After the face, the hands are the part of the body that seems to attract the most attention. A person’s hands speak volumes about their personality and can also be great fun to decorate. Nail color and nail designs can be traced back to as early as 4000 BC in China. While common people used light shades of nail color, the royalty used black, red, gold and silver. There is also evidence to suggest that nail designs were used to decorate nails in ancient Egypt. Nail designs are a versatile way of decorating your finger and toe nails. They can be created to match your look and attire and add panache to it.

Thickened nails, brittle and ragged nails and nails with debris underneath them are some of the signs of nail fungus. You may also feel pain in your nails and notice a foul odor. If you suspect that you have nail fungus, then it is important to begin nail fungus treatment at the earliest. This will help control the infection and also stop it from spreading further. Your doctor will be able confirm if you require nail fungal treatment and will prescribe medication accordingly. This may include topical ointments and gels for application and prescription medication. It is important for you to continue applying or taking the medication that is prescribed for the recommended duration. Toenail fungal treatment usually takes longer than finger nail treatment.

There are several ways to make you nails thick and strong. While eating a healthy and balanced diet and adopting healthier nail care habits may take a few days to show results, there are also other ways to get immediate results. The way to get strong and thick nails is to use a combination of both.

Nails are made of protein known as keratin. Therefore, if your diet is lacking it is obvious that it will be seen in the shape, texture and color of your nail. It is important to eat healthy on a regular basis and not just once in a while. Grains, dairy products, fruits and vegetables should find a place in your daily meals. Experts also recommend that you don’t skip meals or diet as it affects the maintenance and health of your body. Also remember to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water to keep your body well hydrated.

Vitamin E helps your nails get strong and thick. Using a protective and nail strengthening nail polish, that contains vitamin E, is a great way to nourish your nails. When you are getting a manicure or pedicure at the salon opt for products with calcium, vitamins A, C and E. Products with aloe vera soothe the skin and nails, and help in the healing process.

Give yourself a finger massage, or better yet massage your scalp with your finger tips. This will stimulate both your finger tips and hence, your nail beds, and also your hair follicles. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your body. By increasing blood circulation to your finger tips you also increase the nourishment it receives. You could also massage your nails with olive oil or a vitamin enriched hand cream before going to bed at night.

After bad diet, harsh chemicals are your nail’s worst enemy. Chemicals can strip your nails of moisture, leaving them dry and brittle. If you want thicker and stronger nails you need to pay close attention to the chemicals that come in contact with your nails. Wear protective gloves when you are handling chemicals, washing dishes or working in the garden.

Your nails cannot feel pain but your nail beds do. Pain is the first indication that you aren’t caring for your nails and may be misusing them. Your nails aren’t tools that you can leverage to open or peel things. Consciously use the right tools for the job rather than resorting to strain your nails. Broken and chipped nails take long to recover and it is important that you file them as soon a possible. This will reduce the possibility of further damage to your nails.

If beauty treatments and their impact on the body interest you, you may like to enroll into ‘The Esani Institute’. The institute is a Paul Mitchell Partner School and offers a wide range of courses for students to study.

If your nails are free of nail polish they look great with white tips and a healthy pinkish color to the nail that covers the nail bed. The color of your nails can reflect the state of your health. Yellow nails indicate an underlying medical condition. It may also be caused due to the application of a dark color nail polish for long periods of time, without a protective base. With a bit of care and attention your nails can return to their original color.

The best way to get white nails tips is to get a French manicure. After all it is the most distinguishing sign of the French manicure. Your nails look well groomed and natural after you have enjoyed your manicure. And unlike applying nail polish that covers up your nails, the French manicure shows of the shape and color of your nails. Applying the paint to make your nail tips look white can be tricky and here are some tips if you are doing it by yourself at home.

• Apply the white tips only after the basecoat is well dried.
• Ensure that the nail brush has adequate and not excess white paint on it. Start painting the nail tip from the middle and take care to ensure that when you spread it to the sides you don’t touch your skin. If you do leave white smudges on your skin, clean it with a bit of cotton and nail polish remover before you begin painting the next nail.
• Apply the sheer nail polish only after the white nail tips have dried completely. Choose a color that matches the natural color of your nails. Once again ensure that you have just enough color on your brush to avoid dripping. Now paint the nail till the inner edge of the white tips. Once the nail polish is dry, reapply. Wait for ten minutes and apply the final top coat to cover the nail base and tips. Your French manicure is complete with white nail tips and all.
• You may also choose to use a white nail pencil instead of painting your nail white.
• You could also opt to fix or stick white nail tips on your nails. White nail tips are easily available in the market. All you need to do is clean your nails of nail polish and file them to the desired length and shape. Now apply a bit of nail glue to your nail tips and choose a white tip that is just the right size for it. Once the white tips are fixed on all your nails, file them with an emery board to get a smooth look and feel. Now apply a sheer nail varnish.

The Esani Institute is a Paul Mitchell Partner School. It aims to provide the aestheticians and stylists of tomorrow the edge of having both knowledge and hands on experience on the job. The institute offers several courses taught so as to suit the learning style of every student.