Nails can easily become stained or discolored for many different reasons, from the dirt that they are exposed to on a daily basis to the nail polishes that you apply. When it comes to safely whitening nails, there are a number of different options that you can choose from, with each one helping to achieve healthy and youthful nails.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes were created to whiten teeth, and are slightly abrasive to help remove stubborn stains. When it comes to nails, whitening toothpastes work in exactly the same way, and can be applied by using a baby toothbrush. Scrub your nails for a couple of minutes, in the same way you would your teeth, before rinsing. Just like with teeth, you will need to do this a number of times before you notice any results.
Nail Whitening Pencil
Nail whitening pencils are easy to use, and give you a clean, French manicure look. Each time you want to use the pencil, you simply moisten the tip and use it to draw under each nail, instantly whitening them. Use a Q-tip to tidy up your cuticles afterwards, and, if you do this regularly every day or so, the results will last for quite a few weeks, depending on the brand of pencil you buy.
Nail Brush
Using a nail brush cleans your nails, instantly making them appear slightly whiter. Run the brush under warm water before beginning, as this softens the bristles, before applying a liquid soap to it. Hold it in your hand and place the bristles underneath your fingernails, running the brush back and forth to create a lather, before rinsing it with warm water and repeating on your other hand.
Commercial Denture Cleaner
Just like with toothpastes, denture cleaners have been designed to strip away stains from any hard and white surfaces, such as your nails. They are easy to use, and simply involve dissolving a denture cleaner tablet in some warm water, before soaking your hands in this for five minutes, and then rinsing. You should do this a couple of times a week, as this makes the results whiter and brighter each time.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is extremely acidic, and is able to dissolve the tiny particles that create a stain on your fingernails. Mixing some lemon juice, gentle liquid soap, and warm water will give you the best results, as the soap binds with all of the debris that the lemon juice lifts, making it easier to wash it all away afterwards. Use this mixture with a toothbrush to scrub at your nails, rinsing and repeating if necessary. However, if you have any small cuts on your fingers, it may be best to give this method a miss until they heal, as they can become quite painful if they come into contact with the acidic lemon juice.
There are many different ways to go about whitening nails, and since discolored nails can be caused by so many varied factors, you may need to try a combination of these methods before finding one that works for you. Whether you brush your nails after brushing your teeth, or give them a lemon juice soak every week, these techniques are all effective when it comes to whitening nails.
