Quality Nail Spa

12 Things You Should Stop Doing to Your Nails Now and Forever
Perhaps you're determined to stop biting your nails or peeling off your gel polish (it's a hard habit to break, I get it). Or maybe just want to maintain your nail health (yes, please!) or learn how to fake a just-from-the-salon type of mani (also yes). Whatever the case, you'll want to put nail pro (and Sally Hansen's Global Color Ambassador) Madeline Poole’s advice into action asap. Here, 12 things you need to stop doing to your nails now to keep them in tip-top shape.
1. Stop … peeling off your gel mani. “The no. 1 thing I tell people not to do is peel off their gel manicure,” Poole says. “Because, as you peel the gel off, you end up peeling away super-thin layers of your nail along with the formula, which can cause divots that linger for months. Doing this can even cause your nail to peel after the fact, which will cause your polish to chip faster; plus, it just won’t look pretty.” Instead, Poole recommends soaking your nails in a bowl of acetone-based polish to loosen the gel from your nail bed. “Put a ton of cuticle oil on and around your nails first (to help hydrate them and the skin surrounding it), and soak your tips in the remover for 10 minutes,” she explains. Then, gently remove it using light pressure and the flat, slanted tip of an orange stick (a long wooden cuticle pusher) that you can pick up at any beauty supply shop or drugstore.
2. Stop … cutting your cuticles. If you have a hangnail on the side of your nail bed, it can sometimes be painful if you don’t get rid of it. However, if hangnails aren’t trimmed away properly, you can actually cause more to crop up. Poole’s advice: It’s better to never cut your cuticles and instead, apply a cuticle-removing formula over the perimeter of your nail bed, and then push your cuticle back using the flat tip of an orange stick or cuticle pusher. Then, gently remove the free-up dead skin with a tissue or the softest side of a buffing block to reveal a hangnail-free, clean-looking nail bed. Try Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover and The Body Shop Nail Block.
3. Stop … using your other nails as chisels to chip off your nail polish. Anytime you purposely chip the paint off of your nails (whether it’s a nervous habit or you’re just finally over that burgundy lacquer), you chip away microscopic layers from your nail bed. This is bad for two reasons: (1) it gives your nail a rough texture even if you can’t see it with your naked eye, and (2) “you can cause trauma to, and even chip or break the tip, of the nail that you’re using as the ‘chisel,’” Poole adds. So, to keep from hacking away at your nail polish, keep individually wrapped nail polish remover pads in your purse or pick up a nail polish removing formula that takes off lacquer in seconds
4. Stop … getting water-based manicures. Think of your nail bed as a sponge: Dip it in water, and it’ll absorb the liquid and expand. Then, as it dries, it shrinks back down to its original size. Now apply that same thinking to getting a water-based manicure. “When you soak your fingertips in water to soften your cuticles, your nail expands,” Poole explains. “This normally wouldn’t be a problem; however, if you’re applying polish before it shrinks back down, your lacquer will likely chip faster.” Rather than soaking your tips in water, Poole recommends applying oil or a cuticle-removing formula on the skin around your nail bed, pushing back your cuticles with an orange stick, and then sweeping them away with a tissue
5. Stop … putting nail polish remover in your lacquer to thin it out. "This tip is an old wives’ tale from way back when," Poole says. “Adding remover to any polish actually actually makes the paint chip faster and the pigment become foggy, because nail polish remover isn’t one of the ingredients in nail polish. So it just ends up making the paint look less vibrant versus turning your gummy polish smooth." If extending the life of your polish is your ultimate goal, get nail polish thinner and add a few drops to your favorite shade to make thick polish swipe on evenly again. “If you add too much thinner too often though, the longevity of your polish might not be as lengthy as if you didn’t use it,” Poole warns. “It won’t mess up the quality though
6. Stop … getting acrylics. Bottom line: Acrylics are really bad for your nails' health. Not only is the formula super drying, because it’s actually suffocating to your nail bed, the application process can also cause indentations on your tips from all of the rough prep that needs to be done by the nail tech to get the acrylic to adhere to your nails. “Let’s not forget to mention how bad it is to breathe in the acrylic powder, which is full of chemicals,” Poole adds. If you want to take your nail lengths to the next level while also keeping health risks at bay, Poole prefers press-ons. “They’re way less traumatizing to the nail — and you can do them yourself,” she adds
