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Summer is just around the corner. Don’t even think about wearing those sexy sandals without properly groomed toenails. If you are baring them, then they should be wearing a buff and a shine. So let’s give them proper attention to make them looking feminine and flirty.

Home Pedicures Tips on Grooming

Here are some quick tips for home pedicures to make even the dullest toenails look hot and professional!

It doesn’t take long if you learn the basic routine. Fallow these steps for pretty feet:

Step 1

Prepare your toenails. Before beginning a home pedicure, remove your old nail polish with polish remover using a cotton ball or swab. Swipe the nails’ edges thoroughly to ensure completely removing the polish.

Step 2

Use clean fingernail or toenail clippers to trim your nails straight across so you can use fingernails to shape your toenails from the outside in and remove any sharp edges. A complete nail care kit has a buffer to smooth out the nail.

Step 3

Soak your toes in warm water with a sea salt or organic soap (for about 5-10 minutes) to clean your nails and soften up your cuticles.

Step 4

Additional, soften your cuticles with cream or lotion. Then, when gently pushing back your overgrown cuticles, use a wood stick to loosen them and press gently back so they let the full nail show. Sally Hansen Problem Cuticle Remover makes it easy.

Step 5

Apply organic food cream and give your feet a pleasant, moisturizing massage.

Step 6

Paint your toenails. Generally applying two coats of polish is good idea, allowing them to dry between coats and keep your toes separated.

Dermatologists' Top Tips for Beautiful Nails

Having beautiful nails is less a matter of luck and more a matter of caring for them correctly. Fortunately, there are simple steps people can take to properly care for their nails.

Manicure and Pedicure Safety

“Nails need to be moisturized, especially after removing nail polish, so be sure to apply a cream regularly,” said board-certified dermatologist Phoebe Rich, MD, FAAD, clinical adjunct professor of dermatology at Oregon Health Science University, Portland. “Always protect your cuticles. Never cut or forcefully push back your cuticles as doing so could lead to an infection. If you must push them back, only do so gently after a shower or bath.”

Dr. Rich shares more top manicure and pedicure tips:

1. While most nail salons follow strict cleanliness and disinfection guidelines, look for the following when visiting a salon:

• Does your nail technician have the necessary experience and/or license, if required?

• Are the stations clean? 

• Does the nail technician wash her hands between clients? 

• Are there dirty tools lying around? 

• In addition, do not hesitate to ask how they clean their tools.

2. Shave your lower legs after getting a pedicure, not before. That means not shaving your lower legs for at least 24 hours before you get a pedicure. If you nick yourself while shaving, a pedicure could put you at risk for an infection.

3. If you get frequent manicures and pedicures, consider purchasing your own tools to be used at the salon.

4. In addition, check that the pedicure footbaths and filters are thoroughly disinfected before you use them. If they are improperly cleaned, they can harbor bacteria and fungus. If the salon does not appear clean, then choose another one.

5. If you want to wear a bright red or orange polish, prevent discoloration by applying an extra layer of base coat. If your nails become yellowed and discolored from the polish, your nails should return to normal color over several weeks if the same color is not reapplied.

6. While some people beg to differ, there is no scientific evidence that immersing nails in gelatin makes them stronger. Polishes that contain strengthening ingredients increase nail stiffness, which may make nails break more frequently.

7. Do not wear artificial nails to cover up nail problems as they may make them worse. Artificial nails are not recommended for people who are prone to fungal infections or have brittle nails. For people with healthy nails, artificial nails can be fine as long as they are not worn continuously.

“If you wear artificial nails, know what products are used as the substances can cause an allergic reaction in some people,” said Dr. Rich. “If you develop a rash or other reaction, this information will be important to your doctor. If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your nails, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.”

Healthy nails

Nobody likes what a fungus infection does to finger- and toenails. Cracked, discolored and thickened nails look unhealthy and unpleasant, so you keep them out of sight. And unless it’s treated, nail fungus just keeps getting worse.

What Causes Nail Fungus?

Nail fungal infections are transmitted through direct contact or by indirect contact with exfoliated skin, nails and fungal debris. Unfortunately, infected particles can be present in a variety of places, including clothing, towels, nail files and shower floors.

Solution. Finally! Something that works!

Now you can truly liberate your nails with Podiazole antifungal and whitening drops by Omiera Labs. The natural formula of powerful ingredients penetrates deep to the nail's protective barrier to get to the source and kill the infection. Even as the healthy nail grows back in, Podiazole uses a whitener to improve the nail's appearance. Regrowth of healthy nails takes as little as six months for fingernail infections and up to twelve months for toenails. 

Extra-strength Podiazole is a potent adversary for fungus infections, eliminating fungus and its symptoms faster than other remedies available. Using double the amount of proven natural ingredients, Podiazole drops restore nails to look and feel healthy and attractive.

Photo by courtesy of Omiera Labs; freedigitalphoto.net