5 Helpful Tips For Doing Your Nails At Home

Doing your own nails from home means that you have complete control over the shape, color, patterns, and more. It can also save a great deal of money doing your nails in this way. 

It is surprisingly easy to achieve the looks that you want with the right materials especially if you buy nail polish wraps online. Here are some tips to help you practice doing your nails at home. Click for answers to questions, including does uv light really dry regular nail polish.  

Have A Clean Surface

Firstly, you will need to prepare the surface of your nails correctly. This means thoroughly removing all acrylic, gel, and nail polish that has been on them previously. There are different ways to do this, depending on the type of treatment your nails have had. 

However, a general rule is that acrylic false nails can be removed by soaking them in acetone or a strong nail polish remover. You will also need to thoroughly clean each nail without causing any damage to them. 

This can be done with a nail polish remover and a Q-tip or cotton round. Make sure this is not getting into any cuts in the hands, cuticles, or the skin surrounding the nail bed. Once you have removed any polish or false nails, you can clean your nails and begin filing them. 

Using your file, you can gently achieve the desired shape and smooth the surface of your nails. This is one of the best ways to prepare your nails for another coat of polish, or for false nails, as the surface will be easier to adhere to. 

Use The Right Tools

Something that many people tend to overlook is the importance of using the right nail tools. These include a high quality file, polish recommended by nail techs or salons, and the right base coat. 

Consider researching the type of nails you have, and which brands of polish would be the most appropriate for protecting and strengthening your natural nails. This is the key to making your nails last as long as possible, and ensuring that they can withstand certain levels of impact. 

Likewise, you will need to take care of your tools as well as your nails. Prevent bacteria from growing and causing an infection in your nails or the surrounding skin by thoroughly disinfecting your tools between use. 

Of course, disposable files made with emery boards should be replaced frequently. Reusable nail tools should be cleaned with soap and water, before wiping them with rubbing alcohol. 

Exfoliate

Another crucial part of taking care of your nails is exfoliating. Using an exfoliating cream or balm that has been designed for the hands is ideal, and it should be spread from your nail bed to the forearms. 

Just like exfoliating other parts of the skin, it is important to remove dead skin cells so that they do not cause irritation or encourage harmful bacteria to grow. Exfoliating your hands is essential, and this step should not be missed when you are doing your nails at home. 

Moisturize

Similarly, you will need to moisturize the skin surrounding your nails, on your forearms, and hands. There are many alternatives to regular hand cream which are suitable for use on the cuticles as well. 

Consider moisturizing the skin on your hands in order to prevent tacky nail polish from smudging before it is fully dry. Make sure you get rid of any residue on the cuticles or skin around the nails before applying any polish. 

Oil products provide a significant amount of moisture which can provide a spa experience at a fraction of the cost. 

Leave Your Cuticles Alone

Finally, you should not do anything to your cuticles! They act as a seal around the nail beds, which protects dirt and harmful bacteria from entering. People who choose to trim or completely remove the cuticles are far more vulnerable to infections. 

Not only that, but it can cause a little pain or irritation when polish is applied because of the reduced protection. Even if it looks like dead skin, your cuticles are live tissue that need to be taken care of, not removed. The best thing you can do to protect your cuticles is thoroughly massaging cuticle oil into them. 

Summary

Doing your own nails can be a great form of self-care. There are different approaches you can take when it comes to experimenting with different looks. However, the most important thing is that you are protecting your nails and the overall health of your cuticles.