7. Stop … sawing your nails back and forth when you file them. "I usually liken sawing your nails back and forth to cutting your hair with a dull pair of scissors," she says. "When you aggressively saw your nails with a file, it makes the tip frayed versus a clean edge. You also have less control over the shape you're trying to create — oval, square, round, etc. — since your nail shaves down quicker when you file it too fast. "Sometimes if the manicurist is too aggressive with the file, you can even see your nail move back and forth, like a loose tooth,” she notes. This is exactly what you want to avoid — especially because all of the above is a gateway for peeling and premature breakage, since the harsh trauma of filing causes weakness.
What’s the right way to file your nails? “You get the smoothest, fray-free finish when you file from the side of your nail to the center in one direction, lifting the file away from the nail, and returning to the starting point where your skin and nail connect,” Poole explains. "By using this technique, you get less of a ragged tip — plus, the fluid filing movement is less traumatic to your nail bed.” If you’ve already frayed the eff out of your free edge (aka the tip of your nail), Poole suggests trimming them ever so slightly, and then reshaping them using the fluid motion filing technique. Finally, massage some nail oil over your tips to help hydrate them. Try using a washable glass file that won't be too harsh on your tips, like
8. Stop … biting your nails. Biting your nails can be compared to filing them improperly. Not only does gnawing on them make their edges frayed, soaking them in a liquid aka your saliva makes them super weak. Plus, the whole experience isn’t sanitary, especially because debris, dirt, and bacteria is lodged up under your nail and is possibly going into your mouth. Eek! Have a habit you can’t quit? Poole suggests getting one coat of clear gel on your nails because “it’s too thick to bite through.” Or, you can paint on a gross-tasting formula to deter you from putting your fingers in your mouth
9. Stop … painting over oily nails. Sure, you want your nails and the skin surrounding your tips to be hydrated and hangnail-free, but applying polish over oily nail beds isn’t going to leave you with a longest-lasting manicure. “You want to start with the driest nails possible,” Poole instructs. “After you’ve done all of the steps — gently filed your nails, safely removed your cuticles, and moisturized your hands with oil or lotion — wipe only your nail beds down with a nail polish remover wipe (or dip a cotton swab into some remover and clear away any oil that way). Then, start with your base coat, add polish, and finish with top coat. Try Cutex Nail Polish Remover Pads.
10. Stop … shaking your polish to mix it up. When your polish sits for too long without being used, it settles and the ingredients separate. To properly mix the polish together again, roll the bottle between your hands rather than shaking it, since the latter creates air bubbles in the formula that can also show up as tiny bubbles on your nails when you paint them.
11. Stop ... using cotton balls to remove your polish. The reasoning behind this seems like a no-brainer, but it's always been a habit of mine to use a cotton ball, so I think it's important to note: cotton balls = fuzzies left on your nail aka your manicure will be ruined. Whereas, paper towels don't leave behind fuzz, so Poole recommends using them instead.
12. Stop … painting on thick layers of polish. Coating on a lot of layers means you’ll literally be watching paint dry (on your fingertips) for the next who knows how many hours, because they’ll take longer to fully harden. Plus, too many layers mean your application could end up looking bubbly or uneven rather than smooth. To make sure your mani comes out looking profesh, stick to two coats and allow proper drying time in between each one. “If you wait for the paint to dry in between coats, it allows all of the air to escape the formula and really seals the lacquer on your nail before applying the next coat,” Poole says. “This is the secret to a professional, long-lasting manicure. I’m also not against quick dry formulas if you don’t have a ton of time; I use the Sally Hansen InstaDry Top Coat, which is pretty amazing.” Her foolproof trick to a flawless paint job: Start with your pinky finger on your left hand and work toward the opposite pinky finger; when you land at your right hand’s pinky nail, it’s safe to begin the second coat on your left hand.

