Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing to cut
• Part 2 of 3: Cutting nails
• Part 3 of 3: Filing nails
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

It's important to keep your fingernails and toenails short. If they grow too long and too wild, they can form hooks and become sharp and dangerous. You don't have to cut too much off - You just want to tidy your nails every few weeks to make sure they grow healthily. Read on for tips and techniques you can use to keep your nails in check.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing to cut

1. Wash your hands and feet. Soak your nails for a few minutes before cutting them - this will make the nails softer and easier to cut. If your nails are less brittle, they are also less likely to split. Dry your hands and feet after you wash them. You can trim your nails while they are wet, but you have more control over the clipping when everything is dry.
   • This step is especially important for toenails. Toenails are often thicker and harder than fingernails, especially on your big toe.
2. Choose the tool you will use to cut. You can use nail clippers or nail scissors. The choice is primarily a matter of preference. Consider the pros and cons of each option:
   • Nail clippers are cheap, simple and widely available. They cut your nails along a contoured curved edge - which can be very useful if the cutter is the same size as your nails, but frustrating if the curvature is too big or too small. Toenail clippers are often more powerful and have a straighter cutting edge to better cope with thicker nails and reduce the risk of ingrown toenails.
   • Nail scissors are less commonly used than nail clippers, but some people prefer them. You may need a little more practice to trim your nails with nail scissors. However, you also determine the arc along which you cut your nail. Nail scissors are best suited for cutting fingernails. You need heavier tools for your feet.
   • It is dangerous to use other sharp cutting tools such as knives, razors or regular scissors to trim your nails. The tool can slip and damage the skin around the nail.
3. Make sure your clippers are clean. If possible, buy your own nail care kit and get separate sets for your fingernails and toenails. Wash the tools with a disinfectant for good hygiene. Dish soap or an antibacterial soap are sufficient: soak your cutting tools in a bowl of hot soapy water for 10 minutes.
4. Think carefully about where you cut your nails. Also immediately prepare something to put in your cut nails; it can be offensive to other people if you leave your clipped nails lying on the floor. Consider clipping your nails over a trash can or organic waste bin. Keep your fingers and toes over the tray and try to find the broken nails. Do not trim your nails in public areas or near people who are talking.
   • You can compost your fingernails and toenails. They won't make the pile much bigger, but it is organic material and thus compostable. Do not try to compost artificial nails (acrylic nails) or overly painted nails, as these materials are not biodegradable.

Part 2 of 3: Cutting nails

1. Trim your nails often, but don't overdo it. Nails grow about 2.5mm per month, which means it takes about 3-6 months for a nail to fully grow. If you trim your nails regularly - say, once every one to two weeks - you don't have to worry about them growing too long or wildly. If your nails start to hurt around the edges, an ingrown nail may be developing; try to cut the painful part of your nail before it grows in too deep, but it is wiser to take it to your doctor.
2. Be careful not to cut too much. It can be tempting to keep clipping your nails (for convenience, appearance, or addiction) even after clipping the white edge. But cutting them too far exposes the sensitive skin underneath the nail and increases the risk of infection. Try to keep the ends of your nails roughly level with the top of your fingers - or remove the white end all but a narrow edge.

Part 3 of 3: Filing nails

1. Decide if you want to file your nails after you cut them. You don't have to file your nails, but it does help you give your nails exactly the shape you want. Clipping your nails can cause hooks - but it's easy to file them all in the same shape. Use a nail file, pumice stone, or other hard, rough surface.
   • Nails with hooks can catch on clothes, socks and tights. If your nails get caught on something, they can crack or break.
2. Wait for your nails to dry. Wait until your nails are dry and no longer soft. Filing wet nails results in frayed, rough nails when dry and can cause your nails to split and break.
3. Check your work. When cutting or filing, check from time to time to make sure they are all still the same length and shape. Make sure they are smooth - jagged or pointed nails can be painful and inconvenient in everyday life. Keep cutting and filing until your nails are even.

Tips

• Lubricate your nails every evening with a nourishing oil or a conditioning cream. This can help keep your nails from flaking and cracking. A great, inexpensive alternative to a nourishing oil is a tiny drop of olive oil.
• There are special nail clippers for toenails. Where a regular nail clipper is slightly curved, a toenail clipper is straight to prevent the chance of ingrown toenails.
• Clean the area under your nails with a pointed cotton swab. A cotton swab is much gentler than scrubbing with a nail brush - this reduces the chance of damaging the sensitive skin under your nails.
• Polish your nails to make them smooth and shiny. Massage a cuticle cream around your nails to keep your cuticles healthy and supple.
• Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes. The main cause of soft nails is exposure to (soap) water. If your nails are wet and soft, be careful with them until they are completely dry.
• Rub your hands with hand cream every time you wash your hands. The oil in the cream keeps your nails supple.
• The ideal length to suit most hands is just past the fingertip.
• If you have very weak nails, try applying base coat and nail polish under the pit of your nails to make them stronger.
• To prevent mud and dirt from getting under your nails during gardening and other dirty work, you can run your nails over a bar of soap. The bottom of your nail will then fill with soap so that no dirt can get underneath.
• Always clean the bottom of your nails, otherwise bacteria can build up there.
• Use fingernail clippers for your fingers and toenail clippers for your toes.

Warnings

• Before you start cutting nails, you should clean all your tools. Soak this in a bowl of hot soapy water for 10 minutes.
• Does not bite nails; it gives you ingrown fingernails and toenails and it looks dirty.
• When cutting your nails, don't do it too quickly. Be careful not to cut your skin or remove too much of a nail.
• Don't trim your cuticles too much, or they will bleed. They are there for a reason: to prevent infection of the nail bed.

Necessities

• Sharp, clean finger and toenail clippers
• A waste bin or organic waste bin for your cut nails
• A bowl of water to soak your fingers and toes
• Cuticle remover and cuticle cream
• A nail file