Q&A for How to Cut Your Fingernails and Toenails

Don't cut the entire nail in 1 go—this will unnecessarily bend and weaken your nail at the sides. Instead, cut each nail multiple times, working from 1 side of the nail to the other.

The real solution to growing nails is time + not breaking your nails. That means no biting or picking your nails. Always keep nail polish on your nails to create an extra layer of protection, especially when your nails are in water because they will get softened. You could apply jojoba oil to your nails to make them sturdy, just apply it around and under your nails three times a day. You could also watch and subscribe to Simply Nailogical. She has very long nails and has a video on growing your nails as long as hers.

Quickly clean the wound and cover with a band aid. If the bleeding doesn't stop after a few minutes, contact a doctor.

It's best to trim your nails in a place that's private and not near food-related areas. This could be a bathroom or a bedroom. Be sure to dispose of any clippings.

Fingernails and toenails grow at a steady rate whether you cut them or not. If you want longer nails, cut them less often. Short nails prevent too much dirt from sticking under long fingernails.

Take a nail file, and hold it against the tip of your nail. Gently move it to the side, then bring it back to the tip of your nail. Do not sweep your file back and forth across your nail, as this can damage it. Start with a coarser file to get the shape, and finish off with a finer grit to smooth the nail.

Look up pictures of nice, healthy cut nails and try to work from them! It takes practice, but putting time into your appearance makes a big difference. You could go to a spa and get a manicure and pedicure. They'll be able to fix your nails and get them looking healthy; then you'll be able to have something to work off of. Ask whoever's doing your nails for tips too.

Usually the pharmacy can offer good advice on what tool would be appropriate.

Try to only cut straight, and do not cut along the rose part. It is normal that you have your "white nail" in the edges of your toe/finger.

It really depends on the person. I have to cut my toenails every 1-2 weeks because I dance on pointe, so I don't want to stand on my toenails instead of my toes. My friend cuts her toe nails once a month or so because she doesn't do any sports.

The best thing to do if you have an ingrown toenail is to go see your doctor and see what she/he can do before it digs in deeper.

An individual should start cutting their fingers when the nail hangs approximately one centimeter from the tips of their fingers, for the sake of both safety and practicality.

Use a toenail grinder.

I would recommend cutting your fingernails every week. When they grow past the tips of your fingers, they are too long. Toenails should be cut every 3 or 4 weeks, following the same rule. Don't cut the corners too much; this can cause ingrown toenails, which are very painful.

Try to cut around it but if it continues to hurt after a few days, you will need to see a doctor.

Every 2 - 3 weeks, depending on how fast the nails grow.

Nerve endings in your fingers and toes are very sensitive to touch.

Yes. It decreases the chance of an ingrown toenail, but if you would prefer to remove the sharp corners on the side, it would be wise to cut the edges into small curves with a manicure cutter, as they are small and suitable for cutting a thin small nail.

You can get a nail file at a pharmacy or grocery store in the personal care aisle.

About once a week, unless you're trying to let them grow long, and then only as needed, such as if the nail is chipped.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do. You can try to put ice on them to ease the pain, but it should subside on its own. Be careful not to over-cut them next time.

You will still be able to paint them, but they may be slightly painful until they grow back a little bit.

I think your nails might be weak. When they split, cut them with nail clippers or nail scissors. Don't use nail hardener, soak them in olive oil 15 minutes per day.

Soak your fingers and toes in a container filled with warm water for about twenty minutes. This should be long enough to soften the nails, in turn allowing for them to be easily trimmed. Use sturdy nail clippers to cut the nails.

A little cuticle oil/cream should help to soften that.

You can put your nail clippings in the trash or compost bin after you cut them.

Hold the trimmer horizontally with the cutting unit facing either up down. Trim hairs using an upward or downward motion, against or with the direction of hair growth, whichever you prefer.

Use a file instead, but not just any file. You will need jojoba or sweet almond oil as well. Use the oil on your hands, on your cuticles, and under your nails, and then use an authentic glass nail file such as one from Germanikure. It is worth the investment.

You can use tweezers. Just scrape them under every nail.