How to Take Care of Your Hands and Nails
Do your nails have weird-looking cuticles or do hands feel as hard as a pumice rock? Maybe it's because you give your hands too much stress or that your nails are not properly cared for.
Gather up all of the things you need and place them near the sink, just in case you spill something.

Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Remove all the leftover polish with this. If you don't have any nail polish on right now, please proceed on with the next step.
Take the bowl of sudsy water and soak your fingers for 5 minutes.

When you are done, take one of the washcloths (see Things You'll Need) and gently push back your cuticles.
Get the nail cutters and shape your nails into a U-shape. Cut off any hangnails.

Soak your nails in the lemon juice (Things You'll Need) for about 5 minutes. This cure will make your fingernails healthy.

Apply the lotion onto your hands and then take the two washcloths and cover your hands with them for 7 minutes. They should feel soft and refreshed afterwards.
Buff your nails or polish them.

NAIL ART COMPILATION #5 - French Manicure Designs / LifeWorldWomen Compilation #5 By My French Manicure Designs: In this video I show you several French nail art designs of my favorite ones. I hope you'll like that ...

BÍ QUYẾT LÀM NAIL BẠN NÊN BIẾT
Làm nail là một nghệ thuật, người làm nail là nghệ sĩ. Để bền vững với nghề nail đòi hỏi thợ nail phải luôn luôn học hỏi và không ngừng cố gắng. Sở hữu những mẹo vặt thần thánh là một trong những điều không thể thiếu nếu bạn muốn hơn người khác. Bài viết sẽ chia sẻmột số bí quyết giúp bạn nâng cao hơn nữa kỹ năng làm nail nhé!
Bí quyết giũa móng tự nhiên
Giũa móng là chuyện thường ngày của làm nails, chỉ có vấn đề là làm sao giũa cho “nhanh gọn, chính xác và hiệu quả cao nhất” mới gọi là “pro”. Một bạn làm nails lâu năm vùng Santa Monica, Cali là Laura P. Nguyen nêu kinh nghiệm thực hiện như sau:
“Khi giũa móng tự nhiên, tuyệt đối không dùng dũa sắt vì sẽ gây hư hại móng, nên dùng loại dũa từ 220 grit trở lên là tốt nhất, đồng thời nhớ giũa theo một chiều để tránh làm móng nóng, khách không hài lòng, những thao tác còn lại của giũa móng vẫn làm bình thường”

Bí quyết làm móng bột, bột được dính chặt, không bị đẩy lên hay b**g ra
Problems có thể xảy ra khi làm Acrylic nails là hiện tượng b**g hay móng bị đẩy lên, làm khách dễ “complain”, giải pháp phòng tránh (ngoài những cách thông thường ) là dùng các mỹ phẩm giúp làm tăng tối đa sự kết dính giữa các chất đạm của móng và bột, có bán ở các beauty nails supply tại địa phương.
Nhiều thợ nails làm lâu năm thường thủ các mỹ phẩm này để hỗ trợ cho kỹ thuật làm móng bột của mình thêm tuyệt hảo.

Bí quyết cắt móng chân cho khách hay bị móng mọc bên trong đâm vào da gây đau nhức

Có những người khách, móng chân khi làm nail xong, về hay bị hiện tượng móng mọc bên trong đâm vào da khách gây đau đớn, cứ “complain” thợ hoài. Dưới đây là kinh nghiệm của thợ nail Loan N, vùng Carson, Cali: “Việc này, thường có thể do thợ nails cắt móng chân cho khách không đúng kỹ thuật. Trước hết, với khách dạng này thường có kích cỡ bàn chân lớn, nên dùng loại kềm bấm (cắt) loại lớn. Khi bấm cắt lưu ý 2 điều: thứ nhất, không chừa đầu móng quá cong dễ gây ra việc móng mọc dâm vào bên trong; thứ hai chỉ nên để móng dài hơn đầu ngón chân một chút mà thôi, cũng tuyệt đối không được cắt ngắn quá. Còn các thao tác cắt khác vẫn làm bình thường như mọi người”

