7 How to cut the correct nails for clean and healthy

Cutting nails does look trivial. It is so trivial that many do not realize that the way they have been doing so far has turned out to be wrong. As a result, the nails become infected or become infected with fungus. Get to know how to do the following nail clippers.

Benefits of cutting nails regularly

Some people may want to let their nails grow long, either because they want to improve their appearance or are lazy to cut nails. Even though there are several risks that you need to know from the habit of lengthening your nails.

For example, long nails can brittle and break more easily. If it is broken, the nail growth will be stunted and there is a risk of growing into the skin tissue, or what is commonly referred to as a fern.

In addition, nails that are too long can also make it difficult for you to do normal activities, for example when typing or grasping something. This can cause the finger muscles to tighten.

What's more, long nails are a favorite nest for bacteria. The reason is, long nails store more bacteria in them which can cause various nail diseases, such as bacterial or fungal infections.

That is why, regularly cutting your nails to keep them short helps prevent these nail problems. However, you don't need to cut them too short, as this can cause uneven growth and end up in the harden.

How many times do you have to cut your nails?

Routine nail cutting is good, but too often can cause the nails to break down quickly. When the nails are clipped, the nails will experience quite hard pressure and friction.

If you do this too often, your nails will continue to get stressed and become more brittle and break easily.

What needs to be considered is the frequency of cutting the nails. Ideally, you should cut your nails every two weeks. For children, it's best to trim the nails once a week considering their faster growth.

How to cut nails properly

As a way of treating nails, cutting nails should not be done carelessly. Instead of getting nails free from disease, clipping the wrong nails can actually trigger ingrown nails.

So that this doesn't happen to you, there are a few steps you can follow to cut your nails properly.

1. Choose nail clippers as needed

Some experts actually recommend having two different nail clippers, one for the fingers and the other for the toes.

You see, toenails are generally wider and thicker, so a larger nail clipping tool is needed. In addition, this also reduces the possibility of transferring bacteria or fungi from the fingernails to the feet or vice versa.

This method also saves you the hassle of trimming thick toenails with small tools. That way, your toenails and hands won't break easily when cut.

2. Cut the nails in a straight direction

For those of you who are accustomed to cutting nails from end to end, following the curvature of the nails, you should change this habit. This is because arches that are too deep at the tip of the nail are more prone to triggering a hook.

Therefore, clip the nails straight, so that the cut at the tip of the nail looks like a square, not an oval. Also avoid cutting the sides of the nails to form an arch.

You also don't have to worry about feeling pain when your nails are cut because nails are made of hardened dead cells. That way, no nerve tissue is formed in it, so it doesn't cause pain.

3. Avoid cutting too short

One of the most common causes of anxiousness is cutting the nails too short. Nails that are too short can press inward and grow into the skin.

It would be good to leave a little white part of the nail 1 - 2 millimeters in length to avoid hooks and infection.

4. Do not cut nail cuticles

The cuticle of the nail is a layer of dead white skin that surrounds the sides of the nail. At the time of doing manicure and pedicure At the salon, the therapist may also trim your cuticles to make them look long and slim.

Generally, cuticles are removed by first soaking the nails in a basin of warm water. This is so that the cuticle of the nail loosens up and makes it easier to cut.

Even so, some dermatologists agree that the cuticles don't really need to be removed. Trimming the cuticles of the nails can actually increase the risk of health problems, such as a toenail fungus infection that can cause ferns.

If the cuticle of the nail is removed, the nail is more susceptible to infection because this tiny skin acts as a protector of the nail from germs or bacteria that enter the skin. Each nail begins to grow from a small pocket under the nail (nail matrix), the cuticle that protects it from infection.

In addition, trimming the cuticles can inhibit nail growth, leading to wrinkles, freckles, or white lines on the nails.

Tips for caring for nail cuticles

Although it's best to leave it alone, dry and peeling cuticles can trigger pain and spoil your appearance. There are several things you can do to treat cuticles when cutting nails as follows.

Soak your nails in warm water.
Apply a special moisturizer for cuticles and nails.
Keep hands away from mouth.
Limit activities that dry out the cuticles, such as washing dishes.

5. Do it before bathing

Wet nails are easier to cut because the surface is softer. However, this actually risks causing the nails to bend, tear prone, and are not smooth after being cut.

Therefore, nail clippers are better done before bathing, aka in dry conditions. Dry nails tend to be stronger and less likely to cause scars after cutting.

If you have thick nails, try soaking them first so they are softer and easier to cut.

6. File your nails

After trimming your nails, you can continue this routine by filing or smoothing the edges of your nails to make them look more beautiful and healthier. This step turns out to be quite important because the tip of the nail will not easily tear the skin around it as the nail grows.

You can file your nails by moving in one direction, namely from base to tip in a straight and relaxed manner. Avoid grinding the edges of the nails back and forth or applying too much pressure as this causes the nails to become thinner and peel off.

7. Clean the nail clippers

After trimming and smoothing the edges of your nails, don't forget to clean the nail clippers. This needs to be done both before and is appropriate for use.

Nail clippers can be a breeding ground for bacteria and nail fungus from foot debris that sticks to every nail cut. Bacteria and fungus can stay on nail clippers for as little as a month.

If you cut your nails, the fungus and bacteria that stick to your nails will transfer and stick to the nail clippers. This spread can occur when the nail clippers are used by someone else without cleaning them.

So that the transfer of bacteria and fungi does not stick to the nail clippers, there are several ways to clean nail clippers that you can do as follows.

Clean with alcohol and water in a ratio (1:10)
Brush nail clippers with an unused toothbrush
Dry the nail clippers with a dry cloth or paper towel

Cleaning nail clippers includes steps to reduce the risk and prevent the spread of germs that cause nail infections or paronychia.

How about cutting a nail infected with fungus?

If your nails have been infected with fungus and are confused about what to do when you want to cut them, the methods below may make it easier for you.

Incorrectly trimming infected nails or incorrect nail fungus medication can cause the nails to fall off and worsen the infection.

Soak nails for 20-30 minutes with warm water.
Use special nail clippers, especially when the nails have thickened.
Sterilize the nail clippers with alcohol or bleach to prevent infection.

If you are worried that your nail fungus infection will get worse, consult a dermatologist. Ask your doctor for advice on how to cut nails that are safe for your condition.