Nail Care: Routine, Strengtheners, and Best Practices

What is nail care, and why is it important?

Nail care refers to the regular practices aimed at maintaining the strength, flexibility, and appearance of both fingernails and toenails. Much more than just a cosmetic concern, it is an aspect ofhand hygiene that helps prevent skin infections around the nails (whitlows), reduces breakage and microtrauma, and enables the early detection of unusual changes. Well-maintained nails reflect a consistent hygiene routine and contribute to everyday comfort.

How can you prevent nail infections?

To reduce the risk ofnail infections (bacterial whitlow, onychomycosis):

• Maintain strict hand and foot hygiene, drying them thoroughly—including between the toes (moist conditions promote fungal infections).
• Use clean, disinfected manicure and pedicure tools (70% isopropyl alcohol); do not share them.
• Do not cut or tear the cuticles: these structures form a natural protective barrier.
• Wear gloves during repeated contact with water or detergents.
• Do not walk barefoot in locker rooms or swimming pools (to prevent athlete’s foot and onychomycosis).
• Seek medical attention promptly if you experience pain, redness, swelling, discharge, or a persistent change in a nail.

What are the best products for nail care?

Several products have a place in a routine:

• Nourishing cuticleoils: jojoba, argan, castor oil. They have an emollient and protective effect.
• Hand and cuticle creams containing glycerin, shea butter, panthenol (B5), and allantoin to preserve the hydrolipidic film around the nails.
• Strengthening treatments: formaldehyde-free cosmetic nail hardeners (prefer formulas based on hydrolyzed proteins or minerals). Claims of “keratin-strengthened nails” should be understood as a cosmetic surface coating effect, since the nail is a dead structure by the time it becomes visible.
• Useprotective base coats and top coats under nail polish to limit the drying effect of pigments and improve longevity.

How to treat brittle and split nails?

For brittle or split nails:

• Apply cuticle oil daily and massage the area around the nail.
• Opt for acetone-free nail polish removers (which are gentler on the periungual hydrolipidic film).
• If a nail has recently broken, file the nail plate rather than cutting it, filing in one direction only (not back and forth) to prevent fraying.
• Take breaks between nail polish applications to let your nails breathe (at least 1 to 2 weeks).
• Eat a varied diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and fatty acids. Vitamin B8 (biotin) supplementation may be discussed with a healthcare professional in cases of severe brittleness, as its effectiveness has been demonstrated primarily in cases of deficiency.
• If brittleness persists or if there is a change in color or thickness, consult a dermatologist to investigate an underlying cause (fungal infection, systemic disease, deficiency, medications).

What are the signs of a nail infection?

Signs suggestive of an infection of the nail or the surrounding area include:

• Redness, swelling, and warmth of the nail fold (suggestive of a whitlow).
• Throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by a purulent discharge.
• Change in nail color (yellowish, greenish, blackish, whitish).
• Thickening, brittleness, or detachment of the nail plate (suggestive of onychomycosis).
• Fever accompanied by severe pain (medical emergency, suspected complication).

Any persistent or painful condition should prompt a visit to a doctor or dermatologist. For toenails, a podiatrist is also a recommended specialist. Systemic antibiotics and antifungals are available by prescription. A fungal culture may be ordered to confirm onychomycosis and guide treatment.

What is the best way to trim your nails?

For safe nail trimming:

• Cut your toenails in a straight line, without rounding the corners or cutting them too short, to minimize the risk of ingrown toenails.
• For fingernails, the shape is a matter of personal preference (rounded or square), as long as the edges are smooth.
• Use a clean, disinfected nail clipper or scissors.
• Finish with a fine-grit nail file, filing in one direction only, to smooth the edge.
• Do not cut the cuticles: gently pushing them back with a wooden stick after a warm bath is sufficient.
• Trimming is easier after a shower or bath, when the nail is slightly softened.

How can you strengthen your nails naturally?

For stronger nails:

• A varied diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and fatty acids (fatty fish, nuts, seeds, leafy greens).
• Moisturize your cuticles and nails daily with a plant-based oil (jojoba, sweet almond, castor).
• Physical protection: wear gloves for housework and manual labor.
• Avoid repeated microtrauma (don’t bite your nails or use them as tools).
• Limit the use of “hard” nail polishes that dry very quickly and acetone-based nail polish removers.
• If a deficiency is suspected (fatigue, paleness, persistent nail abnormalities), a medical consultation and blood tests can help assess iron, vitamin, and mineral levels.

What are the benefits of regular manicures?

A regular manicure (at home or at a salon):

• Keeps nails clean, neatly trimmed, and well-groomed.
• Minimizes minor injuries (ragged edges, overgrown nails).
• Often includes moisturizing treatment for the hands and cuticles, which promotes skin comfort.
• Allows for early detection of unusual changes (spots, ridges, discoloration).

