Nail care and maintenance is the key to preserving your favorite summer nail designs. However, along with summer comes a lot of outdoor activities that could wreak havoc with your nail art. Fun summer adventures such as swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and even gardening can cause our nails to chip1, peel and even break.
In this article, find tips from expert nail care technicians on how to care for your summer nail designs. Use these tips to keep your nails looking sassy, shiny, and sexy all summer long!
Summer Nail Designs Care Tips
Protect your nails before you go swimming.
We all know that chlorine can totally destroy a good manicure. Anytime you plan to swim, you should apply an extra-strength top coat to help preserve your cuticles and nails from drying out. This top coat will also help prevent chlorine and water from weakening your nails.
If you are going out after the pool, be sure to throw some hand lotion, cuticle oil, and your nail polish on hand for any touch-ups after your shower.
Moisturize both your feet and feet every day.
Even though summer tends to be humid, your hands and feet may still become dry due to excessive sun exposure. This is especially true if you wear open-toed shoes or spend your days barefoot. Apply hand lotion as well as moisturizing foot lotion after showering and/or before bed. You also should moisturize your nails, cuticles, hands, and feet after washing your hands and swimming, as this helps replenish natural oils. Apply cuticle oil to the cuticles of both your hands and feet before bed.
Soak your hands and feet for 10 minutes at least two to three times daily.
Soak your hands and feet for at least 10 minutes several times a week, if not daily. Use a DIY nail soak with warm water and a few drops of either tea tree, argon, olive or coconut oil.
Protect your hands when using harsh chemicals or during manual labor.
Wear rubber gloves while using any chemicals or harsh cleansers to protect your summer nail designs. Wear gloves while cleaning, doing laundry, gardening, washing dishes, and so on to keep your nails from chipping or breaking.
Avoid spending too much time in the sun
Everyone knows by now that ultraviolet light is extremely damaging to our skin and hair. As well, it is equally damaging to our nails. Use sunscreen on your hands and feet before you go outside to prevent your manicure from fading and drying out your nail beds. Additionally, apply a coat of non-yellowing topcoat for extra protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. Should you notice that your nails are starting to form ridges, it is time to get out of the sun and apply cuticle oil and lotion to your hands and feet.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Our skin health is directly correlated to our overall health. Factors such as aging, poor health, dehydration, and poor diet and nutrition can cause our nails to weaken, break and even prevent nail growth. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Your internal organs need water to function, but your hair, skin, and nails also need to be hydrated.
As well, a proper diet is essential for healthy nails. Make sure to eat a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Include lots of fruit, cheese, yogurt, seafood, fish, and meat in your diet. Those on a plant-based, vegan or vegetarian diet need to include a lot of greens, tofu, and fruit.
Give your nails a break every few weeks
To prevent fungal and other infections, giving your nails a break every few weeks is imperative. Take a break from your normal mani/pedi routine and allow your nails to breathe. Our nails are porous and require time to air out. Take a short break from the polish, top coat, nail polish remover, and other harsh chemicals to give your nails a break
Now that you know how to care for and protect your nails during the summer, check out some of this year’s hottest summer nail designs!
