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It is said that a lady’s hands are the most accurate indicator of her age, and these days there is even surgery available to keep hands looking youthful! Our poor hands and nails suffer badly in the winter months, just when you want them to look great for Christmas parties! To keep yours looking their best, take a look at these top hand and nail care rules.
Wear rubber gloves
Get into the habit of wearing gloves when doing any kind of housework. Cleaning products and dirt are harsh on the skin and nails so protect them every time. You can even make doing the housework into a treat for your hands by applying your favourite moisturiser before you put on the gloves!
Dry your hands thoroughly
Dry your hands after your shower or bath and never file your nails until they are absolutely dry, or you will damage them.
Enjoy a healthy diet
Make sure you have plenty of Biotin (a B vitamin), calcium and zinc in your diet. Biotin will strengthen your nails. Calcium is possibly the most important supplement for women over 30: it keeps your bones strong and of course, your nails. White spots on the nails may indicate a zinc deficiency.
Keep your hands hydrated
Use moisturiser every day on your hands. For extra-healthy nails try massaging vitamin E oil into your cuticles. During the day be sure to choose a moisturiser with a minimum SPF of 15. At night use a nice, rich hand cream and once a week coat the moisturiser with oil (vitamin E or even olive oil) and wear a pair of cotton gloves throughout the night for a deep conditioning treatment.
File your nails correctly
To keep your nails at their strongest, file in one direction rather than using a ’sawing’ back and forth action, which will make them weaker and more prone to breakage.
Look after your cuticles
Gently push your cuticles back after a shower or bath. You may do this with a towel while drying them, or use an orange stick with a little cotton wool wrapped around the end. Be gentle or you will damage them. Never cut your cuticles.
Always use a base coat
When painting your nails, always use a base coat to avoid staining them with the colour coat. Try to go for something nourishing and strengthening. Sally Hanson products are fantastic.
Avoid polish removers containing acetone or formaldehyde
Acetone and formaldehyde are extremely drying for nails. Use acetate-based removers instead.
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