How to Get Your Natural Fingernails to Look as Good as Acrylics

Acrylic nails, when done correctly can look very beautiful. While acrylic nails are nice to wear for special occasions, prolonged wearing can be problematic.

Overtime, the original fingernail can become damaged and unhealthy. To make things worse, fungus occurs when nails separate slightly from the acrylic nail. This leaves a gap, which holds moisture and nurtures bacteria and fungus. Other acrylic nail wearers develop allergic reactions to the chemicals used to apply acrylic nails. Instead of wearing acrylic nails for years on end, it may be wiser to nurture your own fingernails so they can look as good as acrylic nails. Here are some tips you can use.

Take multivitamins with vitamin B and calcium. While proper nutrition would help your fingernails grow, adding vitamins to your diet will make them even healthier. Some foods that will help you grow healthier nails include apples, eggs, garlic, grapes, liver, onions, salmon, seeds, tuna, and whole grains.

Protect your hands when you are cleaning and dealing with chemicals. Always wear rubber gloves to lessen the damage to your fingernails.

Trim and clean your nails regularly, just enough to remove rough edges that will lead to larger breaks and tears. If you can carry a file with you to take care of small problems immediately, this will stop small chips from breaking off the nails. Cut nails back when they reach pass one half inch as longer nails break easier. Clean under them whenever you trim your nails.

Moisturize hands and nails, massaging the cuticles. Use natural oils like vitamin E, coconut oil, and olive oils. There is no need to purchase expensive creams with chemicals in it. Natural oils are much better for your hands.

Wear fingernail polish only when necessary. Nails when harden on their own when allowed to breath. Fingernail polish actually dries out the nail and promotes breakage. Save it for special occasions.

Do not cut cuticles. They are a very important part of your fingers as it prevents germs from entering the body where the nail grows out. You can however, use a cuticle trimmer to remove hangnails. You can gently push back cuticles when moisturizing and massaging your nails.

Do not use your fingernails as tools or to open soda cans. Don't use the tips of your fingernails when typing or playing the piano. Use the balls of your fingers instead.

If you have followed all of these rules and your fingernails are still thin, soft, and have ridges, then you may have nutrition or health problems that are weakening your fingernails.