How to Trim Fingernails and Toenails

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Keeping your fingernails and toenails properly trimmed is not only important for maintaining a neat and tidy appearance, but it also promotes good hygiene and health. Long nails can be prone to breakage and can harbor dirt and bacteria, leading to infections. However, trimming nails can be a daunting task for many, especially if you’re unsure of the proper techniques and tools to use. In this guide, we will explore step-by-step instructions on how to trim your fingernails and toenails effectively, ensuring your nails stay healthy and well-groomed. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your nail trimming skills, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information to achieve salon-quality results from the comfort of your own home.

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Trimming fingernails and toenails is very important. If it grows too long and is not trimmed, the nails will be very sharp, jagged and very dangerous. You don’t need to cut your nails too short, but trim them neatly every few weeks to ensure healthy growth. Continue reading this article for tips and methods that you can use to take care of your nails.

Table of Contents

Steps

Prepare to cut nails

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Wash hands and feet. Soak nails for a few minutes before cutting – this will make them softer and easier to cut. If the nail is less brittle, it is also less likely to crack. Dry hands and feet after washing. You can trim your nails while they’re still wet, but you’ll find it easier to control the cut once your nails are dry.

• This step is extremely important for toenails. Toenails are usually thicker and harder than fingernails, especially the thumb.

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Select the cutting tool. You can use nail clippers or nail clippers. The choice of tool will depend on individual preferences. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each tool while choosing:

• Nail clippers are inexpensive, easy to use, and available everywhere. The nail clipper will help you cut along the curve of the nail, which is convenient when the clipper fits the nail, but it is very uncomfortable when the tip is too big or too small. ^{[1] X Research Source} Toenail clippers usually have larger tips and are not too curved to fit the thickness of the nail and prevent ingrown toenails.
• Nail scissors are less common than nail clippers, but some people prefer to use them. You will need to be more skillful when trimming nails with scissors. However, you will easily control when you want to cut according to the curve. As the name suggests, nail scissors are usually suitable for nail care. You will need to use a larger nail clipper for your toenails.
• Medical facilities advise us not to use sharp objects such as ordinary knives, razors or scissors to cut nails because they are too dangerous. If these tools slip out of your hands, they will damage the skin around the nail.

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Make sure your nail clippers are clean. If possible, purchase a set of nail clippers and use each set separately for fingernails and toenails. Clean nail clippers regularly with a sterile product to keep them clean. Dishwashing liquid or antibacterial soap both work: simply soak your nail clippers for about 10 minutes in a bowl of hot, soapy water. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Choose the place to cut your nails carefully. You need to set aside a place to collect the nail clippings you just cut because you will upset others if you let the nail clippings all over the floor. Nails can be cut right at the trash or compost bin. Keep your hands or feet above the barrel while cutting and don’t forget to pick up any nail clippings that fall out. Don’t cut your nails in public and avoid cutting them around people who are talking.

• You can use fingernails and toenails to compost. Although only a few nails, they are organic and will decompose on their own. Do not compost with artificial (acrylic) or painted nails because artificial materials are non-biodegradable. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Cut nails

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Trim your nails regularly but don’t be too aggressive. Nails grow about 2.5mm per month, which means it will take 3-6 months for the nails to fully grow. ^{[4] X Research Source} If you trim your nails regularly – like every week or two – there’s no need to worry about your nails growing too long or unevenly. If the nail is causing pain in the corner, it may be an ingrown nail; You should cut off the painful part of the nail before it gets too deep, but it’s safer to get medical help.

Nail sand. The purpose of nail trimming is to cut the “elongated part” from the nail: the curved, milky part at the tip of the finger. Cut across the nail and trim the corners to keep the nail strong. With a cross cut, you will reduce the risk of ingrown toenails. ^{[5] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

• If you like to strut your guitar with your fingertips, keep your fingernails long. Let each nail of the hand used for plucking grow to about 1.5 to 2mm long.

Cut each nail piece. You should only cut small pieces on the nail; Don’t try to cut all long nails in one go. Toenails are usually oval in shape, and cutting them all at once will destroy the oval. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Feet nail cutting. Use the same technique as when trimming fingernails to trim toenails. Toenails are usually thicker than fingernails, so you can’t use nail clippers that are too small. Trim your nails horizontally, but cutting too deep can cause injury, and for people with diabetes, hospitalization may be required. If possible, you should not use the same nail clippers for your fingernails and toenails to avoid spreading bacteria between your feet and hands.

