Nail Health Tips to Keep your Tips Strong and Gorgeous

Summertime is here, and with it the season of mani-pedis. 

But before you head to the nail salon, you might want to read on. 

See, the wrong nail care practices and products can lead to all kinds of problems, from weak nails to serious health issues. 

Whether you’re a nail girly with a full time set or an occasional guest at your local salon, you won’t want to miss these do’s and don’ts to keep your nails healthy and beautiful.

Top Tips for your Tips & Tippies

Doing your nails at home or spending an afternoon at the nail salon can be a great way to pamper yourself. However, mani-pedis can come with risks, especially if you don’t know what to be aware of. The right practices and products can be the difference between healthy, beautiful nails and health problems such as infection and even long-term issues. 

Wherever you do your nails, it’s important to make sure that the experience is safe and supports long-term nail health. Read on to learn the do’s and don’ts of doing your nails!

Nail Health No-No’s – Practices

Next time you’re getting your nails done, keep in mind this shortlist of do’s and don’ts for nail health. 

1: Cuticle Care

Don’t cut your cuticles! While overgrown cuticles aren’t cute, they do serve an important function. 

Cuticles seal the skin to the nail, protecting your nailbed and the skin around it from infection.

That’s why it’s not advised to cut, bite, peel, or otherwise damage your cuticles. Doing this can allow bacteria and fungi in, leading to infection. 

To keep your cuticles looking cute, moisturize them regularly. When they need maintenance, soak them in warm water and gently push them back. 

Despite guidelines from the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology advising against it, many nail salons routinely cut cuticles. If you go for professional manicures, ask your nail tech to skip cutting your cuticles and push them back instead.

2: Infection Protection

If you’ve gotten your nails done before, you’ve probably heard some version of the “make sure they’re sanitizing the tools” spiel. And with good reason! When you’re dealing with multiple people, repeated microtrauma, and the re-use of tools and footbaths, infection is a very real concern. 

If you’re getting a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, don’t be afraid to inquire about their health and safety practices. All tools should be ideally individually wrapped and sterile, at the very least properly sanitized, and footbaths should be thoroughly cleaned between each client. 

Summer pedicure tip: Avoid waxing or shaving before your pedi. One study found that shaving before a pedicure increased infection risk by almost fivefold! 

Nail Health No-No’s – Products

While it’s easy to get caught up in nail trends, when it comes to nail products, it’s worth knowing what to be cautious of and what to avoid.

1: Allergies and Reactions

The most common issues people experience with nail products are allergies and reactions, the most frequently reported of which is contact dermatitis from acrylates in gel nail polish, nail glue, long-lasting nail polish, and acrylic nails. A major cause of reactions is incomplete curing, especially with at-home nail kits. Due to the nature of the chemicals used, they need to be fully cured to be inert. 

Irritant contact dermatitis is immediate, and typically resolves once you stop exposure. However, repeated exposure or improper curing can lead to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). 

ACD is a hypersensitivity immune reaction that can cause longer-term symptoms, and even cross-reactivity or cosensitivity. This means that the allergy can extend to other products containing acrylates, which are widely used in everything from medical materials to mascara. To prevent ACD, experts recommend thorough protection and safe handling practices, as well as avoiding at-home kits.

2: Nail Product Problems

While cute nails are undeniably a fashion statement, many nail products contain a lot of nasties. 

Nail products like polishes and gels often contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (dibutyl phthalate). While some of these substances just weaken and damage nails, others can have debilitating effects on the body’s systems, and can even lead to cancer. 

To keep you and your nails as healthy as possible, choose natural nail care products. At the very least, look for products labeled “x-free” (5-free, 7-free, 10-free, etc.) which indicates that they don’t include a number of these toxic ingredients. 

3: The UV Controversy

We’ve known for ages that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause cancer and photodamage to skin. So how concerned should you be about the UV nail lamps used to cure gels or acrylics?

The good news? Studies have shown that the risk of UV nail lamps causing cancer is low. However, regular use can still contribute to skin aging. Experts recommend wearing fingerless gloves and sunscreen to protect your hands, especially if you’re being exposed regularly.

Takeaway

With all of this said, don’t fear the mani-pedi! 

In fact, pedicures can have benefits beyond the cosmetic. Did you know that taking care of feet is crucial for your health and can even help you look younger? Check out our blog on foot care to learn more.

All we’re saying is that when you’re doing your nails, make sure to keep your health and safety in mind. And when it comes to nail salons, if you’re not sure, don’t be afraid to ask! An establishment that won’t answer questions is probably not one you want to return to. 

The takeaway? Whether at home or at the nail salon, keeping these nail do’s and don’ts in mind can help ensure you and your nails stay healthy and gorgeous!

Looking for natural ways to keep yourself healthy and glowing? Check out our friends at Essential Balance for the latest in health, acupuncture, holistic nutrition & skincare.

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Eileen Fauster of Essential Balance is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.

* Resources:

Aravind, N., Burke, O., & Morrison, B. W. (2026). Dermatologic best practices for manicures and nail care: A systematic review. JEADV Clinical Practice. https://doi.org/10.1002/jvc2.70358

Arora, H., & Tosti, A. (2017). Safety and efficacy of nail products. Cosmetics, 4(3), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics4030024

Artificial nails: Dermatologists’ tips for reducing nail damage. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/reduce-artificial-nail-damage

De Berker, D. A., André, J., & Baran, R. (2007). Nail biology and nail science. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 29(4), 241–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2007.00372.x  

Fingernails: Do’s and don’ts for healthy nails. Mayo Clinic. (2024, November 22). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954

Gardeen, S., & Hylwa, S. (2020). A review of acrylates: Super glue, nail adhesives, and diabetic pump adhesives increasing sensitization risk in women and children. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, 6(4), 263–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.04.007

Gatica-Ortega, M. E., Pastor-Nieto, M. A., & Silvestre-Salvador, J. F. (2018). Allergic contact dermatitis caused by acrylates in long-lasting nail polish. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas (English Edition), 109(6), 508–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adengl.2018.05.008 

Gatica‐Ortega, M., Pastor‐Nieto, M., Mercader‐García, P., & Silvestre‐Salvador, J. (2017). Allergic contact dermatitis caused by (meth)acrylates in long‐lasting nail polish – are we facing a new epidemic in the beauty industry? Contact Dermatitis, 77(6), 360–366. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12827  

Shihab, N., & Lim, H. W. (2018). Potential cutaneous carcinogenic risk of exposure to UV nail lamp: A review. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 34(6), 362–365. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12398