How to Stop Biting Your Nails

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Nail biting is usually described as being just a bad habit, but sometimes it can be a side effect of stress, anxiety, or something that we do subconsciously while doing things like watching TV or reading a book. However, nail biting is not healthy and can cause more than just cosmetic issues with your nails. Your fingernails are one of the dirtiest places on your body and biting your nails can transfer bacteria from your nails and into your body, resulting in sickness and even infections.

Luckily, there are ways to help you stop biting your nails. Listed below are a few tips and tricks that you can try out to see which one works best for you.

Keep your nails trimmed short:With less nail to bite, the less you’ll be tempted to bite them.

Apply Nail Polish or Artificial Nails: Having nail polish or artificial nails on your natural nails may actually be a deterrent as the nail polish will taste bitter, and the act of spending money to keep your nails looking beautiful will make you think twice before putting them in your mouth.

Keep Your Hands Busy: When reading a book or watching TV, opt for using a stress ball or fiddling with something to keep your hands occupied.

Identify The Problem: Find out what causes you to bite your nails in the first place. Is is stress? Anxiety? Are you bored? Are you uncomfortable with hangnails or having long nails? By figuring out what triggers you to bite your nails, you can take steps to avoid these situations, or make a plan to do something different when the feeling arises.

It may seem hard at first, but with persistence, you’ll be able to kick the habit in no time! Contact a dermatologist if problems arise with your skin as a result of biting your nails.

How do I Treat an Infected Nail?

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One of the most common hand injuries is an infected fingernail. Fingernail infections often occur on the edge of nail and are incredibly painful, but the majority of the time are not serious and do not require medical intervention by a doctor.

Fingernail infections can be caused in a number of ways. Ingrown nails or nail biting can cause the skin to break and allow bacteria to enter the area, often causing a fingernail infection. Getting your nails done at the salon and having your cuticles pushed down may also lead to a fingernail infection.

Fingernail infections are easy to spot so if you suspect that you have a fingernail infection, watch for these signs and symptoms:

  • Swelling around the fingernail
  • Redness and a tender feeling when pressed down on
  • Blisters or pus build-up (in worse cases)

Luckily, there are at home methods that you can use to treat fingernail infections without having to see the doctor. At home remedies include:

Antiseptic soaks

Using antibacterial and warm soap, soak the affected fingernail in a bowl 3 times a day for up to 20 minutes. If the infection has not cleared within four or five days, visit your doctor.

Draining

Most fingernail infections do not pus or will go away before it gets to that stage. Should your fingernail infection progress to a point where pus is present, give it a gentle squeeze to release the built-up pus. Pus will normally drain away on its own when you use the soaking method, but others are a bit more stubborn. Pricking the area with a sterile pin to help release the pus may be necessary.

Antibiotics

Over the counter remedies such as Polysporin have worked wonders for many different infections, and fingernail infections are no exception. Apply the cream after using the soaking method for best absorption and efficacy. Do this three times a day after each soaking and apply a band-aid to ensure the cream absorbs into the skin and does not run off on anything else. If the infection persists after 5 days, call your doctor

Top 4 Nail Trends for Spring 2019

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TLike the seasons, trends come and go. Some are one-hit wonders that make their mark on the world for a week and then fizzle out, while others continuously stay at the front of the pack. While there are timeless classics that you can never go wrong with, here are the top four nail trends for Spring 2019 that will ensure that you stand out amongst the rest.

Crystals

Flashy nail art has always been a thing and it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Crystals will be the go-to nail accessory, whether it will only be on a statement finger or all of the nails. Although, unlike in the past where it was popular to pair crystals with clear or pale nails, this Spring is all about bolder colours paired with crystals of all shapes, sizes, and colours. Play around and see which gems compliment you the most.

Primary Colors

Ah, yes, the classics. Expect lots of reds, blues, and yellows to be making an appearance this Spring, and we’re not talking about the pastel variations or any other kind. Think more: crayola crayon style. Bright, bold, and beautiful.

Pearls

Ooooh, shiny. Much like the crystals, pearls of all different sizes will be a much desired nail accessory to everyone this Spring. For added shine and glamour, these pearls will be looking their best when placed on top of a nail polish that has a pearlescent finish to it. Icy blues, pearly pinks, and lavender are all expected to be a major hit.

