HOW TO WHITE YELLOW NAILS
An easy way to whiten your nails.
INNA CODRU , AUGUST 31, 2020
Dark varnishes. Red varnishes. Nail extension. Even just peel an orange for a snack. There are many situations that can cause your nails to turn yellow, and fortunately, there is an easy way to get them back to a healthy color.
We turned to Marcela Correa, a licensed medical pedicurist and owner of New York-based Medi Pedi, a medical spa for aesthetic and therapeutic foot care. We sat down with her to find out what causes yellowing nails and how to lighten them.
WHY DO THE NAILS TURN YELLOW?
“The main cosmetic reason your nails turn yellow is if you leave polish on them for too long, it causes them to become dehydrated and discolored,” explains Correa. “However, if you don’t normally use nail polish and notice that they are turning yellow, it could already be a medical condition such as nail fungus or psoriasis, in which case you should see a dermatologist.”
Bottom line: If you can't remember the last time you went without nail polish, and there's no change in the texture of your nails (such as thickening or curvature), the nail polish is most likely the culprit.
HOW TO WHITE NAILS AT HOME
“The best thing you can do at home to whiten your nails is to exfoliate them regularly and moisturize afterwards,” Correa tells us, before sharing her nail care tip with her client to keep her nails healthy and bright. SO:
What you will need:
- Tube of whitening toothpaste
- Nail brush (a clean toothbrush works too)
- Your favorite nail oil (Correa recommends olive oil)
Mode of application:
- Squeeze out and apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to each nail, spread it over the nail so that the nails are completely covered.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Scrub your nails gently with the brush.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly and massage the cuticles and nail bed with oil.
The brightening active ingredients in the toothpaste lift stains from the nails just like they do from the teeth, while the oil moisturizes them.
HOW TO PREVENT YELLOWING NAILS IN THE FUTURE
According to Correa, the best way to prevent yellowing of your nails in the future is to avoid sparing your nails while doing housework and don't leave nail polish on your nails for more than two weeks at a time. Also don't forget to apply a base coat. We know adding another step to a manicure is annoying, but a base coat will create a barrier between the nail bed and the polish to prevent further staining.