Don’t neglect your nails

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 28

Don’t neglect your nails

LIKE ANY other part of our body, to get nails functioning and looking their best, we must spend time and make an effort. So many of us, although we spend time on our skin and hair, forget that our hands are just as much on show. Well manicured nails are the telling signs of a well groomed and confident person. Nails are horny extensions of the skin, consisting of the visible nail and the matrix, which is invisible except for the uppermost tip which we recognise as the half moon. The rest of the matrix is rather like the nail itself and extends down to the first joint. How strong and brittle your nails are is partly a matter of inheritance, but nutrition is also important. Protein, iron, calcium, potassium, vitamin B, and iodine will help keep your nails healthy. A regular professional manicure is ideal, but equal good results can be achieved at home and can even become a pleasurable and relaxing pastime. All it involves is about 45 minutes, once a week.

First, remove all existing nail enamel with an oily nail polishy remover. Cottonwool, not tissues, shoul’d be used and care should be taken not to rub the nails causing cuticle damage, but to let the remover sit on top allowing

the polish to dissolve. Second, the nails should be filed using an emery board only. A rounded, square shape is the most successful and the emery board should be used at a 45deg angle to the nail. Most emery boards have two sides with two different grains on them. The rough side can be used to alter the length while the fine side finishes and smoothes the nail end. Remember that nails need not to be too long to be well manicured. In fact excessively long nails could be considered out of date. The cuticle is often neglected. It protects our nail bed and so requires special care. Cuticle softener can be used for softening and nourishing. This can be applied every night while watching television or before going to sleep. Another good nail care step for in front of the television is nail soaking. Soak your nails for three to five minutes each hand, in conditioner or warm oil. After doing this, take an orange stick wrapped in cotton wool and gently push the cuticles upwards. Then buff your nails by pushing them down

in the palm of your hands. This stimulates the circulation, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients to the nails, which enhances their growth. To apply polish successfully it is necessary to start off with a clean nail bed free from dirt and Oils. A base coat is essential. This protects the nail from discolouration and helps your polish adhere. Leave the base coat to dry for 5 minutes before applying colour. Two coats of colour are usually required, again leaving them for five minutes in between to allow them to dry. This season’s colours are predominantly neutral with the brighter colours for longer nails only. A top coat can be applied to protect the colour, increase the gloss, and make your manicure last longer. Protect your nails from everyday damage. Use a pencil to dial the phone and the pads of your fingers to type. Wear gloves while gardening or doing the dishes. Just a little thought towards proper nail care is the essential beginning for lovely looking hands.

KIRSTY LAY