Bí quyết giúp khách giữ màu sơn trên móng được đẹp lâu và bền
Làm nails xong, mà màu sơn giữ được lâu bền thì khách rất thích và đó cũng là ao ước của mọi thợ nails tận tâm phục vụ khách . Dưới đây là 4 cách sẽ giúp khách giữa màu sơn được đẹp lâu và bền:
Nhớ phải làm thật sạch móng trước khi sơn lớp nữa tiếp theo
Khuyên khách về nhà, vài ngày một lần, nên sơn thêm lớp nước bóng bảo vệ để lớp sơn màu lâu phai
Sử dụng những hóa phẩm chuyên dụng có trên thị trường, có tác dụng giữ màu sơn bền lâu, đây là cách làm hữu hiệu nhất
Dùng các loại mỹ phẩm khô, làm bóng móng đặc hiệu có bán ở các các beauty nail supply.

Bí quyết ngăn ngừa nhiễm trùng cho móng khi khách bị rách móng
Chuyện này từng xảy ra ở tiệm nail, kinh nghiệm của chị Nina P T làm nails vùng North Atlanta là nên bôi cho khách dược liệu tổng hợp đặc biệt hay mỹ phẩm lỏng chuyên dụng lên móng, loại này sẽ tạo màng cứng giúp móng khách không bị chảy máu và nhiễm trùng, tất cả đều phải có tác dụng cầm máu rất tốt, bạn nên tìm hiểu ở các beauty supply trong vùng để tìm mua phòng khi hữu sự sử dụng liền .

Bí quyết lấy da dư thừa ở khoé móng
Làm nails mà lấy khoé giỏi, không làm khách đau, sẽ được kh ách tin yêu và luôn tìm cách lấy hẹn để được phục vụ. Kinh nghiệm trong việc này, chị Monique H. làm nails vùng Hesperia, Cali, cho biết: “Trước hết phải xoa bóp da bằng kem hay dầu làm mềm chuyên dụng, dùng mỹ phẩm thích hợp rửa sạch những vết thương trên biểu bì nếu có, rồi cạy sạch khéo léo những miếng da bị mắc kẹt ở khoé móng của khách ra thật nhẹ nhàng cẩn thận. Ngoài ra có thể dùng nhíp nhựa để gắp các da vụn này, thường rất êm và nhẹ nhàng, dễ làm khách yên tâm hài lòng”

How To Maintain Coffin Nails 😻 Hey Tribe it’s Kia from Hairitage93 and in this video I’m gonna walk you through how I maintain the look of coffin nails, especially as my nails grow out ove...

