THE NAIL FILES: PROBLEM #1 YELLOW NAILS


SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF DISCOLORED NAILS
5 Reasons Your Nails Might Be Turning Yellow—Plus THE REMEDY THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

Nails looking a little yellow lately? Turns out, you’re not alone. Yellowing of the nails is more common than you might think, in fact doctors and manicurists see this on the daily. And while nails can go yellow for a bunch of different reasons—some cosmetic, others medical—in most cases it's NBD. That said, as with any skin issue, if your yellow nail problem persists, it’s always a smart idea to make an appointment with your dermatologist or podiatrist and have them give a look-see.




REASON #1: Dark Lacquer Overload

We all love dark polish, especially during these frigid winter months, but sometimes your signature red can leave a lasting impression—and not in a good way. One of the most common reasons nails may start to take on an unattractive amber tinge is staining triggered by excessive use of dark nail polish or polish that is left on for an extended period of time—or both. Highly pigmented polishes can react with the natural keratin in your nails and leach into the nail plate, leaving them looking yellow and discolored. Also not using a good base coat can definitely exacerbate the problem.

THE FIX: In most cases, taking a polish vacation for a week or two should get you back on track, a month to give really stubborn stains a chance to grow out. Also, switching off between lighter and darker hues can help keep yellowing to a minimum. And since we are all about being proactive here, an easy first step to help prevent this problem from popping up as a result of future manis is to use a salon-quality base coat like TOTAL Two-in-One, which creates a protective barrier that keeps the surface of your nails strong, healthy—and keeps yellowing to a minimum.

REASON #2: Acetone-Based Remover

Acetone-based nail polish remover can also be to blame for your nails taking on a yellow hue. We know it may sound counterintuitive, but if left on the nails too long, like when you soak them to remove gel or stubborn polish, chemicals in these formulas can actually help polish bond to the surface of the nails, leaving them dry and discolored.

THE FIX: Switching to a non-acetone enriched nail polish remover option such as REMEDY Remover Acetone-Free Enriched Nail Polish Remover, which is packed with vitamins and protein is a healthier swap out for traditional formulas.

 

REASON #3: Physical Stains

A yellow tint on fingers and fingernails is a dead giveaway that you are or were a smoker. You can thank the tar, found in tobacco smoke for that. Other everyday habits that you might not realize can leave yellow-stained nails behind are cooking with certain spices (hello, saffron and turmeric) and applying beauty products like self-tanner, hair color and henna.

THE FIX: Fortunately these are an easy fix: Grab yourself a pair of rubber gloves and um, time to ditch the habit (cough cough).

REASON #4: Vitamin Deficiency

We know, eating a balanced diet is easier said than done, but if you are running low on essential vitamins such as Zinc, Vitamin E or Vitamin B12, that could be the culprit for your yellow nails. Luckily this is easily identified with routine blood work and few supplements.

THE FIX: Aim for an inside out approach to tackling your yellowing nails with Dr.’s Remedy Nails and Skin Vitamin Enriched Nail Supplement. Fortified with the known beauty powerhouse Biotin, plus a slew of other nutrients, it not only helps support healthy nail growth, it also repairs damaged cells and helps create new tissue, which comes in handy when you’re waiting for the discolored part of your nail to grow out.

 

REASON #5: Fungal infection

Turns out the most common medical-based reason for your nails turning a funky yellow hue could be blamed on a fungal infection. But before you freak out, consider this: over 30 million people are dealing with this issue as well. And it is easily treated with a trip to the podiatrist or dermatologist. Found most commonly in toenails, fungus can cause debris to build up underneath the nail, creating discoloration as well as thickening of the nail.

THE FIX: The perfect companion to a visit to your podiatrist is Dr.’s Remedy Anti-fungal CARESS Cuticle Oil. The ultra soothing and super nourishing formula boasts an organic blend of comforting Lavender Oil, antioxidant-rich Grape Seed Oil, Algae Extract and purifying Tea Tree Oil, while Undecylenic Acid—a powerful fatty acid—acts as the first line of defense against nail fungus.

 

DIY YELLOW NAIL REMEDIES TO TRY

Help yourself! Check out some of the popular home remedies that people swear by when it comes to solving your yellow nail problems—pronto.

  • coat nails in a paste made by mixing hot water and baking soda for 20 minutes
  • soak discolored nails in vinegar
  • dip discolored nails in a diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide and hot water (3-4 tbsp hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup of water) for 2 minutes. Then, gently scrub the nail with a soft toothbrush and rinse with water. Repeat twice weekly.

PREVENTION is key.

Below, a few handy tips to help prevent yellow nails from happening in the first place.

  • pay special attention to your toes and toenails when showering by scrubbing them with a nail brush to remove bacteria and debris hiding in nooks and crannies and dry thoroughly.
  • sterilize nail clippers before each use.
  • wear clean socks and clean shoes that fit comfortably without squeezing toes.
  • exercise on the regular to boost blood flow and air out your workout shoes ASAP after each use.

TREND SPOTTING

TAKE A LOOK ON THE BRIGHTSIDE Yellow nails are not always a bad thing, in fact two of our favorite shades are members of the yellow family. These days, we’ll do anything for a little calm. And what’s more Zen than a soft, soothing shade of yellow? For pale complexions, a creamy yellow elongates the look of your fingers while also being naturally flattering on darker skin tones.

TWO to TRY:

TACTFUL Turmeric Enriched Nail Polish Who can resist a creamy bright tangerine bursting with sun-kissed radiance?

SWEET Soleil Enriched Nail Polish This soothing-yet-cheerful pastel yellow was clearly designed to brighten your day.


TO COMMENT or REQUEST A TOPIC CLICK HERE  |  POSTED BY: Dr. Adam Cirlincione & Dr. William Spielfogel