Mix-and-match neutrals

Not into bejeweling your nails or fancying a pop of colour? Never fear, neutral tones are here, and always will be. Though a neutral tone may seem safe for less daring, many are spicing up the timeless classic by mixing and matching neutrals for a fun, quirky look. Whether it’s a different colour on each nail or doing something spunky like stripes or spots, your nails are sure to draw a lot of attention.

Taking Care of Your Acrylics

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For those of us who dream of long nails, but are unable to grow and maintain them for various reasons, acrylics are our holy grail. They’re stunning, can come in many different shapes and sizes, and the best part is that they last a really long time. However, like with all things, in order to keep them a long time, they need to be tended to. Here are 3 ways that you can keep your acrylics looking beautiful and healthy for the weeks to come.

SCHEDULE ‘FILLS’

Because acrylics are placed on top of your nail, they also grow with your nail and a gap can be created between the bottom of the acrylic and your natural nail bed. This can cause it to not only look a little funny, but it also makes it a lot easier for the acrylic to become damaged or to break off. By keeping up with 2 week appointments, your nail technician can fill in the gaps and keep your nails looking fresh.

USE QUALITY NAIL POLISH AND A TOP COAT

Acrylics are an investment of their own, so why not splurge a little bit? Most nail salons that you go to will have standard nail polish, but we recommend going for the gel polish to put on top of your acrylics. Not only does it apply better, but it will last longer too. If not already offered, make sure you get the top coat applied as well for even shinier and longer lasting color.

MOISTURIZE YOUR HANDS

Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Keeping your hands soft is one thing, but the moisture will also help to keep your nails strong. It also prevents hangnails which a bonus. Apply nail oil to your cuticles as well for added softness.

Don’t forget! Plei Nail Strengthener can also be used with acrylics  so be sure to pick up a bottle before you go for your next appointment to the nail salon!

Manicure & Pedicure Safety

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Spring is just around the corner, and with the arrival of Spring, comes warmer weather which means that hundreds of locals will be flocking to their nearest salon to get their nails prepped for the sun-filled-open-toed-shoe days. However, choosing a nail salon can be tricky business these days, which is why it is important to do your research carefully and be sure to choose a nail salon that is reputable and has proper safety procedures put in place. “Why?” you may ask? Well, let’s take a look at some of the risks of going to a nail salon.

One of the most common things to happen at a dodgy nail salon is getting an infection. Infections are commonly contracted from dirty tools that have either a) not been disinfected properly or b) haven’t been disinfected AT ALL. Gross. One small nick or cut and you are opening yourself to a plethora of illnesses and bacteria. Even recently shaved or waxed legs can pose a risk as tiny microorganisms can pass through the follicles and into your bloodstream.

If you think that sounds gross, you don’t even want to know what that bacteria can cause, but for the sake of your health, you deserve to know. Staph infections and mycobacteria infections are the frontrunners in a dirty nail salon, as well as various fungal infections. A quick Google Image search of any of these will be enough to urge you to take the proper precautions and choose a reputable nail salon for your next manicure and pedicure.

It’s easy to tell a clean nail salon from a dirty nail salon just by walking in the doors. If you see that the place is dirty or unkempt, or that a nail technician happens to drop a spa tool on the floor and reuse it, it’s a good indicator that this is not the place to go. Get out of there as soon as possible.

Enough of the bad stuff, though. Let’s talk about what makes a nail salon a GOOD nail salon.

There are three levels of decontamination, and if your nail salon hits the third one, then you’ve hit the jackpot. The three levels consist of sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization. Most salons will at least hit the disinfection stage if they’re not using single-use tools. For proper disinfection, salons will use an EPA registered product that is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal all mixed into one. Tools should be soaked in this product for at least 10 minutes to get the full effect and ready for use on the next client.

Speaking of tools, the tools themselves should be in top condition, free of rust and any other deformities. Buffers and files should be new and never reused on any other clients. Similarly, pumice stones cannot be disinfected, so if it is not a new one, decline the service, or bring your own from home.

If you have any doubts, feel free to ask the salon upfront before your appointment. If they can’t give you an exact answer on how they disinfect their tools or how they go about it, it is time to find a new nail salon.

This article was not meant to completely deter you from getting your mani and pedi, but rather to remind you to make smart, healthy choices. Even if it means paying a little more, you can never put a price on your health.

Top 5 Vitamins That Support Nail Growth

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Did you know that your nails are actually a good indicator of your health and help you realize what nutrients you may be lacking in your diet? Like the rest of your body, your nails need certain nutrients to thrive and stay strong and healthy. Today, we’re going to look at the top five vitamins that support nail growth.

