At-Home Treatments for Healthy Nails

When it comes to keeping your nails pretty, shiny, and healthy, there's nothing better then to get a manicure. Sometimes we do our own manicures at home, and sometimes we visit our favorite salon. No matter where we go or how we treat our nails, the same things will always benefit them better than anything else - vitamin and nutrient hand soaks.

All women that take care of their nails and hands know that nail soaks are great before and after your manicure. What many women don't know however, is why these soaks and treatments are so good for your nails. The truth is very simple; your nails are naturally very absorbent, and soaking them in a solution full of helpful vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, will ensure their long lasting durability and natural strength and shine.

If you get your nails done - and I mean getting those pretty acrylics that even I can't resist - then those times between manicures can get rough. If you get your nails off, or if you take them off yourself (yeowch!), it isn't too pretty on your natural nails. This is a quick fix though, it's very easy to repair and rejuvenate your nails quickly and simply.

Using fruit to make a nail soak

Fruits like peaches, papayas, and pineapples are good for your nails because of their nutrient content. These fruits have lots of vitamin C, iron, and protein that can fortify your nails quickly and naturally. Using a couple slices of either peach, papaya, or pineapple in a small glass bowl of warm water and pure cane sugar can help heal any scratches on the surface of your nails, and also help strengthen your cuticles while naturally moisturizing your nails all the way through.

If you use a fruit like peaches that are pitted, be careful! The pits in these fruits have cyanide in them, so don't use any of the pit or flesh directly attached to the pit on your nails. (And especially stay away from eating them in large quantities!) Remember, fruit nail soaks are particularly useful if you have just taken off your acrylic nails and have problems with blemished and cut nail surfaces.

Tomato and Rosemary for Nail Growth

There's one fantastic nail soak that helps your nails grow longer faster. By using a bit of tomato juice and some rosemary essential oil, you can moisturize and enhance the natural flesh-like color of your nails without whitening them too much. This is a great soak to use if you have trouble growing your nails due to vitamin deficiencies and nail biting habits.

Tomato has lots of biotin and lycopene, which can help your nails (as well as your hair) grow and thicken naturally for a healthy, shiny look. If you have dry nails, adding a few drops of honey to the mix and stirring well before you soak can really make a big difference.

Trying to take extra good care of your nails at home will end up really paying off. Even your manicurist will have complements!