How to make nails pinkish & shiny
Most women try to stay perfect when it comes to beauty. From crown to toe, they simply don’t want to let go! From perfect hair to their daily wear, everything speaks of their personality. Nails are quite important too, and most of us spare some time to keep them prim-and-proper. In this article, we will discuss some of the easiest and best home remedies, which can make your nails look pinker and shinier. Go through these quick and easy nail hacks and make them look prettier.
Home Remedies to make nails pink & shine
Olive Oil
Take lukewarm to bearable warm water in a bowl. Add a few drops of olive oil and then soak your nails. After sometime, massage the cuticles and nails with olive oil. Warm it a little before that. If you follow this remedy everyday, you will restore shine within a week.
Baby Oil
your nails dry up when exposed to water quite often. For example, if you do the dishes or wash clothes, your nails are surely going to dry up. For locking the natural moisture of nails you can use baby oil. Massage nails with premium quality baby oil for preventing it to dry up or to get brittles.
Fish Oil
consuming fish oil is healthy for improving your nails. They are best for the cold seasons, so you know that it is almost time! Fish oils include omega-3 fatty acid which makes the nails stronger and adds moisture to them. The oil also has vitamin S which adds nourishment and prevents from any kind of damage.
Coconut Oil for shiny nails
this oil is a wonder oil which has plenty many uses. Apart from all its other benefits, this oil also makes your nails pinker and shinier. It is also know to prevent them from fungal infection. Massage your cuticles with this ‘easy to obtain’ oil and then massage gently. Let it dry on its own and repeat regularly. Twice a day is recommended for speedy improvement.
Rose Water for pink rose nails
rose water comes with several beauty benefits, and this too is one of them. Applying tose water on your nails regular with make your nails pinker. They are also known to wash away spots if any. You can add a few drops of lemon juice with rose water, which turns out to be a little more effective. Repeat the remedy thrice a week and make your nails clean, healthy and shiny.
Petroleum Jelly
this is quick hack which can make your nails shiny in no time! Buy good quality petroleum jelly to obtain this shiny look. Repeat the process regularly after bath and before going to bed. A coat of this jelly will prevent the nails from losing moisture and make it look bright naturally.
Lemon Juice
This works like a bleaching agent for your nail and make them look lovely! These will not only add shine but also remove any kind of stains from them. If you want to have bright nails with lemon juice, you simply need to soak you hand in them for some time. You can add vinegar or warm water, because you’d need a good quantity of liquid, and lemon juice might not be enough. Rub a brush on the nails while you soak them in a mix. After a while you ought to wash your hands with warm water and make your nails look wonderful, within 1 week of regular usage.
Cucumber
This is another natural element for making your nails look pretty! Slice small circular patterns with a knife like you are preparing a salad. Rub the pieces on your nails and let it them absorb the juice. You will see a major change within a couple of weeks.
Butter for smooth nails
while women mostly like to stay away from butter for weight loss, you might make a smooth balance by letting it get used for your cuticles! Butter includes a rich amount of vitamin A, B, E, sodium, calcium, zinc, potassium, magnesium and iron. These chemical compounds make your nails glow while butter keeps them soft too. Massage a nails for a few minutes and then wash with lukewarm water. Repeat the remedy daily till it gets you visible results!
Water for shining nails
Did you know that you are to wash your hands after cutting your nails, not only due to cleanliness, but also to keep them soft? Yes, water keeps your nails soft, and you don’t have a problem for the next uses of a nail-cutter. Water is also know to make your nails shinier. First of all, heavy consumption of water lets you have you shine back, while washing your nails regularly keeps them clean and washes off layer of dullness.
Yogurt to shine nails
After reading so many suggestions of massaging nails, this is one epic ingredient, which works well without frequent use. Yohurt contains iron, calcium, zinc along with vitamins like A, C, D and E. All of these keep your nails shiny and healthy! Don’t forget to have yogurt every regularly as well!
Evening primrose oil
Adding primrose oil capsule to your morning and evening diet would make you nails stronger and brighter. They include gamma-linoleic acid, linoleic acid, etc. which adds to the aids.
Food rich in Hydrochloric acid