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Be careful not to cut the nail too deep. Sometimes you will still want to keep trimming your nails (for convenience, aesthetics, or compulsion) even after the long nail is removed. However, if you cut your nails too deep, you will expose the sensitive skin under the nail and increase the risk of infection. Try to cut the nail to the tip of your finger or cut it but leave a small chiseled part of the nail. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Nail file

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File nails after cutting. You don’t have to file your nails, but this step will help shape your nails the way you want them to. When you cut your nails, you will leave a jagged edge, but it is easy to file for a flat nail. Use a nail file, pumice stone, or any hard, rough surface to file.

• Jagged nails will hook into clothes, socks and stockings. If you put the hooks on something, they can tear or break.

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Wait for the nail to dry. You need to wait until the nail is dry and hard. Filing wet nails will make the nails rough and uneven after drying, leading to scratching and cracking.

Nail file. Use a nail file to shape the nail and keep the edge of the nail flat. Always file your nails lightly, with a long line from the sides to the center of the nail. Use the rough side to help shape the nail first if you want to file for a shorter nail, then use the smoother side to file for a smooth finish.

• Nails should be roughly triangular or oval without being sharp. This will prevent the nail from breaking. Nails will weaken if you file too deep into corners and edges.

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Check the nail while doing it. When trimming or filing your nails, you should regularly check your nails to make sure they are the same length and shape. Make sure the nail is smooth; Sharp or rough nails will hurt you and cause inconvenience in daily life. Continue cutting and filing until the nails are even.

Advice

• You should smooth your nails with balm or cream every night. This will help retain moisture for the nail, so that the nail does not peel and scratch. An economical yet effective alternative to oil is to use a small drop of olive oil.
• Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes. The main cause of soft nails is soaking in water. If your nails are wet and soft then you should be careful and wait for them to dry.
• Polish to smooth nails. Massage your nails with cuticle cream to keep cuticles healthy and hydrated.
• Clean the bottom of the nail with a cotton swab with a sharp tip. Using a cotton swab to clean is gentler than using a nail brush to reduce the risk of irritating the sensitive skin underneath the nail.
• There is a special nail clipper for toenails. Conventional nail clippers are all slightly curved, but toenail clippers are usually flat to reduce ingrown toenails.
• Apply hand cream after each hand wash. The oil in the cream will help keep the nails moist.
• To prevent dirt from getting on your nails while gardening or doing work that gets your hands dirty, you can scratch your nails on a bar of soap. The part below the nail will be filled with soap and cannot get dirty.
• If you have weak nails, try applying base coat and top coat underneath the tip to make your nails stronger.
• If you paint your nails after cutting, you can spray a little nonstick cooking solution to increase the shine and make the polish dry faster.
• Don’t forget to clean underneath your nails so bacteria doesn’t breed there.
• The proper nail length for each hand is just slightly longer than the tip of the finger.

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Warning

• When trimming nails, don’t cut them too quickly. Always check to make sure you’re not cutting into the skin or cutting too deeply.
• Do not cut your nails too deep to cause bleeding. You need to leave some nails to prevent bacterial nail infections.
• Before you cut or file your nails, you should clean the tools. Just soak the tool in hot soapy water for about 10 minutes.
• Do not bite your nails; This will cause ingrown fingernails and toenails.

Things you need

• Clean, sharp nail and pedicure clippers
• Trash or compost bin for nail clipping
• Bowl of water to soak fingernails and toenails
• Cuticle remover and nail care products
• Nail File

X

wikiHow is a “wiki” site, which means that many of the articles here are written by multiple authors. To create this article, 50 people, some of whom are anonymous, have edited and improved the article over time.

There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 31,787 times.

Trimming fingernails and toenails is very important. If it grows too long and is not trimmed, the nails will be very sharp, jagged and very dangerous. You don’t need to cut your nails too short, but trim them neatly every few weeks to ensure healthy growth. Continue reading this article for tips and methods that you can use to take care of your nails.

In conclusion, proper nail trimming is not only a matter of aesthetics but also of maintaining good hygiene and preventing infections. Taking the time to trim fingernails and toenails correctly can go a long way in ensuring the overall health of your nails and preventing common issues such as ingrown nails and fungal infections. By following the steps outlined in this guide and incorporating regular nail maintenance into your self-care routine, you can keep your nails looking neat, clean, and healthy. Remember, though nail trimming may seem like a minor task, it is an essential part of overall personal grooming and should not be overlooked. So, take care of your nails, and they will take care of you!

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