I just discovered something.

I had read in some fashion/beauty books that wearing polish on fingernails and toenails actually protects the nails as long as you remove the polish every so often and let your nails be clean for a couple of days.

Well, a few weeks ago, I gave myself a home pedicure, and it was wonderful. I have really bad toenails, so I added some lemon juice to the basin of water, and I loved the smell. When done, I painted my toenails a pretty tangerine shade. The polish lasted until now, when I removed it to discover that my toenails had grown in pinker and healthier than they’d been in quite some time. The thick yellow gunk isn’t totally gone, but I’ll be doing the whole thing again soon.

Tips:
1) Either get regular pedicures or do them at home.
2) Paint your offensive nails in pretty opaque polish.
3) Wear open-toe shoes as much as you can.

I’ve never heard that they’ll actually be healthier, but certainly that you should remove your polish for a couple of days every now and again, which I never do. Which is why as soon as I do take it off I want to reapply as soon as possible because they don’t look so appealing. However, I will try this and see if I get the same results . . .

I have used lemon juice with great success, too.  It seems to help with the dry skin, rough cuticles and with yellow discoloration.  I’ve also tried baking soda, it’s scrubbing power, deodorizing and lightening abilities have worked for me, too.