food which include hydrochloric acid help you digest better. They absorb the nutrients well and keep you healthy. If your body lacks acid content, it makes your skin, hair and nail look dull. Thus, consuming food with this ingredient will solve most screen related conditions. Some ingredients with such content include apple cider vinegar, celery, black olives, lemon juice, spinach, etc. Only while opting for apple cider vinegar, make sure you dilute it with lemon juice for avoiding burning sensation.
Vitamin E for pinkish nails
This betters the circulation of blood to our nail beds which is why it enhances nail health. Consuming food which includes vitamin E like nuts, corn, eggs, cucumber, tofu, spinach, avocados, broccoli, etc. will improve nail health and prevent them from breaking.
Toothpaste Scrub to make nails pink
Just as our body needs exfoliation our nails too need the same! It restores natural glow and makes them shine. Use your overused toothbrush or a newly bought one for this purpose. Brush your nails and applying whitening toothpaste along with it. This removes dirt and refreshes the cuticles as well.
Milk for strong & healthy natural nails
It is another ingredient which helps you cleanse your nails and lasts the shine for long. The nail absorbs the milk and keeps them nourished. Take adequate amount of milk and warm it. Put your nails and let them get nourished. Cleanse it with water and then apply a moisturizer. This will prevent nail weakening and breakage. Repeat regularly for speedy and significant results.
Borage Seed Oil
borage oil is extracted from borage seeds. They are rich in linolenic acid (GLA), salicylic acid, mucilage, omega – 3, potassium nitrate, resin, calcium and magnesium. All these made it quite a good treatment for numerous health related problems. Along with measures issues like high blood pressure, dermatitis, etc. you can also heal your nail condition. You are recommended to use around 600 mg of GLA everyday and 1300 mg of borage oil gives you 300 mg of GLA. They are sold in gel like formula or capsules. Choose any of your preference but after a doctor’s consultation.
Black Currant Seed Oil
just like borage and evening primrose oil, even currant seed oil is used for treating brittle nails. They give you back the lost shine and keep them healthy for long. This also includes vitamin C and flavonoids for improving your nails and making it shiny. You can buy the supplements and have them twice a day. Continue it for 2 months and if you will see an improvement in your nails. Consult a GP for knowing the exact GLA content that you should consume.
Food rich in protein for healthy nail growth
diet is important for everybody. We have to think to keep every part of our body in mind, while planning to maintain a healthy diet. If you add more proteins to your diet it will add shine and strength for you. Our nails are made up of structural proteins called keratin. This is like the building blocks which keep our nail shiny and strong. Add more food like eggs, dairy, fish, chicke, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, spinach, etc. in your diet for making your nails and your body healthier.
Apple Cider Vinegar for strong nails
It is known break down food which is why it can absorb nutrients. Use raw and organic vinegar for this process. Add 1 glass of water to 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Stir well and drink the solution. Never drink apple cider vinegar raw. If you have a burning sensation after consuming the diluted drink, you can add 1 teaspoon of baking powder which balances out the condition.
Avocados
Avocados include fat, protein and nutrients which strengthen nails and make them shiny. If you consume one avocado everyday it will deliver phytonutrients, minerals, along with vitamins to your body. You can also apply avocado oil to the nails to make them look shiny and to keep them hydrated. The oil has anti-oxidant properties, vitamins A, B, B1, B2, D, and E, potassium and beta-carotene which makes the nail healthier and shiny.
Take an avocado and mash it. Add some rosewater to make proper paste and then apply on the nails. Massage it softly and let it dry for 20 minutes. Rinse it with water and repeat daily till you get desired results.
Lemon manicure
Lemon works like a natural bleach which is why women love it so much! From skin to hair to even your nails, you just have so much to do with lemons! Take a fresh lemon and squeeze it. You would need about 2 tablespoons added with ½ teaspoon of vinegar and warm water. Use an old tooth or nail brush for brushing the nails after you have soaked it into the lemon water for 5 minutes. Rinse the nails and then apply moisturizer. Repeat 2 times for 2 weeks for pinkish nails!
Fish oil
Fish oil is one more ingredient which you can apply to your nails. It includes essential nutrients, healthy fats along with necessary vitamins. Fish oil includes omega – 3 fatty acids which reduces inflammation and adds moisture. It also makes your nails look shiny and lubricated. Vitamin A is a major ingredient in fish oil for nourishing the nail cuticles. You can consume or apply fish oil according to your preference.

