Dark nail polish, nicotine from cigarettes, self-tan, certain ‘stainalicious’ foods and the acetone found in nail polish remover can stain your nails, leaving them an unattractive shade of yellow.
Prevent yellow nails
- If you are a smoker try to break the habit or at least use a cigarette holder when smoking.
- Try and avoid touching foods that could stain your hands; things like curry or spices like tumeric and paprika.
- Always wash your hands after using self-tan or wear a pair of gloves while you apply it.
- Prevent dark nail polish from staining your nails by wearing a protective base coat. We like Sally Hansen Complete Care 4-in-1 treatment, R149,95.
Getting rid of yellow nails
Buff your nails regularly to get rid of discolouration and make sure you use an acetone-free nail polish remover. You could also try soaking your nails in lemon juice or a dissolved denture tablet. Another trick? Try brushing your nails with a little whitening tooth paste!
If your nails still seem to turn yellow no matter what you do, get a doctor to check them out as you may have some sort of infection.
3 Responses
Great tips!
Lovely tip. I often have this problem on my toenails.
Especially on your toenails where one doesn’t change nail polish as often as on finger nails. Works wonders.