You may not always want to wear nail polish, and it's typically a good rule of thumb to give your nails a breather in between polishes. Unfortunately, you may notice that your fingernails have been discolored or are a bit yellowish. This can happen when you use a dark polish, or don't use a base coat, or it can even be a symptom of an unhealthy diet. Here are few simple techniques to whiten up dull or discolored nails:

* Dip a Q-tip in hydrogen-peroxide and gently swipe underneath the nails.

* Use a whitening toothpaste with a soft brush.

* Using a nail buffer will not only reduce the discolorization, but it will also smooth out any rough ridges on the nails (which is a sign of vitamin deficiency).

* Soak your nails in water with lemon juice or lemon slices. Once your hands are dry, apply a couple of coats of a clear top coat.

* Try soaking your hands in a mixture 1 denture tablet in 1 cup of warm water, along with 1 to 2 drops of essential lemon oil (or squeeze some real lemons in the water) and soak for about 10 minutes.

* You can also bleach your nails by combining 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 2 ? tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl (this will be pasty). Using a cotton swab, press the mixture under the tip of each nail and on top of the nail. Leave it on your nails for about 3 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

* There are also handy-dandy nail whitening pencils available that you can apply underneath the tips of your nails for a whiter or brighter appearance.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Cuticles

Nobody likes having raggedy cuticles. It makes your nails look rough and unkempt. But cuticles help protect the body from bacteria, yeast, and even fungus, so it's important to keep them healthy and well maintained. Keeping your cuticles well maintained and healthy doesn't have to be hard work, and you really don't need a manicure to take care of them. Here are some basic tips on keeping your nails and cuticles in good condition:

* Apply moisturizer after you wash your hands, and don't neglect your cuticles.

* Hangnails are caused by dry cuticles and are usually a good sign that your nails need moisturizer.

* Try not to use nail polish remover excessively, it will dry your nails and cuticles.

* Wear protective gloves when using household cleaning products, especially bleach.

* You can reduce the overgrowth of cuticles by gently pushing up or rubbing away the cuticles with a soft, warm washcloth.

* DO NOT bite your cuticles!

* If you get a manicure, make sure they use sterilized tools and their working area and hands are clean.

* Talk to a dermatologist if you experience any redness, inflammation or believe you may have an infection.

* NEVER cut your cuticles, as you may cause an infection. If you cut dead cuticles, make sure to be very careful as to how far you cut/trim.

There are products designed specifically for cuticle removal. Once you soften the cuticle with the product, you can then push the cuticle back with an orangewood stick and remove any dead cuticle.

* Wipe the area clean with a cotton ball.

* Use a cuticle oil or cream to help maintain your cuticles

Copyright (c) 2007 Barry Lycka