1. Biotin (B7)

Biotin has taken the supplement aisle and social media by storm with celebrities promoting various brands, claiming that their nails and hair have never looked better thanks to biotin supplements. Biotin is part of the B Vitamin group, known short-handedly as B7 and sometimes vitamin H and helps to promote healthy cell growth as well as the metabolism of amino acids. While it is extremely unlikely that you should be suffering from a biotin deficiency, there are supported studies that show that an extra supplement can aid those with brittle nails.

If you’re looking for a natural way to consume the vitamin, rather than through a pill or gummy, try these foods which are rich with the vitamin: liver, egg yolk, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, seeds, and cauliflower.

2. Folate (B9)

Folate works similarly like Biotin in the fact that it aids in the development of new cells and red blood cell formation and production. Folate also plays a role in carrying oxygen to the nail cells. Again, while a deficiency in this vitamin is not common, your nails can be an indicator on whether or not you need more folate in your diet. A deficiency in folate causes a pigment change in your nails, making them appear darker, as well as causing them to become for fragile and brittle.

Folate supplements can be found in any grocery store, but are also commonly found in plant-based foods such as dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds and avocado. Folate can also be found in poultry, fish, eggs and dairy.

3. Magnesium

Magnesium is important for most of our body’s functions, not just our nails, as it is involved in the process of nail growth by performing protein synthesis. A deficiency in magnesium will cause vertical ridges on the tops of your nails and slower nail growth. If a nail has fallen off or been broken, an increase in magnesium will help speed up the growth as it aids in the formation of new nails.

Magnesium is relatively easy to come by and even easier to add to your diet. Magnesium can be found in whole grains, especially whole wheat products, dark green leafy vegetables, as well as quinoa, almonds, cashews, peanuts, edamame and black beans.

4. Protein

If you’re a biology or a nail guru, you probably know that your nails are made of a substance named keratin, but what you may not know is that the keratin that makes up your nails is actually dead and constantly sheds as new nail growth happens. In order for keratin production to continue creating strong nails, you need an adequate amount of protein in your diet. Low amounts can cause weaker nails.

Protein is one of the more common nutrients to come by and easily added to your diet, no matter if you’re vegan or an omnivore. The nutrient can be found in animal foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy, as well as plant foods, such as soy, legumes, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Ever wonder how your nails can have a natural glow or shine to them. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are the key as they’re responsible for lubricating and moisturizing your nails to give them a healthy glow. Omege-3 fatty acids also help nourish the nail bed which in turn promotes the health of the cells underneath the nail itself. A deficiency in this nutrient causes dry and even brittle nails.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be comsumed as a supplement, but most of them have a fishy aftertaste, so most people prefer to get them from their food. Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in products such as: salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna and sardines, but for those who prefer to have a fish-less diet, they can also be found in walnuts, soy, eggs, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.

Talk with your doctor if you suspect that you have a deficiency in any nutrients. As mentioned above, your nails can be an excellent indicator of your health and can help point you in the right direction.

For aid in your brittle nails, use Plei Nail Strengthener as part of your daily routine to nourish your nails and promote healthy nail growth and strength.

How Do I Treat a Torn or Detached Nail?

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A torn or detached nail is no laughing matter. The act is often extremely painful and jarring and some may start to panic and wonder what to do. First and foremost, it’s important to seek first aid as soon as possible to prevent infection and eliminate the pain. If there is someone around to help you out, it’s even better, especially if the nail is a fingernail and on your dominant hand.

Keep in mind that a nail, whether it be a toenail or a fingernail, will not reattach to the nail bed, no matter how hard you try. Even if you leave the nail alone, it will eventually fall off as the new nail grows and takes its place. For fingernails, it can take up to 6 months to get back to its normal growth, where a toenail can take up to 18 months, depending on which nail was affected and how severe the tear is.

How is it treated?

Again, it all depends on the type of injury that has occurred to your nail. If a part of the nail is still left and is digging into the nail bed, removing it would be the best course of action to prevent the rest of the nail catching and tearing on clothing and other objects. For less severe cases, trimming off the detached part and filing down any sharp edges of the nail will suffice. If there was any kind of infection or skin condition that caused the nail to fall off, seeking treatment to prevent the spread of infection and to speed up the healing process is recommended.

Once the nail has been removed, soak the damaged nail in cold water for 20 minutes, then remove it, coat it in a thin layer of Vaseline or a similar product, and cover the nail with a bandage, preferably non stick. All of these items can be found at your nearest grocery or convenience store.

