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Caring for our fingernails and toenails is often an afterthought, says professional nail technician Titilayo Bankole. Many of us don't think of maintaining our nails the way we do our teeth and hair.

But they deserve more attention (and not just in the form of fun nail art). Our nails are essential to our daily lives.

"If you lose a nail, try picking up a coin off the floor. Try buttoning your shirt. It's almost impossible to do," says Dr. Shari Lipner, a professor of clinical dermatology and director of the nail division at Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Here are tips to keep your nails healthy and strong.

Polish up your nail health

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☝️ Leave your cuticles alone. Your cuticle is an important protective barrier that stops bacteria or debris from getting under your skin and interfering with nail growth.

If you have to manage them, dermatologist Dr. Dana Stern recommends gently pushing your cuticles back with a washcloth after showering or bathing to soften the skin. That will keep them looking neat and clean without ripping away the protective barrier.

✂️ Clip straight across your nail to avoid an ingrown nail, which is when the nail curves and grows into your skin. Then even out the sharp edges with a glass or crystal nail file. (Unlike cardboard emery files, which can lead to breaks, splits and peeling in the nail, glass or crystal files create a perfectly sealed, smooth edge to the nail, Stern says.)

✨ Easy on the buffing. Some people also like to buff their nails after cutting, and a light buff can promote healthy growth and increase shine. That's fine, says Stern, but be gentle and sparing — overdoing it can thin out and weaken your nail plate, the hard, visible part of the nail.

💅 Take a break from manicures and pedicures. They can be tough on nails. Acetone-based polish removers can cause brittleness with frequent use. And hard gels or heavy acrylics can potentially weaken or damage your nails, especially over long periods of time.

Nail your nail health!

More body care tips from Life Kit

Beck Harlan/NPR

Alleviate your achy feet. Foot care professionals share exercises that can reduce the risk of injury, prevent and alleviate pain, and improve overall foot health. Give them a try the next time your dogs are barking. Read the story.

Dental care 101. We asked experts to answer five questions about how to properly care for your teeth. Here's what they said about finding a dentist, whitening your teeth at home, and whether daily flossing is necessary. Read the story.

A guide to bathing and showering. Washing your body seems like a no-brainer. But once you get into the details, things get complicated. Dermatologists offer surprising advice on how often to shower, when to toss your loofah and more. Read the comic.

Prevent eye strain. You can strain your eyes if you stare at a screen for too long, say eye doctors — and that can cause eye fatigue, headaches and blurry vision. Nip those symptoms in the bud with these eye care tips. Read the comic.

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Letters from our inbox

Beck Harlan/NPR

Got something you want to share with Life Kit? Email us at lifekit@npr.org. These letters have been edited for length and clarity.

A response to our episode on pronouncing names correctly

I completely relate to the experience of having a name that is mispronounced daily. I often find myself using an easier name like "Nancy" for things as simple as a pizza order just to avoid the hassle.

When it comes to correcting people, I find that my decision usually depends on the person’s attitude; I’m happy to provide the correct pronunciation to those who are genuinely interested, but I often let it slide otherwise. It is definitely a unique challenge to navigate.

— Nadege C. Uwineza (nah-DEZH — ”dege” rhymes with “beige” — oo-wee-NAY-zah)

A response to our episode on solo travel

I just finished listening to your episode on planning a big trip, and it was absolutely perfect. I am in the process of planning my first solo trip abroad, and I am going to France next fall.

I listened with great interest to your experts' advice and am thrilled to say that I seem to be doing this just right. I'm focusing on Paris, Nancy and Colmar, with lots of free time to explore and determine what I really want to see and do while I'm there. I loved the advice to just pick one activity per day and fill in around that.

— Cam Goldman

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Quote of the week: Supporting a friend who wants to vent

"A lot of people think the way to be supportive of someone else is to allow them to express their emotions," says Ethan Kross, a psychologist, neuroscientist and the author of Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don't Manage You. ⁠
⁠
"There's been a lot of research on the emotional consequences of that. What we've learned is that it's not that simple. Venting sometimes can make things worse," he says. ⁠
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If you really want to help a friend deal with their feelings, be what Kross calls an "emotional adviser." Let your friend share what they're going through so you can learn about their experience and empathize with them. ⁠

Listen to Kross' interview with Life Kit

In case you missed it

LenLis/Getty Images

🚺 4 women's health myths, debunked by doctors. Do women really need to focus on cardio? Worry about heart health? Do a yearly mammogram? Meghan Rabbitt, author of the new book The New Rules of Women's Health, sets the record straight. Listen to the episode.

💵 Want to protect your money? Diversify your investments. When it comes to investing money, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread out your investments among different types of assets and sectors, so you're not overexposed if one of them takes a hit. In this episode, we'll walk you through different types of assets, how your investment strategy should change depending on your age and needs, and a simple rule of thumb to calculate your stock versus bond allocation. Listen to the episode.

🌞 How to plan your dream vacation. Sometimes you crave a vacation — but actually taking one feels out of reach. Maybe you're struggling to find the time or save up the money. Or maybe you just can't seem to launch those plans out of the group chat. Overcome that planning inertia and take the big trip of your dreams. Here's where to start your search, organize your logistics and enjoy yourself. Listen to the episode.

Look out 👀 for these upcoming topics

We’re working hard on new episodes. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect from Life Kit in the coming weeks.

🚙 Cheaper car insurance
💸 Avoid tax scams
❤️‍🩹 Perimenopause

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