Beautiful and well-groomed nails are the dream of any modern woman. In pursuit of well-groomed nails, the fair sex spend a lot of time and money on salon treatments, not even suspecting that an effective remedy for healthy nails is in the refrigerator of every housewife - an ordinary lemon can improve the condition of the nail plate in just a few uses. It has long been known how useful and effective lemon is for nails, so now you can find many recipes for whitening, nourishing and strengthening the nail plate with the help of this citrus.
Beneficial features
Lemon is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals that promote rapid and proper growth of the nail plate. Thanks to the complex action of vitamins C, D, A and E, lemon can strengthen and moisturize the nail plate. It is also recommended to use lemon against nail fungus.
Vitamins in lemon | Beneficial features |
Vitamin A | Removes dryness and brittleness, fights thickening along the edges of the nail plate |
Vitamin E | Strengthens nails, prevents the appearance of hangnails |
Vitamin C | Prevents peeling and thinning of nails |
Vitamin D | Promotes rapid growth of the nail plate |
It should be remembered that lemon, like other citrus fruits, contains active elements that sometimes irritate the skin around the nails. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply lemon to your nails every day. It is better to limit the use of this citrus for nail care to once or twice a week, otherwise the nails will begin to peel.
Precautions when using lemon in manicure
Lemon, like any health-improving medicinal product, has its contraindications and precautions. Before starting “lemon” therapy, you need to know that fresh citrus juice is a very active substance, the frequent use of which can cause harm instead of benefit. This mainly applies to people who are allergic to citrus fruits.
5 troubles you can expect at a nail salon
If there are wounds and scratches on the skin around the nail, you should use products with the addition of lemon with extreme caution. Lemon juice irritates the skin, so if it gets into the wound it will feel unpleasant and painful.
For lemon to bring benefits and not harm, just one procedure per week using this fruit is enough. A vitamin treatment is not a daily therapy, so frequent use of lemon masks and baths threatens the formation of cracks on the nail plate and lamination.
With a proper and balanced diet, enriched with dairy products, meat, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, your nails will be healthy and strong. And if you carefully nourish your nails with vitamin masks containing lemon every week, you can avoid expensive procedures in beauty salons and enjoy the well-groomed and healthy appearance of your nails every day.
Fighting fungus
In the initial stages of the disease, it is effective to use lemon for toenail fungus, since the acidic environment is unfavorable for the functioning of fungal infections. There are several proven ways to get rid of fungus.
- The first method is the simplest, but no less effective: you need to squeeze out lemon juice and immediately apply it to the skin affected by the fungus. After 15-20 minutes, the lemon juice is thoroughly washed off. This procedure can be done for no longer than two weeks.
- 2-3 drops of lemon oil should be mixed with a couple of drops of glycerin. It is recommended to rub the resulting balm onto the fungus-infected area every night, then put socks on top and leave the balm on your feet overnight.
- You can also try a lemon compress. To do this, cut the lemon into slices and apply it to the nail. Then the infected area is covered with a plastic bag and bandaged. It is recommended to apply the compress at night for 10 days.
- 4-5 drops of lemon juice should be mixed with turmeric until a thick mass is formed. The resulting paste should be applied to the nail with the fungus and then bandage the area. After 25 minutes, you need to remove the bandage.
Pharmacy drugs
How to quickly grow nails at home using budget funds? Of all the cosmetic products prescribed to strengthen nails, which are always available at the pharmacy, the most effective and affordable is Echinacea purple tincture.
It helps strengthen nails, moisturizes cuticles and accelerates their growth. This plant extract is also used to protect tissues from fungus and disinfect tissues. To do this, apply the prepared solution with cotton wool to each nail and leave until completely absorbed.
It is advisable to supplement the application of Echinacea tincture with a gentle warming massage.
Almost every professional product designed to increase nail growth contains vitamin complexes. However, Echinacea tincture is a safe and natural product that you can prepare yourself if you wish.
