Nails are a green issue. Healthy nails do tell everything. Yet for women, IDK how you do it. I mean heels, manicure-pedicure, and blow-drying are every girl’s favorite. Chip-free nails may be a big thing in the nail world, but fingernails show your overall health. Even though keratin protein supports nail growth, your fingernails should have a smooth and hard texture, uniform color, and be free from dents and grooves for steady nail health.
Nail growth has a lot to do with diet and nutrition. Grooming techniques also play their role in making nails grow faster. In the age of cruelty-free beauty products and eco-friendly ingredients, the focus is on building health from within. Here are some environment-friendly habits to get healthy and well-nourished nails.
1. Take Biotin For Nail Growth
In the corner of your mind, you could think of putting fancy gel nail polish colors for your evening date. Have you considered rethinking your dietary habits to get long and healthy nails?
Biotin is a type of vitamin B that converts food into energy to boost hair and nail growth. Biotin has several natural sources such as cooked eggs, soy, whole grains, nuts, beans, bananas, mushrooms, sardines to include in your diet. According to scientists, taking 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily can help improve nail strength in a few weeks. Consume biotin as a natural diet or as a supplement to increase your chances of sporting bigger nails.
2. Skip Glue-on Nails And Lethal Polishes
Stick-on nail dressings can cause adverse reactions by producing local side effects and infection risks. Frequent use of synthetic nails is hazardous for nail growth as it can weaken natural nails and break them off. Green your nail routine by avoiding nail polishes that have harmful chemicals and color additives. While choosing your non-toxic nail polish, find out their 3-free status (no formaldehyde, no toluene, no dibutyl phthalate). Avoid using nail lacquers kept in inadequately ventilated areas.
Use chemical-free nail polish and remover. This will give your nails a healthy high and save our planet too. Many nail polish brands are coming out with acetone-free nail paint removers with nourishing essential oils to increase nail growth. Consider water-based formulations like Acquarella that are toxin-free.
3. Wear Protective Gloves
Protecting your recently done-up manicure is a challenge. Cooking and cleaning household chores, washing your pet, cleaning your kids, or attending to your home nursery can chip off your nail paint and expose your manicured nails.
Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from humidity and moisture that could weaken your nails. You can continue wearing the gloves after you have finished your kitchen or gardening work. Use professional tools for your daily chores to limit your nails’ exposure to getting scratched or chipped.
4. Groom Your Nails Well
Nail grooming may seem just a normal manicure to most of you. Grooming your nails goes deep down to strengthening your nail cuticles for unbroken growth and minimum cracks.
Cold and dry weather can mess with your nails. Apply cuticle oil to your nails and cuticles daily to avoid nail splitting, peeling, and breakage. This will not only make your nails and hands look healthier, but your nail polish will also last longer. Make sure your nails are dry enough and clean to prevent bacteria growth. Trim your nails using clippers or manicure scissors and round your nail tips. Moisturize your nails with a lotion and rub it into your cuticles. Avoid nail-biting to prevent hidden bacteria in your nails from entering your mouth.
5. Try Waterless Manicures
A manicure minus the water differs from a typical manicure. You don’t need to soak your hands in water during your manicure. A waterless manicure is much more sterile and doesn’t cause the nails to expand and shrink or chip off the nail polish prematurely. There is no water absorption either to drain your nail cuticles of their oil.
Apart from the tangible benefits, a water-free manicure saves water and minimizes infection risk without subjecting your nails to damage.
6. Put Emphasis On Cleanliness
While your nail salon may look nice and polished, it may not practice cleanliness to the last detail. Request your nail salon staff for single-use nail files and buffers. Ask your nail technician to open disposable nail tools in front of you.
In case your salon keeps non-disposable nail tools, get them sterilized and disinfected. Most professional salons have autoclave sterilizers to kill germs and bacteria. Cleanliness is not only crucial for your safety but also your nail technicians.
7. Visit A Morally Right Nail Salon To Get Honest Care
You might have an upcoming weekend salon visit to get longer and well-done up fingernails. But most nail varnishes use the worst chemicals that can harm our soil, rivers, and health. Furthermore, nail salon workers laboring day in and day out throws light on health abuse and exploitation.
Laws and regulations safeguarding nail salon staff are vague. The social media campaign against slavery in salons empowers customers to spot slavery signs in nail salons and report them. More salons are taking forward this movement, which is praiseworthy and will encourage environment-friendly practices.
Final Thoughts
Similar to sustainable fabrics and organic foodstuffs, nail care is getting the ‘environmentally safe’ tag. Before visiting a nail salon, check in advance about the nail products they use. Carry your natural and sustainable nail products to remain on the safe side. Reach out for long-lasting shiny nail colors, but also look for harsh ingredients in the label. Practicing regular nail hygiene will go a long way to achieve healthy nails in an eco-friendly way.
Author bio: Emma Wilson is a content specialist with a focus on health and wellness.