In the days that follow, you’ll want to keep treating the nail to prevent any infection from occurring.

To do this, you’ll need to:

  • Soak your damaged nail in warm water with 1 tsp of salt added to it. Repeat this 2 to 3 times each day for the next few days.
  • Apply Vaseline or a similar product, and cover your nail with a fresh bandage.
  • Repeat the Vaseline and bandage procedure until the nail bed has either hardened or the nail has grown back.
  • Keep watch for any signs of infection such as heat, redness, unusual pain, swelling, or pus. Contact your doctor if any of these signs appear as you may be prescribed an antibiotic to rid your nail of the infection.

Once your nail has grown back, be sure to pick up a bottle of Plei Nail Strengthener and apply to your nails every day to prevent this kind of injury from happening again.

What Causes Brittle Toenails?

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As we age, our body begins to decelerate and things aren’t quite what they used to be. The same can be said about our toenails. To aid them during this time, it’s recommended to keep them trimmed and well moisturized to keep the nails soft and nourished. Avoiding nail polish as we age might be for the best as well as nail polish contains chemicals which can speed up the damage. While the most common cause of brittle toenails may be because of the natural process of aging though, it could also indicate an undiagnosed medical condition, prompting you to visit your family doctor as soon as possible.

Thyroid Conditions:

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause toenail problems, with the latter being the more common to produce this problem.

Fungal Infections:

A certain infection called onychomycosis will also cause brittle toenails, accompanied by dulling the appearance of the nail, thickening, and sometimes causing a change in the overall shape.

Nutritional Deficiency:

Finally, developing brittle toenails may be due to your diet and the lack of vitamins which you may not be getting. The most common nutrients associated with brittle toenails are iron and biotin, both of which can be easily added to your diet through simple changes or supplements. Talk with your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary as unlying health problems may also be causing a disruption if your absorption of nutrients.


For keeping healthy, strong nails, use Plei Nail Strengthener to aid the healing process and continue to use everyday for optimal nail health.

Do Nail Clippers Damage Your Nails?

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It’s no secret that nail clippers are outdated and impractical. The archaic design does little to benefit your nails as the shape doesn’t aid in the process of shortening them. Even curved nail clippers, which are supposed to be better than the original, are curved in the wrong direction, and thus are no better than their predecessor.

But with the limited options out there, should we continue to use them? The answer is controversial as there are many who have shunned them from their beauty routine and opted for a nail file, and those who love the convenience of a quick cut and refuse to give them up. While no one can argue with the time saving properties of the original, the nail file may be the better choice overall as the use of a nail clipper may be the cause of split and cracked nails.

What happens when you use the nail clipper is that you are applying pressure and flattening the nail as you cut through the nail plate. This, in turn, weakens the nail and cracks the keratin that is holding the layers of the nail together.

Below, you’ll find a video that demonstrates what happens to your nail when you apply the heavy pressure of a nail clipper to your nails.

While you make the switch from nail clippers to a nail file, be sure to use Plei Nail Strengthener to speed up the process and get on track to healthy, strong nails.

Nail Polish and its Effects on Your Health

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Looking at ingredients is common practice when choosing foods at the grocery store. We do it to make better, healthier choices in our lives to keep our bodies safe. But what about nail polish? Should we be looking at the ingredients of that, too? The answer is yes, because what you might not know is that nail polish can have serious effects on your health.

Some nail polish brands, even some that claim to be toxin-free, contain a compound known as diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) which, when it comes into contact with your body, can seep into your skin. Once inside, your body metabolizes it into the chemical triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and scientists hypothesize that this chemical can interfere with the body’s natural hormones.

A report which tested various nail polish brands found them to contain the toxin called toluene which could be linked to birth defects and developmental setbacks to the babies of mothers who were exposed to the chemical for long periods of time during pregnancy.

However, despite these facts, there hasn’t been much evidence to prove what short term effects these chemicals have on the body. Therefore, an occasional mani-pedi should not put you at any risk, but pregnant women should take extra caution and perhaps skip the spa day altogether to avoid unnecessary birth complications. Spa technicians should be wary as well as they are exposed to these chemicals for long periods of time.

A good alternative to keep your nails looking beautiful and healthier is to use nail strengthener. Plei Nail Strengthener is formaldehyde free and can reverse any damage done to your nails done by chemicals, wear and tear, and artificial nails.