White nail tips look youthful and healthy. Stained nails can be embarrassing and unattractive. This article will help you with the ways in which you can make your nails look healthy, whiter and better.
By the end of this article, you’ll get to know the causes of yellow nails and staining of nails. You’ll also understand what you can do to remove the staining.
Table of Contents
Causes Of Discolored Or Yellow Nails
1. Health Factor
Nails can reveal a lot about your health. If you do not wear nail paint at all but still your nails are yellowish in colour then it may be a sign of serious health problems like diabetes, thyroid diseases, lung diseases and one of the most common causes of yellowish nails is the fungal infection.
2. Smoking
Smoking can lead to yellow tint in your nails as the substances like nicotine and tar sticks on to the hands and nails of the one who smokes while holding a cigarette.
Often tar( the color substance present in cigarette and tobacco) is responsible for brown stains on nails and nicotine is responsible for yellow stains. These stains continue to grow over years.
3. Use Of Nail Paints
Nail paints use dyes in their formulation. These dyes cause the discoloration of nails and lead them to turn yellow or brown color.
How To Whiten Yellow And Stained Nails Instantly?
1. Lemon And Baking Soda
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, acetic acid and has natural bleaching properties, these active ingredients make lemon stain fighter. And hence, it is used for whitening of nails.
How To Use It?
- Mix both the ingredients, lemon juice (about 1 tbsp) and baking soda (2-3 tbsp) and make a thick paste.
- Apply this paste on your nails and with the help of a soft toothbrush just scrub this paste on your nails.
- Keep it for 10-15 mins on your nails and then just rinse it.
- Apply a heavy moisturizer on your hands and fingertips to avoid the dryness.
2. Salt And Lemon Scrub
Lemon is known for its stain-fighting nature. When this stain fighting lemon is mixed with salt, it helps in whitening of your nails along with making it shinier.
How To Use It?
- Mix 1 tbsp of salt in 1 tbsp of lemon juice and prepare a sandy scrub.
- Apply this scrub on your nail plate and let it rest for 5 mins.
- Then wash it with lukewarm water. You will see the change in the first use.
- This method should be followed by moisturizer in the end to prevent the dryness.
3. Lemon Juice And Soap
Yes, you can use lemon juice with your liquid soap to get rid of stained nails.
How To Use It?
- Just mix the 1/4th cup of lemon juice to lukewarm water and then add 1-2 tbsp of liquid soap and mix it well.
- Soak your nails in this solution and then rinse well with lukewarm or warm water.
- Apply heavy moisturizer to your hand to avoid dryness.
4. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can prove to be a lifeguard for white nails. As its stain fighting properties help to remove the stains naturally.
How To Use It?
- Squeeze two lemons in two mini bowls and soak your nails or your fingertips in this lemon juice for approximately 10 mins.
- Then rinse your hands with lukewarm water and do not forget to apply a heavy moisturizer on your fingertips and hands.
5. White Vinegar
White vinegar can also make your nails white and beautiful.
How To Use It?
- Add one tbsp of white vinegar and mix it with a small cup of water.
- Soak your nails in this solution for about 5 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. (Don’t forget to moisturize your hands and nails after that).
6. Toothpaste
It just not whitens your teeth but also your nails. You can use any teeth whitening toothpaste or any normal toothpaste that is particularly white in color. Make sure that the toothpaste is not any gel based or colored toothpaste.
How To Use It?
- Take a little toothpaste in a soft toothbrush and gently rub on your fingertips and underneath your nails.
- Keep it for 5 mins and then just rinse it off.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda can also whiten your nails naturally.
How To Use It?
- Just make a smooth paste of baking soda and warm water.
- Apply it gently on your fingertips and don’t forget to apply it underneath your nails.
- Keep it for at least 5 mins and then just rinse it off.
- Moisturiser is a must after this method.
8. Orange Peel
It is yet another kitchen friendly ingredient. It’s a rich source of vitamin C which helps in removing stains from nails. It can be used in two ways-
- You can rub fresh orange peel directly to your nails two to three times daily. And it will start giving a visible result in 1-2 weeks.
- Use the dried orange peels. Grind dried orange peel and mix it with the little water to make a thick paste.
- Leave this paste on your fingertips for 10 mins.
- Use a soft toothbrush and scrub gently.
- Wash it with lukewarm water.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
The malic acid and acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar make it appropriate for removing stains of the nails. It also has an anti-fungal property which will help in treating any kind of nail infection.
How To Use It?
- Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar in half a cup of lukewarm water.
- Soak your hands in it for 20 mins and then wash it off with warm water.
- Followed by a heavy moisturizer.
- Do it two to three times daily to treat any nail infection or for discoloration of nails
This remedy will also stimulate the growth of your nails and will make your nails healthy.
10. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has whitening properties and can really prove to be helpful for whitening of nails.
How To Use It?
- Use 3% of hydrogen peroxide
- Add 2-3 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide to the half cup of water and mix them well.
- Soak your nails in this solution for about 2 minutes.
- Using a soft toothbrush, gently scrub the nails.
- Rinse them with water.
11. Baking Soda And Water
Baking soda and water when used for whitening of nails can provide results from the first use.
