Beauty Tips - Care for Troubled Nails

Do your nails constantly flake, tear and chip Are you tired of them catching on the threads of your favorite shirts

Do your nails constantly flake, tear and chip? Are you tired of them catching on the threads of your favorite shirts? Sick of getting manicures, only to have one of your nails get ruined within an hour? It doesn''t always have to be like this. Even if you inherited bad nails from your parents, there are lots of steps that you can take to keep them strong, healthy and beautiful. Today it is easier to maintain good nails with all the various formulas and products around to give you a helping hand. And unbelievably you don?t need a manicure too keep your nails in good condition. There are various things you can do to keep your nails in good condition.

First, step away from the nail polish! No one wants to hear it, but the fact is, if you have severely dry or weak fingernails that tend to crack, you shouldn''t be using nail polish on a regular basis. Nail polish removers contain alcohol, which draws necessary moisture out of your already-dry nails, making them more vulnerable to splitting. So only use nail polish on an occasional basis, to minimize remover usage. So the lesson to learn here is to limit if not discontinue the use of nail polish until you get the condition of your nails back on track.

That doesn''t mean that your nails can''t have a nice shine, though. Buffing your nails instead of polishing them gives your nails the same glow that you would get from a clear polish, but without the negative side effects. Just buy yourself a simple three-step buffer, and shine to your heart''s content. Amazingly a nail buffer works wonders for your nails. Your nails can actually start looking better than they ever were. However a nail buffers should not be used regularly rather they should be used after regular intervals.

There are other simple steps that you can take to protect the balance of moisture in your nails. Wearing gloves while you wash dishes, or during any other activity that might allow your nails to soak, helps protect them from drying out. Using a heavy hand moisturizer also helps, by restoring a little moisture to nails that are already dry. And with nails, like with the rest of you, diet counts big. Having a protein-rich diet, complete with folic acids, supplies your body with the right building-blocks for healthy nails. Give your body what it wants, and it will give you what you want.

Finally, normal day-to-day nail care procedures help keep damaged nails healthy. Don''t let your nails grow too long; it might look nice, but if you have weak nails, it just makes them more vulnerable to breakage. Instead, be in charge of your nail length. Keep them trimmed closer to the finger, and keep them trimmed to the same length. Use a file to rub down rough edges- not only does this help prevent tearing caused by rough snags catching on fabric, but it allows you to shape your nails however you like. And never, ever bite. It doesn''t look good, and it''s bad for your teeth. Follow these steps, and your nails- and your sweaters'' will thank you!

Your nails play an important way in the way your hand looks. A set of good nails will make you look and feel dashing.

Debrah Dragon is a writer for Beauty Items, a website about everything beauty-related - beauty tips, Spokane beauty salons, beauty products, etc. Debrah is also a featured author at www.ArticleKing.com