Nail whitening
A whitening nail mask with lemon helps against yellowness and dullness of nails. The fruit is cut into two parts and the nails are dipped into it. After 10-15 minutes, remove the fingertips and rub the remaining juice in a circular motion. After the procedure, the nails are lubricated with cream.
Baths are no less effective. A bath with table vinegar remains popular among girls. For it, 3 tablespoons of vinegar are mixed with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 100 ml of water. You need to keep your hands in this solution for no more than 10 minutes, otherwise the bath will harm the skin around the nails.
Massage is one of the most effective ways to accelerate nail growth
One of the procedures that has a lot of positive qualities is finger massage. In terms of effectiveness, it can be compared to medicinal baths, which help speed up the process of nail growth.
In just a week, the condition of the nail plate improves, as blood microcirculation accelerates in small blood vessels during the massage.
If this procedure is combined with masks and peeling, then dead cells are removed from the surface of the skin, and this leads to growth and renewal of the epidermis.
All you need to grow your nails in a week is regular cosmetic soap, a manicure brush or a regular toothbrush, but with soft bristles. At the beginning of the procedure, it is necessary to remove the base coat, that is, the varnish is removed from each nail using a special product.
Next, you need to make a warm bath from a regular saline solution; to prepare it you will need 300 ml of water and a heaped tablespoon of pharmaceutical sea salt. After mixing the ingredients, you need to wait until the salt dissolves and put your hands in a warm bath.
Then slowly massage each finger and nail in a circular motion, pressing lightly on the skin. After 5-10 minutes, rinse your hands. After the massage, it is advisable to apply a light nourishing cream to the skin, maybe for children.
Strengthening
Often, due to the fragility of the nail plate, it is very difficult for girls to grow their nails to the desired length. Lemon nail baths come to the rescue.
- An iodine bath also helps get rid of hangnails. To prepare it, place 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 3-4 drops of iodine and 150 g of glycerin in one container, add honey if desired. The resulting solution is then heated. Dip your fingertips into a warm bath and keep in the container for 20-25 minutes. After this, hands should be washed thoroughly with warm water.
- Salt baths themselves are a powerful remedy for brittle nails, and in combination with lemon, the benefits of such a bath increase significantly. Keep your nails in a solution of 2 teaspoons of salt and 4 tablespoons of lemon juice for up to 10 minutes.
- A milk bath will give your nails a well-groomed look. To prepare a bath, add a tablespoon of salt, the juice of half a lemon and 3 tablespoons of honey to 0.5 cups of milk. It is recommended to keep the nails for half an hour; to be effective, this procedure is repeated 2 times a week; already in the second week, the nails will begin to grow faster.
To eliminate brittleness and flaking, a mask with oil and iodine will help. Vegetable oil is heated in a water bath, then a couple of drops of lemon juice and 3-4 drops of iodine are added to it. The resulting warm mixture is applied for 15-20 minutes and then washed off.
The same effect can be achieved by adding a pinch of sea or rock salt to a tablespoon of juice. This mixture is applied only to intact skin and kept for a maximum of 20 minutes, then the mask is thoroughly washed off.
How to significantly increase nail growth
In order to significantly influence the growth and strengthening of the plate, it is necessary to understand the causes of brittleness and slow growth of nails. On average, nails grow by 1-2 mm per week. But if desired, their growth is accelerated by using nourishing oils and creams, taking vitamins, and caring for their hands.
However, seasonality also affects the body and nails. In addition, in winter, their growth slows down, since there is a lack of vitamins, especially the most important ones - D and E. In addition, the growth of the natural nail plate is affected by weakened immunity, which occurs in the cold season.
For many women, nail growth accelerates during pregnancy. This feature is associated with the hormonal background of pregnant women, since at this time the regenerative properties in the female body are accelerated.
In addition, the fact that pregnant women begin to eat well, take vitamin complexes, and give up bad habits affects their health.