6 Ways to Care for Your Cuticles

Though you may only think about your cuticles when you get a manicure, they're not just hanging out on your hands. They serve a purpose, and they need your TLC.

Your cuticles are part of your skin. They sit atop your nails' growth matrix, which is the part of your nails that grows.

Cuticles are "there for a reason, like a barrier or a protection for the nail matrix," says Richard Scher, MD, a Cornell University dermatology professor.

To keep that protection strong, follow these six tips.

1. Don't Cut Your Cuticles.

Dermatologists say there's no good reason to cut the cuticles.

Cutting them could open the door to infection or irritation. "If you remove the cuticle, that space is wide open, and anything can get in there," Scher says.

Cutting your cuticles can also lead to nail problems, such as ridges, white spots, or white lines.

If you get a bacterial infection in that area, it can hamper that fingernail's growth."That's not particularly aesthetic, as well as being uncomfortable," says Ella Toombs, MD, a Washington, D.C., dermatologist.

2. Go Orange.

If you're hoping to make your nails appear longer, you can push your cuticles back gently with a wooden orange stick instead.

"Cuticles don't want to be cut," Toombs says. "They're supposed to be soft, and cutting can make them hard, more likely to fracture. If you cut it, it has an increased tendency to split off."

Some people who cut their cuticles regularly are afraid to stop, because they worry that their cuticles will grow and grow, giving their hands an unsightly look. Experts say this simply won't happen, and switching from cuticle clippers to an orange stick is a smart move.

"It's a myth, the same way that they say that shaving will make your beard grow faster, but letting the beard grow in will make it slow down," Scher says. "Neither is true. Cutting the cuticle doesn't make it grow faster. Nothing you can do can change the rate of growth."

3. Moisturize.

Although the cuticles don't feel like the soft skin on the rest of your hands, they're composed primarily of skin, so it's essential to keep them moisturized.

"Cuticles get dry. They crack, peel, and flake, just like the skin does," Scher says. "A good moisturizer for the cuticles is important, just like for dry skin. Any skin moisturizer will work fine for the cuticles. When you put it on your hands and there's some left over, rub it into the cuticles."

Most dermatologists recommend thick moisturizing products, such as ointments or creams, for the best results. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly (Vaseline) as an inexpensive way to care for the cuticles. But some doctors say that using a thick product like petroleum jelly throughout the day isn't always practical, so there are alternatives to use when you're active.

"Ointments are harder to wear during the day, because they're messy," says Bruce Robinson, MD, clinical instructor of dermatology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "You can use them at night when you aren't touching papers in your office. Lotions can be used throughout the day, because the hands don't get as greasy, but lotions aren't as moisturizing as creams and ointments."

A hot wax treatment, which may be offered at the nail salon, is another good way to moisturize the cuticles, according to Toombs. Special oily wax is heated until it melts. People dip their hands into the warm, oily wax, then put on plastic gloves and a mitt to seal in the heat, which they wear for 10 to 15 minutes.

"After you take it off, the hands, nails, and cuticles are softer," Toombs says. "It's a wonderful treatment for nails and cuticles."

Whatever method you choose, be sure to moisten your hands regularly.

"The more frequently you lubricate the hands, including the nails and cuticles, the better they will be," Toombs says.

4. Avoid Rough Manicurists.

Many people see their dermatologist when they develop red, sore spots around their nails or cuticles caused by a skin infection called paronychia.

"Often, patients come in to me when they went to a new nail salon and had a very aggressive nail technician," Scher says. "Usually, they have an infection from over-vigorous manipulation, which usually manifests as redness and soreness. Antibiotics may be necessary."

Before getting your nails done, tell your manicurist that you only want your cuticles pushed back very gently with an orange stick, nothing more. If she pushes the cuticles too vigorously, ask her to stop right away.

5. Steer Clear of Drying Agents.

The hands, nails, and cuticles can dry out from frequent dish washing and from nail polish remover containing acetone. So, experts recommend wearing gloves for dish duty and using acetone-free nail polish remover.

"Whether washing clothes or dishes, you really need to wear vinyl gloves," Toombs says. "That's a good time to put the lubricant on. Having the gloves on keeps the oil on the cuticle and nail plate, and it protects them from the drying effects of water."

6. Keep Your Hands Out of Your Mouth.

"Your mouth is a dirty area, and saliva is an enzyme that breaks down skin," Robinson says. "You can get an infection if you violate the cuticle."

So if you have a habit of biting your nails or nibbling on your cuticles, work on kicking those habits for prettier, healthier hands.