According to a Japanese expert, most people are trimming their nails incorrectly.
Dr. Masataka Saito, a dermatologist at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, has shared that many individuals are cutting their fingernails and toenails the wrong way. This is primarily because they are cutting their nails too short. The correct approach to trimming nails is to prevent foot-related issues.
The correct approach to trimming nails is to prevent foot-related issues.
Here are 5 tips from Masataka Saito:
- 1. Trim your nails as soon as possible after bathing, as this is when they are soft and easiest to cut.
- 2. Start at the tip and carefully trim the nails a little at a time to avoid horizontal splitting.
- 3. Cut your nails to form a square shape.
- 4. Ensure the length of your nails matches the length of your toes.
- 5. Do not round off the corners of your nails.
The first two tips may seem normal to some people. However, many individuals are making mistakes with tips 3 to 5.
Starting from the fourth tip, if you trim your nails shorter than your toes, the skin at the front of your feet will continuously rub against your shoes throughout the day. This can cause your toes to swell and blister. Additionally, it may prevent your toenails from growing straight and gradually lead to nail deformities, causing pain as the toenails grow longer and curve.
The correct way to trim fingernails and toenails.
Points three and five are also interconnected. While you may prefer the aesthetic of neatly trimmed nails with rounded corners, cutting the corners of your fingernails and toenails can lead to them getting caught in the flesh at the tip of your toes, resulting in inflammation and pain.
Of course, the warning against cutting nails too short does not mean you should allow them to grow freely. If your nails are too long, you may also experience discomfort, such as foot irritation when wearing shoes. It’s best to keep toenails at a moderate length.
Although the illustrations do not specifically mention the big toe, Dr. Masataka Saito states that this is the ideal shape for trimming all your fingernails and toenails.
We hope Dr. Saito’s insights will help you take better care of your nails.
