Women: How to Stop Your Most Annoying Bad Nail Care Habits

Taking care of your nails is more than having them look nice. Though taking care of them properly often leads to them looking nice, aesthetic value is not what matters most. The health of your nails is critical for them to function correctly.

Bad Nail Care Habits? Good Opportunity to Change

Poor nail care habits happen—and it’s not always out of blatant negligence. Sometimes, it’s even caused by a desire to have them look a certain way. Whatever the reason, it’s never too late to kick a bad habit.

If you’re guilty of any of the following, it’s all good. Correct and move on, your nails will thank you.

If You’re a Biter

There’s a term for this one, and it’s called onychophagia. It doesn’t mean you’re not well-groomed overall, but rather that you cannot stop biting your nails. Biting leads to deformation and irregularities in the nail

What to do: Keep them painted and done, voila. If you do it in your sleep, consider a mouthguard.

If You’re a Pusher

Obsessively pushing your cuticles back might seem like a good idea at first. That smooth, open surface becomes satisfying, and you want them to look and feel good, right? Pushing your cuticles too often can lead to infection and dry, brittle cuticles, which are the exact opposite of what you’re aiming for.

What to do: Use a cuticle removing product so that you have no cuticles to push. There are solutions, as well as tools that can be used to do so.

If You Don’t Care for Them

If you don’t bother with any tools and aren’t happy with the state of your nails, you might experience damage over time. Not having a nail care routine is as damaging to one’s health as not having a self-care routine.

What to do: Learn to cut and manage them properly, and come up with a routine.

If You’re a Serial Gel-Mani Getter

Gel manicures are gorgeous, and they last forever. However, they are generally not healthy for the nail. The entire process outside of placing some hydrating oil or lotion at the end is harmful. It entails scraping of the nail, as well as the application of harsh chemicals.

What to do: Alternate between manicures, give your nails a break. Give a healthy nail polish a try.

If You Forget about Nail Polish Remover

It’s tempting, I know, to keep that polish one for just one more day. Don’t. Over wearing your nail polish does not allow them a chance to breathe. Plus, you know you want to try out that new color.

What to do: Try out that new color. Just wait a couple of days in between, and you’re golden.

General Tips for Nail Care

If you’re not guilty of any of the previous (I’m not sure that I believe you). Kidding, but if you’re seriously not, but want to improve the state of your nails, give the following a go:

• Stay hydrated, avoid overdoing alcohol and caffeine.
• Try eating a diet that will benefit your nails.
• Try taking supplements for your nails.

If you’re having trouble with your nails, try not to sweat it too hard, and most certainly stay away from biting. Correction is just a cuticle removing the solution away.