Your hands are the workhorses of your body. You use them for seemingly everything you do – from opening jars and doors to talking expressively and shaking hands. Constant hand washing and usage require extra care and love to ensure the hands you have feel good and look great at any time of the year. Keep reading to learn how to care for your hands.
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Use the Right Tools
Fingernails require love and care to keep them looking their best. And the best way to make that happen is with high-quality nail care implements, such as a cuticle pusher. Just as you take care of your fingernails, you need to take care of your manicure set. Cleaning your fingernails with dirty tools will only defeat your efforts and possibly allow an infection to set in.
Take a few moments to clean your tools after every use. Make it a priority to deep clean and sanitize the nail care tools weekly using the proper cleaning solutions and methods. Clean tools equate to clean nails in every way.
Manage Your Nails
Whether you prefer to rock a long set of nails or keep them a bit shorter, you need to take care of them to prevent snags and unsightly cracks. The best way to do this is by gently filing and shaping them every week.
Watch this video to learn how to give yourself an easy DIY manicure in the comfort of your own home.
Wear Lotion Diligently
One main component of hand care is using lotion. You should apply it in the morning after your shower. Continue using lotion as you feel dry and after every hand washing throughout the day. This will help keep the skin on your hands supple. In addition, lotion will help your cuticles stay healthy.
As the months pass by, the humidity changes. The moisture in the air affects your hands and how they feel. When the drier winter months are upon you, it is a good idea to use thicker moisturizer than you usually do.
Apply Sunscreen Liberally
Protecting the skin on your hands from the sun is not only a summer-time priority. Since the sun shines down upon you all year round, you need to slather on the SPF whenever you leave the house. It is also important for you to wear sunscreen when driving or sitting in areas of your home where the sun shines through the windows.
Look for an SPF formulation that is specifically made for the skin on your hands. Opt for moisturizing brands in a scent you enjoy so you will be more apt to wear it. Keep a small bottle of sunscreen in your bag for on-the-go application.
Clean Under Your Nails
No matter the length of your nails, dirt, and debris tend to build up underneath them causing an unsightly look. If you have polished nails, you may not notice how dirty they become. That is why it is always best to keep them clean.
Use the tip of a nail pick to gently scrape the dirt from under your fingernail. For hygienic reasons, it is in your best interest to use a mild, hand-friendly soap and a soft nail brush to scrub under your fingernails every time you wash your hands.
Change Your Habits
If you tend to pick at your fingernails, cuticles, or the skin around your fingernails, it is time to stop. Although the practice may be a habit – and one you do without thinking, you still need to change it.
Flaking skin or hangnails are annoying, but they become worse as you pick at the skin and pull on it. You can damage the skin and cause it to bleed and look unsightly. In addition, once you begin the habit, it is hard to stop since there will be loose bits that you will constantly want to pull on.
Instead of picking, use a nail clipper to trim the loose and dry skin as close to your body as possible. Next, apply some lotion to keep the area hydrated. Finally, leave it alone as it heals. If you need to, put a bandage around the area to protect it from your curious hands.
Now that you have this information available to you, it is time to invest in high-quality manicure tools. By using the best tools available and caring for your hands and fingernails, you will be comfortable showing off your beautifully manicured nails and soft hands. Put on a great playlist, practice self care and get started today.
