When it comes to the right way to treat your nails, there's a lot of conflicting advice. Should you only file in one direction? Is cutting cuticles the way to go? We asked Creative Nail Design co-founder, Jan Arnold, to separate fact from fiction.
Claim: Eat gelatine to grow strong, healthy nails.
Jan says: There is no scientific evidence of any benefit to nails from eating gelatine.
Claim: Never file back and forth on the nail.
Jan says: Filing back and forth is perfectly safe if you are using a fine grit file (240 or higher).
Claim: It's best to leave toenails square to prevent in-grown nails.
Jan says: Square corners create sharp spikes that are driven into the surrounding skin under the pressure of tight or pointed shoes. Always trim corners at a 45-degree angle and smooth nail into a "rounded square".
Claim: Remove enamel and all coatings from the nail periodically to "let them breathe".
Jan says: Nails are made up of dead keratin and don't need to breathe. Coatings — anything
from a thin base and top coat to a nail enhancement — protect nails from the elements and help to prevent them from becoming dry and brittle.
Claim: Acetone polish remover is bad for nails.
Jan says: Acetone-based removers are superior because they efficiently remove pigment from the nail, leaving no residue or stain. Non-acetone removers evaporate very slowly, leaving a gummy film behind.
Claim: Square-shaped nails are stronger than oval or almond shapes.
Jan says: Strength comes from the sidewalls of the nail. Always keep the sides parallel, where the pink meets the white, and then begin shaping near the extended edge.
Claim: It's okay to cut off calluses
Jan says: Smooth, do not remove calluses. Calluses protect the pressure points of the
feet — you need them. Use a gradual process of exfoliation to smooth and polish
callused and very dry areas of the foot.
Claim: Wear only pale enamel shades on short nails.
Jan says: Short nails can carry dark shades best because the darker colour helps to give the illusion of a beautiful, classic, well-groomed nail. A very short nail polished in a sand or neutral shade will blend into the fingertip and can look "fleshy" as opposed to glamorous.
Claim: Cutting cuticles makes nails look so clean and healthy.
Jan says: Over time, cutting cuticles will lead to thickened scar-like tissue. The more you cut them, the thicker they will become. Stop the vicious cycle by using an AHA cuticle remover to gradually micro-exfoliate the non-living tissue. If used daily, this will prevent dry skin build-up and deeply hydrate the skin to keep it tight, clean and healthy.
Claim: Skin that tans easily can't successfully wear purple nail enamel.
Jan says: All skin tones can wear all colours, if the correct hue of the colour is chosen. If you tan easily, this means you have a lot of yellow in your skin. Choose a lilac or purple with yellow in it, such as Rebel With A Cause. If you easily burn in the sun, you have "cool" or "blue-based" skin, so choose a purple without yellow in it, such as Jiggy.
