Healed, painted, polished
Hacking the computer keyboard all day long, texting, washing clothes, ironing, folding or puttering in the flowerbed for hours - countless times we dig our fingers over the course of a day. That stresses the nails. How good that they recover quickly, and besides, they are growing again.
By the way, non-smokers are faster than smokers (because of better circulation), faster in summer than in winter (because of the sun), slower with age, but faster than in the 1930s. Researchers from the University of North Carolina found out that our nails are about 25 percent faster than they were 80 years ago (a thumbnail grows on average 3.47 millimeters a month). This is, so the scientists, apparently on a healthier, more protein-rich diet. Proteins are a main component of nails and are found in fish, poultry, legumes and cheese. That's not all, what nails need.
Beautiful nails: colors for the fingers
Good in summer: varnishes with UV protection that are supposed to preserve color intensity and shine (eg from La Roche-Posay, Mac). In this summer are particularly nuances in eggplant, pink and lava gray - in the matte version (for example, by American Nails, Essie, Mavala, Misslyn). Tip: Using a special overcoat, you can give any finish a matte finish (eg, "Matte about you" by Essie).
Always nice: discreet nude tones in milk white, rose or beige (eg from Alessandro, LCN, Manhattan). And if you like it completely: polish nails to a high gloss or brush up lightening nail whiteners (eg from Douglas or KOH) - they will look brand new.
Nail care with Bio-Touch
Natural ingredients are trendy, green tea extract about or smoothing argan oil (eg in "Source" by Alessandro, "Naturally Clean" by Essie on www.maha-cosmetics.com). Some manufacturers even pay attention to proven eco-quality (eg "Neem Nagelöl" from Dr. Hauschka, "OGNX" from LCN, "Citrus hand and nail cream" from Weleda).
Whether organic or not: It is important that the nails are not forgotten when hand creams. And that nails that splinter easily, are particularly well maintained - whether with nail oil or cream, is a matter of taste. Nail polish and especially the remover always dry out the nails. Anyone who has constantly torn, brittle nails should therefore rather forego painting for a while or at least take regular breaks with intensive care.
Beautiful nails: Sophisticated in shape
A gentle curve of the nail - you can easily take care of it yourself. To do this, always file the (dry) nails rather than cut or snap. "Otherwise, the nail plate will be pressed and the individual layers will splinter apart," says Stefanie Kleber, Douglas Head Nails Trainer. In order to avoid splinters, do not go back and forth, but always file in one direction. Glass files are ideal (eg from Ducray, KOH, Wilkinson). The ultrafine abrasive particles cut the nails very gently.
For brittle nails - in addition to the short-term - also recommended: mineral files. When shortening, they release very thin silicon particles, which are stored in the nail and fill in gaps. Fart faster, however, with a roughly grained Profifeile (Grain number 100) - which is also normal for normal, solid nails. Practical: Files with beveled sides, which make it easier to work on the lateral nail fold (eg "Source Manicure File" by Alessandro).
The recipe to get healthy nails
"Important for healthy nails are zinc, vitamin A, B vitamins and biotin", says Professor Dr. med. Alina Fratila, Dermatologist and Head of the Jungbrunnen Clinic, Bonn. These substances are found in oatmeal and turkey (zinc), carrots and apricots (vitamin A), broccoli and spinach (B vitamins), eggs and soybeans (biotin). "Conversely, brittle nails can be an indication of iron deficiency," said the doctor. The depots can be filled with millet, legumes and poultry. "Iron tablets should not be swallowed on your own, but wait for the lab values," advises Professor Fratila. Safe and worth a try: tablets with the beauty vitamin biotin (eg Bio-H-tin, pharmacy). But they show effect only after two or three months.
Deficiencies often cause nail changes. But the famous white spots are not due to calcium or protein deficiency, but z. B. due to manicure. "The stains are a lack of fusion of nail plates with air retention, which appear milky white due to the altered light reflection," explains Professor Fratila.You should go to the doctor, if "cross straps" pull over the nails (indication for bacterial damage) or show streaky, dark pigmentations (in the worst case skin cancer).
Manicure at the professional - Hygiene rules in the nail salon
If you can not do it yourself, you can also go to a nail salon and get a professional manicure. Hygiene should be the top priority. Stefanie Kleber, head coach of Douglas, lists the "all clean" criteria:
- Are your hands being disinfected?
- Does the beautician disinfect her hands?
- Does she wear gloves? (In some Länder regulation)
- Are tools sterilized or will they end up in the stand after use?
- Are there fresh towels?
- Are the armrests washable?
- Is the room clean - hardly any dust, no bits and pieces lying around?
