Nail Care - Do's and Don'ts

1. Picking up small objects from smooth surfaces can damage the tips of nails. So slide the objects to the edge of the surface and scoop into your other hand; or slide a piece of card under the item and lift it that way. Avoid picking up objects using the nails only.



2. ALWAYS act as if your nails have been polished RECENTLY. To keep your nails super shiney and beautiful, add a coat of clear top coat every other day.



3. Do NOT reach for things with the fingers outstretched. Banging your nails on a door handle is a sure way of breaking them. Remember, if you are wearing long nails for the first time, they are sticking out 1/2 inch further than your "normal" reach, so it's easy to over reach and knock one off until you are used to them. Keep your fingers limp and curled while reaching for things.



4. To open a 'pull up' car door, do NOT stick your fingertips under the handle and pull up. If you hand slips, you can break the nails off backwards. Instead, use the knuckle around your first joint off your index finger and slide it under the handle side ways.



5. Do NOT push the buttons of a phone, light switch, toaster, or radio, etc. with your nail tips. Use your knuckle or a pencil or other instruments.



6. Use a coin, a spoon, a butter knife, your curled forefinger, or other small instrument to open the ring on Cola cans.



7. Don't open plastic bags, packages, or boxes by picking at them with your nails. ALWAYS use scissors or a knife. Likewise, don't pick price tags or stickers off with your nails.



8. When washing dishes, gardening, cleaning your car or bathing animals, scrubbing floors and when using chemicals (household or other), ALWAYS wear rubber gloves. Gloves protect your nails from chemicals and can act as a shock absorber should the nails be knocked. Use a butter knife to scrape dried on foods off of kitchen counters.



9. Button up coats and clothing by using the side of your fingers. Using the tips forces the button to slide under the nail.



10. Don't pull on your pantyhose or other clothes with your fingertips. Again, use the sides of your fingers.



11. When bathing, do NOT soak your nails for a long period of time in hot water. Your nails absorb water 100 times faster than your skin and will expand. The artificial coating does NOT expand; thus will promote lifting. ALWAYS keep your hands out of the water when enjoying a bubble bath.



12. Use ONLY non-acetone polish remover when changing the color of your polish. Acetone will 'eat' the ABS plastic that the extensions are made of.



13. When making a bed, use your knee to hold up corners of the bed to put on sheets; use your hand like a karate chop to tuck in sheets and blankets, or use a children's table tennis game paddle!



14. When doing laundry, if clothes are tangled, use B-B-Q or ice tongs to pull wet clothes out--or be VERY careful by moving slowly and deliberately.



15. When unhooking jewelry, use the sides of your fingers--NOT your fingernails!



16. When dialing a phone, use the eraser end of a pencil or your knuckles.