Contents:
- Medical Video: Which is Worse: Gel or Acrylic Manicures?
- Overview of nails
- Which is better, lengthening nails or cutting nails regularly?
- So, how often do you cut your nails?
- Tips for having strong and healthy nails
Medical Video: Which is Worse: Gel or Acrylic Manicures?
Most people, especially Eve, choose to extend their nails to beautify themselves. On the other hand, there are also many people who are diligent in cutting their nails so that the appearance of their nails looks always short and neat to the eye. When viewed from the medical side, which one is better: let the nails grow taut and long or just cut it so that it is always short?
Overview of nails
Nails are made of a protein layer called keratin. New nail cells continue to grow from the matrix pocket below the cuticle. These nail cells are then pushed out towards the fingertips, eventually thickening and hardening into nails that you can see right now. Nails grow on average by about 0.1 millimeters per day. In order to be able to fill the entire surface of the finger, the nail takes about six months to grow.
The speed of nail growth is generally influenced by blood flow to the nail matrix and from food nutrition. In addition, the season is also believed to be able to affect nail growth. Some studies show nails grow faster in summer than in winter. The use of drugs, age, to certain diseases can also affect the rate of growth.
Which is better, lengthening nails or cutting nails regularly?
Many people let their nails grow long. Either because you want to beautify it with colorful nail polish, or ahem, it's just lazy to cut your nails diligently.
However, there are some risks that you need to know from the habit of lengthening nails. Just say the nails that become vulnerable are fragile and broken. When broken, the next nail growth can be hampered and even grow inward, causing cantengan. Nails that are too long can also cause you trouble during normal activities, for example when you have to type or grip something. This can cause the fingers muscles to tighten for a long time. Not to mention the risk of scratching yourself or others when your nails are left too long.
Moreover, not many realize that nails are one of the favorite nests for bacteria. Long nails store more bacteria in them which can cause various diseases. It does not rule out the possibility that the fungus can also reside behind the "shade" of your long nails, and cause nail fungal infections.
Routinely cutting nails to keep them short can avoid you from all the potential problems. However, not too short when cutting nails. Short-cut nails can actually grow unevenly, inwardly, and result in cantengan.
Too often cutting your nails can also cause your nails to break quickly. When cut, the nails will experience considerable pressure and friction. If you cut your nails too often, the nails will constantly get stressed. Nails also become more fragile and easily broken.
So, how often do you cut your nails?
However, the benefits of cutting the nails to keep them short outweigh the risk of lengthening nails. Cutting nails is the wisest way to maintain cleanliness and health.
What needs to be considered is the frequency of cutting the nails. Ideally, you should regularly cut your nails every two weeks. For children, you should cut your nails once a week.
Also pay attention to how to cut the nails correctly. For your fingers, make sure you use small rounded nail clippers. Small nail scissors can also be used for small toes. For toenails, especially the big toe, use a larger nail cutter.
When cutting nails, don't pinch your nails on one occasion. Cut several times from one end, walking to the center to the other end. Cut nails in one direction following the original curve. See how your cuticle looks. Do not cut straight because it can make your nails bend and eventually damage your nails.
Leave a little white part of the nail at the end, ideally around 1-2 mm. Do not cut or remove the cuticle (the white layer at the base of the nail). To smooth the tip of the nail, you can end the session to cut your nails by rubbing the buffer.
Tips for having strong and healthy nails
Short nails are not the main thing you need to be important. The most important thing is how you keep your nails healthy, strong and avoid infection. The following tips can you apply:
- Keep your nails clean and dry.
- Avoid nail biting habits.
- Apply moisturizer to the nails and cuticles every day.
- Cut nails regularly and in one direction.
- Avoid nail polish removers that contain acetone or formalin
- Eat foods that are balanced nutrition and take vitamins that contain biotin.
