need a balanced supply of moisture and oil. When applying hand cream, it’s also good to apply it to your nails. Regular application of hand cream to your nails can help maintain their health to some extent.

Avoid removing cuticles excessively

Many people remove cuticles when grooming their nails for a clean look. But for the health of your nails, it’s best to leave cuticles. The dead skin around nails acts as a support to protect them and allow them to grow healthy. If you soak your cuticles in water and cut them excessively with scissors, your nails can weaken. So, it’s best not to remove them.

Don’t pick at the hangnails

If you pick at hangnails with your hands, the skin can tear widely and deeply, and germs can enter through the gaps, leading to paronychia. You may also feel heat, and pain and pus can occur in severe cases. It can heal independently but can also worsen into cellulitis, so be careful. If hangnails occur, use nail clippers or scissors instead of picking them with your hands to neatly cut off only the part where the skin is lifted.

What if your nails break easily?

If your nails split and break easily, you might want to consider the possibility of hyperthyroidism. This is related to an excessively active metabolism in the body. Your nails can split easily if you diet too hard and lack protein.

Fingernails grow faster than toenails

Fingernails generally grow faster than toenails. The hands are used more and receive more stimulation than the feet, which increases the blood flow to the hands, stimulating cell division in the nails and making them grow faster. The more you use your hands, the faster your nails grow. On average, they grow about 0.08 inches per month, and homemakers doing housework can grow up to 0.16 inches. However, as you age, the speed at which your nails grow slows down.

Protein intake helps

You can predict the health of the body to some extent just by looking at your nails. If the color or shape of your nails suddenly changes, there may be something wrong with your body. Healthy nails are smooth, light flesh-colored, and the grown part is white. Ninety percent of nails comprise keratin protein and protein-rich foods like milk and beef can help. Among plant-based foods, beans are the best, with 36% of their composition being protein.

By. Shin Young Jeon