Magazine for the professional nail industry.
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94 | NAILS MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017 Since this is a cosmetic issue, I always tell patients that they have two choices when it comes to treatment. They can take a nail polish holiday and take action to try to lighten the nail or they can cover it with polish. Those interested in treatment have a few options. If the stains are severe, they can be lightened by using a dilution of hydrogen peroxide (H202). Combine three to four tablespoons of H202 and 1/2 cup of water and mix well, then soak nails for two minutes. Using a soft toothbrush, gently scrub the surface of the nails. Rinse with water. Repeat two to three times per week as needed. Alternatively, you can use a whitening toothpaste as these are formulated with hydrogen peroxide. A third option is the Dr. DANA Nail Renewal System. Step 01 contains glycolic acid and combined with our Step 02 Perfect Grit Priming Wand, the system is very effective at removing nail discoloration. Avoiding polish is essential during the treatment period. To prevent staining from occurring in the first place, it's imperative to keep the nail surface healthy. Over-filing can theoretically lead to increase pigment leaching into the nail. Don't forget to use a good base coat unless the product specifies that one is not needed. In most instances, a good quality base coat will create a protective barrier layer for the nail plate. Lastly, try to remove polish quickly. If you need to rub for 10 minutes, then the pigments have a better opportunity to leach into the nail. Quickly remove the polish and wash hands immediately. Other non-medical causes of nail yellowing include staining from exposure to ingredients such as tobacco, tanning products, or henna. In these cases, a thorough exposure history will usually uncover the yellowing culprit. WHEN IT'S MORE THAN COSMETIC There are several causes of nail yellowing that are due to medical conditions, the most common being fungal infections of the nail. Fungal infections can make the nails thick, yellow, and crumbly. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to successful treatment. Nail fungus (onychomycosis) affects approximately 35 million people in the United States. You Prolonged polish wear was the cause of yellowing on this toenail. go to www.nailsmag.com/ NAGtablet for your FREE SUBSCRIPTION IS THE ONLY MAGAZINE FOR S ! F R E E Subscription 100% DIGITAL View on your PC, on an iPad or tablet, or download and save for later viewing!