Manicure and Pedicure
Manicures and pedicures are health and cosmetic procedures to groom, trim, and paint the nails and manage callouses. However, nail salons use tools that can potentially be infectious the tools are not properly sanitized. It is important to check if they are disinfeected to prevent germs from spreading nail fungi and viruses.
In the late 20th century, artificial nails for women became widely popular. The artificial nails are not a replacement, but an extension for natural nails. There are three main approaches to creating artificial nails—tips, forms, and wraps.
i) Tips are made of lightweight plastic plates that are "nail" shaped.
They are glued on the end of the natural nail and acrylic is then applied over the entire nail.
ii) Forms are used when applying acrylic or gel systems.
They fit under the nail and serves as a platform for the systems to take shape.
iii) Fiberglass or Silk Wraps. They are done by cutting pieces of actual fiberglass or silk fabric to fit on the surface of the nail or tip and then it is sealed down with a resin or glue.
Nail Biting
Nail biting is the habit of biting one's fingernails or toenails during periods of nervousness, stress, hunger, or boredom. It can also be a sign of mental or emotional disorder. The clinical name for nail biting is chronic onychophagia.
It occurs in:
28% to 33% of children ages 7-10 years old,
44% of adolescents,
19% to 29% of young adults and
5% of older adults
It is more common in young males
Biting the nails can result in the transportation of germs that are buried under the surface of the nail into the mouth. Beacuse nail biting involves chewing of surrounding skin and cuticle, the broken skin is susceptible to microbial and viral infections. These pathogens can be spread between digits via the mouth. A long-time habit of nailbiting may have detrimental effects on the substantia adamantinea of the front teeth, promoting caries in these areas.
Extreme nailbiting can be considered to be a form of masochistic self-mutilation. Bitten fingertips can become very sensitive to pain, usually at the place the skin meets the edge of the nail. If the nail surrounds have been damaged, salty foods, (such as potato chips and pickles), can get between the skin and nail and cause pain and hypersensitivity.
A normal, healthy (nail biting) person has a very low risk of suffering from infections.
How to stop Biting Your Nails
Nail biting is a habit that is not easy to quit. If you are tired of the nail stubs and bleeding, try these simple remedies to promote normal, beautiful nail growth, and prevent:
Before long your nails will be shiny and you will want to care for them and avoid the common problems that can come with longer nails.
Steps:
1. Confront your problem. Get a camera and take some pictures of your bitten fingernails. Examine your nails, and list their problems.
2. Visualize yourself with healthy nails, and how great they will look.
3. Pick at least one nail to "protect" at a time.
After a few days, an unbitten nail will flourish and reward you. Do not bite it. If you must, bite one of the 'unprotected' ones. Once you have grown your unbitten nail for a while, start protecting another one. And another. Record your progress in a notebook or photo album. Take "before and after" photos of your nails and put them in the book to keep you motivated. Recognizing that it usually takes takes three weeks to grow nails half a centimeter, chart out in the book how long you want your nails to be by a certain date.
4. Eat calcium- and magnesium- rich foods so that your nails will repair and grow well. Not only that, but most of the reason that the human body wants to bite nails is the lack of calcium and magnesium in the body and the body needs that material back.
5. Push your cuticles back. Many nail-biters do not have "moons" on the base of their fingernails because their cuticles have not been pushed back. To do this, gently push your cuticles towards your finger to reveal more of your nail. This is easier to do after a shower when your hands and nails are wet. This makes the nail appear longer, and it gives a more attractive shape, which might also be a motivation to stop biting.
6. Find a habit to take the place of nail biting. Whenever you have the urge to bite, do that instead. Some people like to drum their fingers, or just stare at their hands. Just make sure it's not a bad habit; choose a helpful one or one that doesn't really matter either way. 'Bitrex' is a chemical that is put in products to make them taste foul, obtained from your local pharmacy. It's included in nibble inhibitors that you paint on to your nails. Carry some with you at all times. Apply your nasty solution several times a day. If you get used to the taste, choose another brand.
7. Distract your mouth. Eat carrot sticks to keep you busy. Keep a stick of gum handy for those weak moments.
8. Distract your hands by taking up a hobby.
A hobby to distract your hands might be making models or maintaining your house, knitting or crochet, running or other outside pursuits, or even nail care and decoration!
For those whose nail biting is obsessive/compulsive it may help to approach your hobby obsessively
9. Cover your nails. For females, fit artificial nails. They can really help. For guys, polish them and apply some shine/growth promoter or petroleum jelly. It's harder to bite nails that are looking great!
- Keep gloves in your back pocket and wear them when you want to bite.
- Put little pieces of tape on the ends of your fingers, to remind yourself how destructive biting is.
10. If you have any surplus growth, cut your nails back. Keep clippers with you at all times. You can't bite if there's nothing there!
11. Speaking about your nails will help to focus your mind on your goals. Ask for help from your partner. Keep talking about your goals. Show off your improved nails, and get much-needed encouragement and praise from your peers. Be proud of your improving nails. They will shine with beauty.
12. Go for a manicure, and chat with the manicurist about having great nails.
If you are male and you go in for a manicure and anyone gives you grief for not being manly, just say you are taking radical steps, whatever it takes. That should be manly enough for anyone.
13. Keep looking after your nails, with cuticle oil, shine and growth promoter, and no biting!
14. Use an emery board to file when ever you feel like biting. Even if you file them down to nothing, it's better then chewing into your nail bed, "ouch"!
15. You might also want to try putting nail polish on. Since it tastes so bad, you won't want to bite your nails anymore.
16.Put nail jewels on your nails. These are hard to bite, and the risk of one coming off in your mouth may scare you into quitting your habit.
17. Clean, manicured nails will be such an improvement to your self-esteem. You'll see!
Nail Diseases
For a full list of Nail Diseases and related antomy articles, please use Wikipedia.