Your nails can end up discolored because of a variety of things. Regular application of nail polish is perhaps the most common of them all — in time, chemicals in nail polish can rob your nails of their natural, healthy color.
There are instances, too, when nail discoloration is brought about by a fungal infection of the nails, or what’s known in the medical world as “onychomycosis”. Not only does this leave your nails discolored, but also thickened and brittle! Onychomycosis more commonly strikes the toenails, but it can also affect the fingernails.
Do you smoke cigarettes or your stress levels are always high? It can be the reason why your nails are discolored. The unflattering appearance of your nails is simply telling you that you need to start embracing a healthier lifestyle.
Below you will find some of the steps that you may take in order to get rid of that unsightly nail discoloration.
Lemon Soak
Squeeze the juice of a medium-sized lemon into a small bowl. Immerse your nails in it for 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, grab a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently scrub your nails. Wash with water and pat dry. Liberally apply your favorite hand moisturizer because lemon juice has a drying effect. You can do this once or twice a day for several weeks.
White Vinegar Soak
A lot of women who are bugged by discolored nails can attest to the effectiveness of having white vinegar soak. What you need to do is reach for a small bowl and then have it filled halfway it with white vinegar. Let your nails soak in it for a couple of minutes. Rinse off, pat dry and moisturize. You can do this up to twice each day.
Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide
Aside from lemon juice and white vinegar, you may also soak your discolored nails in hydrogen peroxide. Grab a bottle of hydrogen peroxide — make sure it says 3 percent! Add 3 tablespoons of it in a half a cup of water. Stir. Soak your nails in this mixture for a couple of minutes. Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse off with water.
Baking Soda Paste
The gentle exfoliation baking soda brings can help make that unsightly discoloration go away much faster. All you need to do is come up with a special nail-bleaching paste by adding a little olive oil to baking soda. Using a fingertip, gently massage this paste on every discolored nail. Rinse off with water afterwards. Do this home remedy once a week.
Whitening Toothpaste
Do you have whitening toothpaste that you swear is so good at keeping your choppers stain-free? Well, the same product can be used for dealing with discolored nails. Twice a week, apply your favorite whitening toothpaste on your nails and leave it there for several minutes. Remove with a soft-bristled toothbrush under running water.
Orange Peels
Refrain from throwing away those orange peels. This is especially true if your nails are discolored. That’s because you can use them in warding off the unattractive stain on your nails. What you need to do is simply rub the fleshy side of orange peels on your nails on a regular basis. With regular use, it won’t take long before your nails are stain-free.
Always Stay Squeaky Clean
Just like what’s mentioned before, a fungal infection can cause nail discoloration. Keeping your hands clean (washing with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, etc.) can keep such problem at bay. In addition, always remember to put on slippers in the locker or shower room, and dry your feet thoroughly before wearing a clean pair of socks.
