If you are unlucky to have nails that are easy to yellow and often break, you can refer to the 10 ways to whiten your nails at home below.
Many people love French manicure with natural long nails with white tips and perfectly polished cuticles. However, this fresh nail style needs a necessary and sufficient element: That is, your nails must be white, clean and not yellow. If you are unlucky to have nails that are easy to yellow and often break before you can put on a beautiful white French nail design, then you can refer to the 10 ways to whiten your nails at home below.
10 ways to whiten nails at home
Nails are quite porous, so it’s not uncommon for them to turn yellow when exposed to nail polish, dirt and grime while doing daily chores. And your toenails, too, are extremely susceptible to yellowing as a result of abuse because they often get trapped inside shoes and socks for long periods of time. To keep the tips of your nails looking even and bright, you need to whiten the area underneath your nails while gently brushing away surface stains.
Finger and toenail whitening is an art, not a science. There are many ways you can whiten your nails at home, but the easiest way is to experiment with some ingredients from your kitchen cabinets. Here are some of my favorite ways to whiten nails without harsh chemicals.
1. Remove stains
Sometimes stains are simply superficial and don’t require deep soaking to fix. If you see noticeable stains instead of the usual yellowing, try polishing your nails gently before using the brightener.
Using the smooth side of the polishing block, keep it parallel to your nail and follow a quick X shape on your nail, applying a gentle amount. Since nails can weaken quite quickly, only about 6 strokes per nail and no more strokes should be done.
2. Soak in hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide aka hydrogen peroxide is a natural brightener that, when used with care, can gently whiten nails without damaging the underlying layers or resulting in toenails.
Just pour one part water and one part hydrogen peroxide into a small bowl. Place your finger or toe in the bowl so that the nail is completely covered and soak for 15 minutes. Wash. Repeat daily until nails are whiter and stains are gone.
If using longer than 3-4 days, use sweet almond or coconut oil to moisturize and keep cuticles from drying out.
3. Try tea tree oil
Essential oils are very nourishing for your nails and they are also a favorite tip for uncomplicated at-home whitening. Some are even added with antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Put a drop or two of tea tree oil on your nails and let it soak into your nails. Rinse off after 5 to 10 minutes if you have sensitive skin, or leave it on all day and reapply if necessary until nails are bright enough. Continue applying for several weeks to see amazing results.
If tea tree oil isn’t available, you can also try using a citrus essential oil, such as lemon or grapefruit, which also has skin-lightening properties.
4. Strawberries
We’ve been using strawberries to whiten our teeth for years, but it turns out they can whiten nails too!
Cut a fresh strawberry in half and rub it gently on the surface of each nail. Leave for 5-10 minutes and then rinse under warm water.
If you don’t see the quick results you want, mash 4 strawberries in a small bowl and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Apply a thin layer to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wash.
5. Use whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is not just for teeth. Turns out it can also lighten nails.
Rub some toothpaste into your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes. Once the time is up, take a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub your nails under warm running water. Repeat for several days, if needed, to remove stubborn stains.
6. Vacuum stains with activated carbon + bentonite clay
Both activated charcoal and bentonite clay can absorb toxins and stains, which can make nails look paler.
To use, combine 1-2 teaspoons of activated charcoal or bentonite clay (you can always mix them together, but that may be overkill) with just enough water to form a liquid paste. . Apply to nails and let it sit for a few minutes. Gently massage nails before rinsing.
7. Rub with lemon juice and baking soda
Lemon juice and baking soda are the ultimate remedy for yellowed nails: lemon juice helps remove long-lasting stains while baking soda removes spot discoloration.
Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of baking soda (add more lime juice, if you prefer a smoother mixture). Apply to the tip of the nail and just below the tip of each nail. Leave the mixture on for a few minutes, then massage it gently onto your nails before rinsing it off with warm water.
8. Use teeth whitening solution
It may sound weird, but denture soaks are super effective at whitening stubborn nail discolorations. Take a few denture whitening soaks and put them in a small bowl of warm water.
Once it’s finished a bit, dip your fingertips in the water and let them soak. Relax for 10-15 minutes and then wash off.
Repeat once a day until the nail color lightens and the stain fades away. Be sure to use nourishing cuticle oil to lock in moisture and prevent flaking.
9. Soak in vinegar
Yellow nails can be a sign of a fungal nail infection. Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties and has been shown to help treat athlete’s foot and nail fungus. You can use any type of vinegar, but raw apple cider vinegar has probiotic properties, which can help kill bacteria with just a punch or two.
The recipe is very simple: combine 1 cup of water and 4-5 tablespoons of apple cider or white vinegar in a small pot. Soak your feet for 10 minutes, then gently pat them dry. Repeat daily for best results.
10. Prevent stains with a base coat
Prevention is sometimes the best medicine. Once you have successfully whitened your nails, continue to paint and apply a base coat to seal the nail and prevent further yellowing. Not only does it make nails whiter for longer, but it also strengthens nails so they last longer without chipping, breaking or peeling.
Frequently asked questions about nail whitening
How can I whiten my nails really fast?
For fastest results, I recommend using teeth whitening strips. Because it contains both brighteners and abrasives, it can brighten nails in as little as 10 minutes. Just be careful not to overdo it or else it can weaken your nails and dry your cuticles.
Will bleach whiten my nails?
Bleach is quite toxic (not to mention caustic!) and should not be used in homemade beauty treatments. Instead, try hydrogen peroxide, which has natural skin-lightening properties.
Can I still whiten my nails if they are weak and brittle?
Even homemade whitening treatments can dry out nails, making brittleness worse. Therefore, it is best to nourish and strengthen nails before lightening the color. Use cuticle butter to add moisture.
And try repairing nails from the inside out with the help of vitamins for hair, skin and nails. After a few weeks, go ahead and try some gentle lightening treatments on your nails, just watch for signs of peeling or weakening.