As a result, the condition of hair and nails improves significantly, natural beauty and shine appear. But how to quickly grow nails in everyday life, when there is no time for yourself?
Lemon and honey are a great combination for nourishing nails
A mask of honey and lemon juice gives your nails an incredible shine. Honey is mixed in equal proportions with juice and applied to the nails for 15-20 minutes. This mixture can be used for compresses. To do this, apply the mask to the cuticle and nails, then put on fabric gloves on top and walk in them for 10-15 minutes.
Lemon juice for nails is one of the most popular remedies, but lemon zest is no less useful. It can be used as a nail mask. To do this, grate the zest on a coarse grater and apply it to the nails. The resulting paste must be rubbed into the nail plate in a circular motion for several minutes. After this, the remaining zest should be washed off and a nourishing cream should be applied to your hands.
Lemon for nails: heals, strengthens, whitens
Since ancient times, women have learned to use lemon in cosmetology. Masks, baths, scrubs and even nail wraps are prepared from lemon juice. The benefit of lemon is that it is rich in vitamins A, C, E and D. Vitamins make the skin of your hands soft, and your nails become shiny and strong.
Lemon, its juice and oil are especially popular in strengthening nails. You can use lemon juice to whiten your nail plate.
Experts have proven that when using lemon essential oil, nails not only become stronger, but also grow faster. Yellow citrus essential oil is commonly added during spa baths. You can also use lemon essential oil in its “pure” form. Apply a drop of oil to each nail and rub in gently.
Lemon has long been used by women to restore the nail plate after removing artificial (extended) nails.
Using lemon on your nails is not difficult at all. However, you can feel the visible effect of “lemon” procedures in just a couple of weeks.
Lemon essential oil
Like other essential oils, lemon oil is not used in its pure form; it is added to a base oil; olive oil is often used for this purpose. Before applying a mask with essential oil, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap.
The base oil must be heated in a water bath. As soon as the temperature of the oil has become slightly higher than body temperature, you need to add 3-4 drops of lemon oil to it. Fingers should be placed in the resulting liquid for 15 minutes. Remaining product can be wiped off with a napkin. This procedure brightens the nails and gives them shine. In addition, lemon essential oil has bactericidal properties. It can be used for cracks or minor damage to the skin.
Lemon for nails is an inexpensive and effective remedy for nourishing and strengthening them, but do not forget about additional factors that affect the condition of the nails. You need to carefully monitor your diet: the diet should consist of fruits, meat, vegetables and seafood. Thanks to a balanced diet and constant care, the effect of using masks and lemon baths will be noticeable after just a few procedures.
Point 1: adjusting nutrition
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In order for nails to become strong and healthy, it is necessary not only to apply certain pharmaceutical products or compositions from natural products to the plate. First of all, you need to adjust your own diet. By the way, this will also be useful for your figure.
So, first of all, calcium, zinc and iron are necessary for healthy nails, hair and skin. It is better to take them separately, after consulting with a specialist. It is also recommended to include foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E in your diet.
Point 4: refuse varnish
If you decide to grow your nails and strengthen them, give up regular polish.
- Firstly, it will interfere with the nutrition that comes through the baths.
- And, secondly, every removal with acetone negatively affects them.
The use of special cosmetic preparations – growth stimulants – is allowed. These concentrated products contain natural essential oils and vitamins. By the way, manicures with a transparent coating are at the peak of popularity today.
Liquid nail masks based on gelatin
The gelatin solution can be enriched with additional components to achieve the desired effect.
For brittle and peeling nails
A mask with gelatin, honey and lemon juice works similarly. Add one teaspoon of honey and lemon juice to half a glass of gelatin mass. Honey must be preheated in a water bath until it becomes liquid. The mixture is stirred gently. Then cotton pads are soaked in the composition and applied to the nails for 20 minutes. It has been established that if you take a bath for one month (every other day), your nails will look beautiful and healthy. In addition, with systematic use, a whitening effect is observed.
