By the age of forty, the number of fat cells on the back of a woman's hand have reduced by up to fifty percent since female skin thins and ages quicker than men's. The condition of your hands and nails can reveal quite a bit about your health. For example, a lack of Vitamin B12 can lead to splitting nails whereas a deficiency in Vitamin A and calcium can cause dry nails. Insufficient zinc can cause white spots to develop on nails and a poor metabolism of essential fatty acids can lead to red skin forming around your cuticles.Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables should help to supply the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy nails. Eating foods rich in sulphur and silicon such as broccoli and fish and incorporating biotin-rich foods such as brewer's yeast and whole grains are also excellent ways to feed your nails.
Nails grow anywhere between 0.05mm and 1.2mm per week and are mainly composed of a protein called keratin. Nails should be filed to a short to medium length. When filing, try to resist the urge to move from side to side, which can weaken your nails. Try to file gently from one corner to the centre in one motion and one direction. You should never cut your nails since this can cause them to split. For cuticles, push them back gently with a good cuticle cream and also massage the nail base well to encourage the blood supply.
There is no point in having beautifully groomed nails if your hands are dry and chapped so always moisturise really well but especially if you are repeatedly immersing your hands in water. You should consider wearing protective rubber gloves when washing-up since harsh chemicals can cause the skin around the nail bed to dry out and crack.
Now to the finishing touch - your nail polish. Coloured polish could be thought of as another one of your accessories since a nice splash of colour will bring attention to your hands. Just bear in mind that if your nails are not your best asset you should stick to either a clear or neutral polish. Otherwise choose a colour that blends with your lipstick. It doesn't matter whether it's darker or lighter as long as it blends. In cold air nails can dry out but with a good coat of nail varnish they will be more protected from the elements.
Lastly, remember to never go out if you have broken nails or chipped nail varnish. This will not only make you look like you don't care about your appearance, but this look could also ruin what would otherwise be a well-groomed ensemble.