Trimming your toenails

When you whip out your footsies this summer, make sure they’re in tiptop shape. BeautyHeaven shows you how to trim those toenails, correctly.

Did you know that cutting toenails incorrectly can lead to ingrown nails, nail fungus and foot pain? The way you cut your toenails directly affects the way in which they grow. Cutting toenails too rounded can force the nail to curl around and grow in on itself, leading to painful piercing of the skin and potential infection. Leaving the nails too long can encourage them to retain dampness, which can also lead to infection.

Confused? Well don’t be. We’ve got the straightforward tips on cutting toenails right, every time.

How to cut toenails


1. Choose the right clippers: avoid using the same clippers for your fingernails and your toenails. A good pair of toenail clippers will be slightly wider and flatter than regular fingernail clippers. Sterilise them with rubbing alcohol between every use and don’t share with friends.

2. Choose the right time: avoid cutting nails straight out of the shower as wet nails are softer and more vulnerable to tearing. Instead, always work on dry, clean nails.

3. Choose the right cut: cut nails by guiding the clippers straight across each toe and avoid curving downwards to round the nails as curved nails can become ingrown nails. Do each nail in a few small cuts, rather than one large cut, which may cause the nail to pull back from the skin.

4. Choose the length: avoid cutting nails too short as this can also lead to ingrown toenails. If you like them short, cut to just beneath the tip of the toe, no more than a millimetre.

5. If you’re a filer, not a clipper… if you prefer to file rather than cut, avoid using a back and forth sawing motion with the file and instead gently move the file across the nail in one direction until smooth.

This article originally appeared on BeautyHeaven.

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