Cause: Dark or intense colors are more to blame here, Schoon says, so be aware of which polish you choose. Also, the nicotine in cigarettes can leave a yellow tinge.
Fix: "Some less expensive brands use dyes instead of pricier pigments in their polishes, which can seep into nails and stain them just like an Easter egg," Schoon says. So when it comes to deep tones like black, blue or plum, it's worth it to splurge. To attack the discoloration, Schoon suggests using a whitening product that's formulated especially for nails, like Orly Nail Whitener, $7.50, and most importantly, applying a protective layer of thick base coat, like Essie Protein Base Coat, $8, to help ward off future yellowing. And of course, quit smoking (but you already knew that).
Cause: A fungal infection, which almost always occurs on the feet, can make nails become rough, crumbly, thickened and yellow or cloudy in appearance. A bacterial infection can appear between the nail and the nail bed or between a natural nail and an artificial nail -- it will also discolor the nail. Both infections should be treated immediately.
Fix: Your doctor or derm can prescribe medicine to treat nail fungus. Schoon warns against at-home remedies, explaining that professional help is the only way to take care of the situation. He says that frequenting sanitary salons and keeping your home tools hygienic is the most efficient prevention. Wear flip-flops at the gym and pool to prevent picking up an infection, wash and dry feet thoroughly after exercise to stave off fungus (which thrives in dampness) and avoid wearing the same shoes day after day. Surprisingly, it's bacteria, not fungus, that almost always causes nail infections on the hands, especially underneath acrylic nails. Improper cleaning before applying them is the culprit, so be vigilant; ask your doc if they need to be taken off. "After having them removed, gently buff off the infected areas, then start treatment," says Los Angeles-based celebrity manicure pro Carla Kay. "For the following two months, apply Duri Rejuvacote, $12, and Duri Miracote, $7, which strengthen nails to bring them back to health."
Cause: Schoon says the appearance of white spots and ridges are caused by trauma or genes, not missing nutrients in your daily diet.
Fix: Damaging the nail matrix will cause it to produce irregular cells, which manifest as soft, white spots as the nail grows out. Schoon says the only way to prevent them is to protect the hands and try to avoid future damage. You can cover up white spots with opaque shades of polish, but be sure not to buff them, since these areas tend to be soft and weak. When it comes to ridges, heredity or age are the culprits -- if Mom or Grandma have them, chances are you will, too. Most of us will develop them as we age; it's normal. Schoon says grooves that run vertically from the nail plate to the tips are simply areas that grow thinner, and warns that aggressive treatment can make the entire nail thin and weak. Instead, even them out with ridge filler or gently buff them. Skyy Hadley, owner of the As "U" Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, N.J., says to dab on some CND SolarOil, $11 -- which is really rich -- then use a gentle buffer to smooth the nail surface.
With these expert tips, you won't have to ball up your hands to hide bad nails in your next big meeting. Here, get help for dry nails, fungus and more.
