There are ten tools at your fingertips, used to tighten screws, slit seals, crease paper, scratch itches, peel labels, scrape lottery tickets, tap out rhythm, and the ever politically-correct task of removing that spinach from between your teeth. Your fingernails are a universal tool, and most of us couldnt function without them being so close to (pardon the pun) hand.Fingernails are composed primarily of keratin; a tough, insoluble protein substance that is the chief structural constituent of hair, nails, horns, and hoofs. Nails grow about 1/8th inch per month and require 3 to 6 months to completely re-grow, while toenails grow about three times slower. Fingernail growth slows as you get older, in cold weather, during illness; mens nails grow faster than womans, and nails on the dominant hand grow faster. Your nails are always in sight, so it doesnt make a positive personal statement if they are grubby, broken, or split with rough, ragged cuticles. Taking care of your nails is no big thing, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to nail care:
- Start with a good soak to soften things up and then cut straight across the front of the nail with a sharp clipper or nail scissors, use a nail board to shape, file in one direction to avoid splitting the nail.
- Buff nails with a 4 in 1 multi-function buffer to smooth ridges, rough spots and remove stains.
- Next apply a cuticle remover or cream, and push the cuticle back (Note: cuticle pens work really well here, the moisturizer is in the felt tip so you dont have to touch it and get your hands oily).
- Do not clip or cut ragged cuticles; this removes the nails protective barrier to bacteria and can cause irregular nail growth and infection.
- Clip hangnails and apply cuticle cream; biting and picking only tears the skin and makes things painfully worse.
Now you have great looking, well-manicured healthy nails, lets work on your dry, rough hands:
- Gentle scrubbing with a granular scrub and a good brush will get the ground-in dirt on knuckles and around the nails.
- Follow up with a light aloe-based hand moisturizer; your hands wont feel or look greasy, just smooth and comfortable.
You clean and maintain your work tools without a second thought, dont you?
Remember to give your hands the same consideration. 2005 Jolene Schwartz
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About The Author
Jolene Schwartz is a grooming specialist for over 20 years; as a master barber and licensed cosmetologist in her own mens salon. She launched http://appearancesformen.com e-com site; writing monthly columns about mens products, lifestyle, and offering the finest in mens grooming products.
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The information of this page is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for your dermatologist's or professional's advice or treatment. For further details, please read our disclaimer.
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