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.
Image: AXL/Shutterstock.com
39 Responses
Good tips to keep feet summer ready. yipppii
Good tips thanks
Great tips for great looking toes in Summer!
didnt know there was a wrong way to do this…wow.. so informative!
I’ve always thought the best time to cut toenails is after a shower- clearly i’ve been misinformed. Thanks for the great tips.
Helpful article
Thanks for the tips!
This reminds me… I was going to do my toenails this weekend. Off I go.
wow i never knew this been doing it wrong all along luckly i have no ingrown toenails yet
I can’t wait to show my feet in summer! These tips will definitely help. Thank you!