Black nail polish. Red nail polish. Peel an orange to eat. There are a number of reasons why your nails can turn yellow, and luckily there is an easy solution to make them shine again. Here are some tips to make your nails whiter.
Why are my nails yellow?
The main cosmetic reason your nails turn yellow is that you leave nail polish on too long, causing them to dry out and discolor. However, if you don't normally put nail polish on and you notice that they are dirty, it could be an underlying medical condition, such as nail fungus or psoriasis. In that case, you should consult your dermatologist.
In short: if you can't remember the last time you went without nail polish and there are no changes in your nail texture (i.e. thickening or curvature), the culprit is probably the polish.
Whiten nails at home
The best thing you can do at home to whiten your nails is to exfoliate them regularly and then moisturize them.
What you need:
A tube of toothpaste for whitening
A nail brush (a clean toothbrush will also work)
Your favorite nail oil (olive oil is also a good substitute)
What you do:
1. Squeeze and spread a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on each nail to completely cover the spots.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes (perhaps do a quick meditation?).
3. Gently scrub your nails with the brush.
4. Rinse hands thoroughly and massage the oil thoroughly into your cuticles and nail beds to finish.
The active brightening ingredients in your toothpaste lift discoloration from your nails in the same way as your teeth, while the oil rehydrates them.
How to prevent yellow nails in the future
The best way to prevent your nails from yellowing in the future is to keep up with your home care and make sure you don't leave your nail polish on for more than two weeks at a time. Also don't forget to apply a base coat. Adding one more step to your mani is tedious, we know, but a base coat will create a barrier between your nail beds and your polish to prevent further staining.
