The state of health of the nails is often indicated by their color. Dull plates with a plaque of yellowing can indicate certain health problems. But most often the nails of smokers and those who continuously use decorative varnishes without a special backing have an unattractive look. In any case, owners of yellowed nails want to whiten them. We talked to manicurists and beauticians to find out the most effective ways to.
Causes of the changes in the color of the nails
Unpleasant shade of nail plates appears under the influence of external factors, as well as due to some internal diseases:
Medication use. Against the background of prolonged use of tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, or drugs containing arsenic components, nail plates may become yellowish.
Smoking. Nicotine and harmful tars that systematically smoke cigarettes accumulate in the body. Because of this, yellowing appears not only on the nails, but also on the skin.
The impact of chemicals. Nails can turn yellow if there is a habit of working with household chemicals without gloves. This also includes poor-quality nail polish or acetone to remove colored coatings. The longer the contact, the more yellow the nails.
Contact with natural pigments.The juices of beets, carrots, blackcurrants, mushrooms literally seep into the nail plate. It takes on a muddy tint as a result.
Fungal diseases. With this type of pathology, the nails not only turn yellow, but they also have spots, flaking, thickening or thinning. Most often, when affected by fungus, nail plates become dull and brittle. And they can also give off an unpleasant odor.
Working in the ground. When working in the garden without protective gloves, the nail plate gets microcracks, in which dirt and plant sap penetrate. Even if you then wash your hands very carefully, the nails still remain with a brownish or greenish tint.
Psoriasis of the nails/. In this pathology, the nail plates turn yellow, become stained, dull, break, and thicken around the edge. There are pitting on them and they resemble a thimble.
Dystrophic onychia. Represents trophic changes in the nail matrix. Not only do the nails turn yellow, but they also have spots, streaks, and single pits. Such pathology develops against the background of other serious diseases (dysentery, scarlet fever).
Diseases of internal organs. The cause of the yellowing of the nails on the hands can be diseases of the nervous system: poliomyelitis, spinal dryness, multiple sclerosis. Also such a pathological condition can be provoked by endocrine diseases or general intoxication of the body.
Self-experiment with nail whitening can only be done in cases where you know the exact cause of yellowing and you are sure that you do not suffer from any serious illness. Otherwise, you need to seek medical attention and undergo a comprehensive examination.
8 popular ways of whitening
To improve the condition of nail plates, to return them whiteness and pinkish shade, it’s enough to use quite accessible products and means that are available in almost every home.
Soap Baths
Homemade soap bath is very easy to prepare. Pour a small basin of hot water (just enough to hold your hands) and dip a small bar of baby soap in it. As the nail plate steams slightly and the soap becomes softer, scrape each finger over it so that the soap gets under the nails. Wait 10 minutes, brush your nails well and rinse them with running water.
You can also prepare a soap bath if you dissolve your favorite shower gel or soap in liquid form in the water. Dip your hands into this solution for 20 minutes. This is a great way to remove any dirt from the nail plates, as well as prepare the cuticle for manicure.
Baking soda
Some people practice using baking soda to whiten their teeth. Dentists insist that it is not the most useful method, because baking soda is an abrasive agent and can scratch enamel. As a result, the teeth may become particularly sensitive. But the nail plates are not damaged by this abrasive. So take an old toothbrush, moisten it, pour a small amount of baking soda on it and go over the nails with it.
But for those who have burrs, this procedure may not be safe. You can easily damage the skin. In this case, they are perfectly suited to baking soda baths. In a small bowl of water you need to dissolve 12 g of baking soda. Hands should be kept in such a bath for 15 minutes. It is useful to do such treatments once every 7 days. After this manipulation, you will get well-cleaned and stronger nails.
Lemon Juice
The use of lemon juice is considered the easiest way to whiten nails. To do this, squeeze some of the juice onto a cotton pad and wipe your nails with it. Perform this treatment regularly. You can also cut off a part of a lemon and immerse your fingers in its pulp for 2-3 minutes. A good option for whitening and care is to apply olive oil with lemon juice to the nails.
Tea tree oil
According to studies, tea tree oil can effectively stop the growth of common strains of nail fungus. If the color of the nails has changed not for the better against a fungal infection, then take a carrier oil (olive, coconut, jojoba) and apply the products to the affected nails.
Peroxide
It has been proven, that hydrogen peroxide combined with baking soda effectively whitens enamel. It is also great for whitening nails, especially if its color has been ruined by lacquer pigment seeping deep into the nail. Take 15 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 40 g of baking soda. Apply the resulting mixture to the nail plate. Rub lightly and rinse off after 2-3 minutes.
Vitamin E
According to the study,The application of vitamin E to the nail plates and the nail skin noticeably improves the appearance of the nails and reduces the appearance of yellowing. Vitamin E promotes the growth of new, healthy nails. It can be used topically or applied internally.
Toothpaste
Use a snow white whitening toothpaste (gel pastes with flecks are worse). Apply to an old toothbrush that is no longer in use. Clean your nails for 2-3 minutes. Next wash your hands well with soap and water.
Sea salt
Pour warm water into a small basin, sprinkle 1 tsp. Spoon on a tablespoon of sea salt and make sure it dissolves completely. Also add 2-3 drops of essential oil (lemon, orange, almond). Soak your fingers in the solution for 5-7 minutes. Such manipulations very well clean the nail plates and prepare the cuticle for manicure.
An effective prophylactic against yellowing nails
If you do not wish to fight yellowing, but rather want to prevent it, you should useThe following preventive measures:
Always disinfect tools thoroughly when performing manicure. If the cuticle or the skin around the nail bed is accidentally damaged, treat it with hydrogen peroxide.
Use special creams and wellness baths to prevent fungal lesions.
Give your nail plates a break from decorative nail polishes. This allows them to breathe and regenerate.
Stop smoking. This habit is detrimental not only to the nail plates, but also to your health in general.
Train yourself to work with gloves on the vegetable garden, during contact with household chemicals, and during cooking, if you use vegetables or berries that can stain your nails.
Changing the color of nail plates is a common phenomenon. There are many handy tools that can solve this problem. But sometimes yellow nails are a signal of serious health problems. Such manifestations can not be ignored and it is always useful to find out the root cause.
