By Shahnaz Husain
Did you know that the sun can affect the nails too? Some pastel colours, specially beige and pink react to the sun and the nail may acquire a yellowish colour. The most common cause of yellow nails is wearing nail polish constantly. Leave nails unpolished sometimes.
Another rare condition is “yellow nail syndrome”, but in this, there may also be thickening of it and the nail may separate from the nail bed. Such conditions need medical treatment.
For sun protection, use a clear, transparent nail polish as a top coat over the colour you have used. Ultraviolet resistant top coats are also available.
To get rid of the yellowish tint on the nails, scrape the surface of the nail with the finest-grain side of an emery board, so that it is not damaged and then use the UV-resistant or clear polish for protection. It will also add shine to dull nails.
The nails can also be “buffed.” This is usually done with a piece of chamois leather. It should be gently rubbed with the chamois leather. It helps to remove the yellow tinge and also makes the nails shiny.
To remove the yellow colour, you can add baking soda to water and soak your fingers in them daily for 15 minutes. You can also take pieces of lemon and rub them on the nails. Or add dilute lemon juice with water and soak your hands in them for 10 minutes everyday.
Useful Tips for Nail Beauty:
- Rub a slice of lemon under the nails to make them look cleaner and whiter.
- Use nail clippers for cutting nails to avoid splits.
- Broad nails can look narrower, if you leave a very narrow strip on either side without polish.
- Small and short nails can look longer if you apply light coloured nail polish.
- If the nail polish chips, avoid peeling it off. This can remove the protective layer of the nail.
- For long nails, try applying white frosted nail polish on the under side of your nails.
- If you have brittle nails, include adequate protein and calcium in your diet. Take skimmed milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, fish and sprouts.
- For nails which break or chip easily, follow a ten-day programme of taking gelatin. Dissolve one teaspoon gelatin in a little boiling water. Cool the water and add it to fruit juice. Have this daily for ten days.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honoured with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.