For emergency strengthening of nails
- Mix one ampoule of vitamins A and E,
- 5 drops rosemary oil,
- gelatin mass.
We place our hands in the mixture or soak cotton balls, which we apply to our nails. Keep it on for about 20 minutes. For maximum effect, wrap your nails in cling film. Put on mittens. After the procedure, lubricate your hands and nails with oil or cream.
Against splitting nails
Pour chamomile tea (sold in pharmacies) or oak bark with a glass of hot water. Leave for 15 minutes. Mix the resulting infusion with cooled gelatin. Add one spoon of olive oil. Use the mixture as a compress or nail bath. Exposure time 20 minutes. This product prevents nail plates from splitting.
For weakened nails
Add a teaspoon of almond oil to half a glass of gelatin solution. At the end of the procedure, rinse your hands with water to remove any remaining gelatin. Then dry your hands and lubricate them with rich cream.
For shine and brightening of nails
This bath is good for nails; it prevents the nail plate from darkening and provides shine. To do this, add 1 tablespoon of 9% apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil to the prepared gelatin solution.
To accelerate nail growth
Mix the prepared gelatin solution (50 grams) with one teaspoon of sea salt, add 2 tbsp. l. carrot juice. Lubricate your nails with an even, thick layer. Use a brush and apply the mask every other day.
To nourish nails
A few drops (3-5) of any essential oil in half a glass of gelatin solution.
Please note that during the procedures you must refrain from using artificial nail material. After all, if the nails are covered with varnish or gel, then the nail plate does not receive a therapeutic effect from this procedure.
Gelatin contains a lot of collagen, so it has an amazing effect on the skin, hair, nails, joints and tendons. This is also the easiest, cheapest way to improve the health of your nails.
- Recommended on the topic: Recipes for nail baths that remove pigment spots and dry skin on the hands.
- Should I use it on my nails all the time? How does it affect nails?
Additional ways to use nail baths
Nail baths work well not only as a preventive measure, but also as part of treatment.
Nourishing baths for nails
To moisturize and nourish your nails, take a course of bath procedures based on natural ingredients, such as oils or honey. The most effective recipes are those with oils: olive, almond, jojoba, and grape seed. They give the skin softness and velvety, making nails healthy and strong.
Baths for whitening nails
Baths with lemon, chamomile and apple cider vinegar effectively whiten the nail plate. For example, combine the juice of one lemon, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, a few drops of lemon and grapefruit essential oils and 2 tablespoons of honey. Soak your nails in this mixture for at least 20 minutes. Do it regularly until you see results.
Nail baths are simple and affordable to use. Photo: @gabby-k, pexels.com
Baths for peeling nails
Nails become thinner for many reasons: vitamin deficiency, improper care, exposure to household chemicals, frequent wearing of gel polish, etc. If you are faced with brittle nails, a variety of nail baths will help strengthen them.
A simple but effective recipe for strengthening nails is a bath with green tea or other medicinal herbs. Brew one tablespoon of medicinal herbs in 200 milliliters of boiling water, cool and add a spoon of olive oil. Immerse your fingers in the solution and hold for 15-20 minutes.
Baths for fungus on nails
Baths are an important part of the comprehensive treatment of fungi, but without drug intervention it will be difficult to achieve a complete cure. Hot water along with various antimicrobial ingredients quickly and painlessly disinfect and eliminate dead skin cells.
Most bath recipes for nail fungus include the following ingredients: iodine, peroxide, soda, vinegar, ammonia and medicinal herbs. Iodine, for example, has disinfectant and antimicrobial properties, as well as the ability to coagulate proteins, due to which it has a destructive effect on fungi. Add 20 drops of iodine to 2-3 liters of warm water. Soak the affected parts of the body in the solution for about 15-20 minutes. After completing the procedure, dry your fingers with a paper towel and apply a bandage with an antibacterial agent.