How to Take Care of Your Hands and Nails

• Gather up all of the things you need and place them near the sink, just in case you spill something. 
• Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Remove all the leftover polish with this. If you don't have any nail polish on right now, please proceed on with the next step.
• Take the bowl of sudsy water and soak your fingers for 5 minutes.
• When you are done, take one of the washcloths (see Things You'll Need) and gently push back your cuticles.
• Get the nail cutters and shape your nails into a U-shape or a 'squoval'. Cut off any hangnails.
• Soak your nails in the lemon juice (Things You'll Need) for about 5 minutes. This cure will make your fingernails healthy.
• Apply the lotion onto your hands and then take the two washcloths and cover your hands with them for 7 minutes. They should feel soft and refreshed afterwards.
• Buff your nails or polish them.

SEE THIS WEBSITE

source: wikihow.com

Brittle nails

A lot of things can go wrong with nails. They can be brittle, pitted, discolored, flaky and ridged, among other common (and unpleasant) abnormalities. But brittle nails can be a natural part of the aging process, and they're often represented by dry, cracking or splitting nails. They may also grow slowly or simply seem weak and easily breakable.

Nail abnormalities may be caused by a relatively minor condition like brittle nail syndrome, which is what it sounds like: excessively brittle nails, often caused by a lack of moisture. They also could stem from a lack of iron or zinc [source: University of Maryland Medical Center]. But nail problems may also be representative of something more severe, such as hepatitis, jaundice, lupus or heart disease. When in doubt, look for basic causes first, such as a fungal infection, a reaction to nail polish or bruising from an impact.

There's ongoing debate about whether brittle nails are caused predominantly by a lack of protein or moisture in the nails. Consequently, most treatments for brittle nails are concerned with one of these two factors. In this article, we'll look at five ways of boosting nail health and learn why a candle may be just what your troublesome fingernails need.

FAT LOSS

source:http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/nail-care

Cracked nails

They're unsightly, frustrating and occasionally painful but before you can take care of your cracked nails it's helpful to understand what is and isn't causing the problem. Approximately 20 percent of the population has brittle nails -- women and the elderly are particularly prone to the condition. Many people wrongly conclude that they need to increase their gelatin intake or that they should turn to iron supplements to prevent splitting. Truth be told, cracked nails usually result from an external problem: typically nail polish or nail polish remover, lots of swimming or too much time soaking hands in water.

Those are the issues, but the following are the fixes:

• Trim: Limit the damage by trimming back your nails. Make them short and round the sides with a file. Nails don't grow very fast -- no more than.12 inches (3 millimeters) each month -- so don't risk snagging them. The regrowth period for an entire nail can last three to six months.
• Moisturize: Dry nails lead to cracked nails. Apply a little moisturizer to your cuticles and nails each night to keep them supple but strong. A good moisturizer includes protein like keratin and collagen; occlusives such as petrolatum, mineral oil or lanolin; and humectants like urea or lactic acid.
• Avoid chemicals: Cleaning products or even some dishwashing liquids can make your nails dry and brittle. You can't leave your home and dishes dirty, but you can experiment with less harsh products and limit your exposure.
• Consider gloves: If you're often exposed to chemicals or if your hands are regularly wet, a pair of plastic or latex gloves can be a big help. Some people find plastic gloves uncomfortable, however. In that case, consider buying rubber gloves with a cotton lining.
• Limit remover: Using nail polish remover more than every two weeks can cause brittle nails. If you can't cut back on the nail polish remover, at least buy those that don't contain acetone.
• The vast majority of the time, cracked nails are a cosmetic issue. They rarely require a doctor's attention. Examine your daily routines for clues to what's creating the problem. Occasionally cracks occur when the nail is not too dry but instead too soft. Give them a good inspection and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Pretty soon you'll have healthy, strong and attractive nails again.

HERE

source:http://health.howstuffworks.com/