At a salon, make sure hygiene rules are followed (single-use or sterilized equipment, disinfected bowls) to minimize the risk of infection. Space out semi-permanent polish or nail extension applications to preserve the health of your nails.

How to Choose the Right Nail Polish?

To choose a more skin-friendly nail polish:

• Opt for 3-free, 5-free, or 10-free formulas, which are free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), camphor, and formaldehyde resin, depending on the version.
• Apply a protective base coat before the colored polish.
• Finish with a top coat to make the polish last longer.
• Use an acetone-free nail polish remover to protect the cuticle area.
• Take regular breaks between applications to let the nails breathe.
• For semi-permanent polish: limit extended wear and have a professional remove it to avoid tearing off the surface layers of the nail plate.

What mistakes should you avoid when caring for your nails?

Several common mistakes can weaken your nails and the surrounding area:

• Using unsterilized tools or sharing them.
• Cutting or pulling back the cuticles.
• Filing in all directions (which causes fraying).
• Applying multiple coats of colored nail polish without breaks or a protective base coat.
• Using your nails as tools (to open, scrape, or tear).
• Biting your nails or picking at the cuticles.
• Forgetting to moisturize after washing your hands.
• Trying to self-treat a suspected infection with unsuitable products instead of seeing a doctor.

How can you treat yellowed nails?

Yellowed nails can result from several causes: prolonged use of colored nail polish without a protective base coat (reversible cosmetic yellowing), smoking, certain medications, and, most commonly, onychomycosis (a fungal nail infection). What to do:

• Take an extended break from nail polish and apply moisturizing treatments.
• Always use a protective base coat under colored nail polish.
• Avoid lemon-based home remedies (furocoumarins have a drying and photosensitizing effect) applied undiluted to the nails or fingers; baking soda alone is gentle but not very effective over time.
• If yellowing persists after taking a break from nail polish or is accompanied by thickening, brittleness, or lifting, consult a healthcare provider to rule out onychomycosis, which may require a fungal culture and prescription antifungal treatment.

How can you relieve an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail (often on the big toe) occurs when the side of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. For early-stage cases on healthy skin:

• Take a lukewarm foot bath (warm, not hot water) with a little baking soda or Epsom salts for 10 to 15 minutes, 1 to 2 times a day.
• Dry thoroughly; apply an antiseptic if there is a small break in the skin.
• Do not cut the nail shorter; let it grow straight.
• Wear properly fitting shoes (avoid pressure on the ball of the foot).

If pain worsens, or if there is redness, swelling, discharge, or recurrence, consult a doctor or podiatrist for appropriate treatment (debridement techniques, orthonyxia). For people with diabetes, those at risk for vascular complications, or those who are immunocompromised, any suspicion of an ingrown toenail warrants a prompt medical consultation; do not attempt invasive self-treatment.

What are the benefits of castor oil for nails?

Castor oil, rich in ricinoleic acid and fatty acids, is valued as a nourishing treatment for nails and cuticles. When applied regularly in the evening with a gentle massage around the nail, it has an emollient effect and helps keep the skin around the nail comfortable. It is a cosmetic supplement: it does not “repair” a nail that is already weakened but can help maintain the health of the surrounding skin over the long term. Precautions: For those with sensitive skin, test on the inner elbow 24 to 48 hours before regular use.

How can you prevent ridges on your nails?

Mild longitudinal ridges are common and often accompany the natural aging of the nail; they are generally nothing to worry about. Here are a few tips to minimize their appearance:

• Regularly moisturize your cuticles.
• Occasional light buffing (using a very fine-grit buffer), without overdoing it.
• A varied and balanced diet.
• Mechanical protection of the nails (gloves for strenuous tasks).

However, pronounced transverse ridges (Beau’s lines), a sudden change in the appearance of the nails, or pigmented ridges should prompt a visit to a doctor or dermatologist, as they may indicate a health issue (illness, medication, trauma) or require further investigation.

Why are my nails splitting, and what can I do about it?

Nail splitting (onychoschizia) can result from:

• Repeated exposure to water and detergents (cooking, housework).
• Prolonged use of acetone-based nail polish removers or very long-lasting nail polish.
• Repeated microtrauma.
• Nutritional deficiencies (iron, biotin, zinc, protein).
• More rarely, dermatological or systemic conditions (nail psoriasis, thyroid disorders).

Recommended actions: wear gloves for wet tasks, space out nail polish applications, moisturize daily, and monitor your diet. In cases of chronic splitting, associated changes (thickening, brittleness, discoloration, pain), or complications, a medical evaluation can help identify an underlying cause and guide treatment.