How To Use It?
- Mix 4 tbsp of baking soda to 1 tbsp of water.
- Make a sandy paste.
- Apply it on your nails and gently scrub using a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse it off using warm water.
12. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties this makes it is a good option to fight against yellow nails. The oil could help defeat infection and restore the beauty of your nails.
How To Use It?
- You can directly apply tea tree oil to your nail beds using an eye dropper.
- Let it rest on your nails for a few minutes (5-10 mins).
- Wash it off the lukewarm water.
13. Olive Oil, Baking Soda, And Lemon Juice
Olive oil, baking soda and Lemon juice.
Baking soda acts as a fine exfoliant while the lemon juice is a natural acidic lightener. Olive oil will bring moisture back to your nails and will make them healthier and better.
How To Use It?
- Take one tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of baking soda and ½ tbsp of olive oil.
- Mix them all together to get a paste-like consistency.
- Rub the mixture onto your hands
- Rinse your hands with lukewarm water.
14. Garlic
Garlic
If your nails are turning yellow because of fungal infection then garlic can be a solution. Garlic is a great way to fight even the most persistent nail fungal infection. Due to its anti-fungal properties and its easy availability, it tops the chart for fighting against nail fungal infection.
How To Use It?
- Crush some fresh cloves of garlic and rub it onto your nails.
- Keep it for 15-20 mins.
- Then wash it off with lukewarm water.
16. Listerine
Listerine mouthwash is not only useful for teeth but also for nails. This can be used for curing yellow nails.
How To Use It?
- Take warm water in a bowl and add about a ¼ bottle of Listerine to it.
- Soak your fingertips in it for about 20mins.
- Then wash it off with water.
17. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon Essential Oil brightens up your nails and also moistens your cuticles.
How To Use It?
- Take some oil in a bowl and then soak your nails in it for 15-20 mins.
- Then you can simply massage in the remaining oil.
- Keep it on for some time. (approximately 10-15 minutes)
- Wash your hands with a mild hand wash, followed by moisturizing.
18. Vicks
Vicks you use for a bad throat and cold can cure your discolored nails too.
How To Use It?
- Apply Vicks on your nails and then massage twice a day.
- Then wash it off, and the results will amaze you.
19. Onion Peel
Onion Peel
Onion peel will help in making your nails whiter and will also curb the possibility of fungal growth.
How To Use It?
- Rub an onion peel on your nails regularly. (You can do this while cooking too!)
- And keep it for some time and then wash it off with regular water.
20. Alcohol
Alcohol
Maybe overdo of alcohol causes nail discoloration but you can also use alcohol for treating them.
How To Use It?
- Pour alcohol in a bowl and soak your nails in it for about 10-15 minutes.
- Wash it off with a mild hand wash.
- Do not forget to moisturize them.
21. Balanced Diet
balanced Diet
A diet can also prove to be beneficial for nails. The way your body, skin, and hair needs a balanced diet, in the same way, your nails also need a diet for their health. Include more probiotics like yogurt in the diet.
The well-balanced diet should also constitute a mix of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It should contain essential vitamins and nutrients that help improve immunity against infections.
Do’s And Don’ts Of Healthy Nails
Do’s
-
Do Follow A Balanced Diet
Nails are made of up protein, so the richer is your diet in protein, better will be the health of your nails. Eating fish, beef, spinach and dairy products which are high in protein are good for the health of nails and body.
-
Do Keep Your Nails And Hands Moisturised
One should always apply moisturizer after washing hands. Moisturizing keeps nails and hands healthy, hydrated and glossy. Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for hands and nails.
-
Do Be Aware Of The Products That You Are Using For Your Nails
The products used for styling and decorating nails must be low in its chemical composition as the higher is the chemical content the greater is the harm to natural colour and texture of nails.
Don’ts
1. Don’t Use Your Nails As Your Tool
We have a very common habit of using nails as our personal tool. We try to do so much with our nails. Opening the lid of an airtight container, scratching tape around the letters.
But this habit can lead to poor health of your nails. The White area of the nails, which is also known as stress area eventually gets weak and brittle while stressing over our nails
2. Don’t Peel Off Nail Polishes
Peeling or scratching nail polishes may lead to damage to your nail bed. It also makes the surface harsh and steals away the shine and natural gloss of your nails
3. Don’t Overdo With Washing Your Hands And Use Of Sanitizer
We often use sanitizer almost every hour in our lives. But excessive use of sanitizer may cause dryness and this dryness can affect the health of nails.
Sanitizers should be used carefully and very frequent contact of sanitizer with nails should be avoided.
Bottom Line
Nails are as important as your skin, hair and rest of your body. They add charm to your beauty. But the day to day activities is enough to stain them and to make them brittle. So, with a little care and a little concern you can achieve the most beautiful nails.
All you need is a proper diet, a few home remedies and a little distance from your beloved nail paints can make them beautiful, whiter and shinier. Stop treating them as a tool for scratching your head and back and treat them as the asset to your beauty.
Also Read:
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Hangnails
What Is Spoon Shaped Nails? How To Get Rid Of Them Naturally
