Winter danger prevention for your nails.

Jan 10, 2011 Nail care
Posted by seth

As classical guitarists we take great pride in our tone production via constant buffing, filing and care for our nails. It is rare however for me to hear many if any guitarists say anything about preventitive maintenance. While most of us associate the winter season’s lack of humidity as danger to our beloved wooden instruments, and rightly so, we fail to realize the danger it presents for our nails!

From my first lesson with Stephen Aron where he told me my tone sucked I have been on and endless pursuit of good tone production via my nails. Since I use my natural nails there are certain dangers that crop up in the winter, namely dehydration. The winter weather can sap our skin of moisture causing our hands and lips to become dry and cracked, but this dryness has a secondary danger in our hands. Dry brittle nails translate to thin and weak tone so this must be prevented at all costs.

The three things I have done to prevent dry and brittle nails in the winter is to first constantly use a hand moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin. Our nail beds are fed by the skin cells in our hands, the healthier the hands the healthier the nail. Second, using a vitamin E oil a couple times a week just on the cuticle and nail bed helps as well. This can be obtained from any reputable nail salon. The third and final thing I have used and had great success is a product called “solar oil” made by the nail polish company OPI. This is a re-hydrating oil that you brush onto your nails. If you just need a slight boost brushing it on a couple times a week before going to bed will likely be sufficient, however, if your nails are becoming very dry I suggest brushing it on and finding a way to cover either your nails or enitire with something that will not absorb the oil. This way the oil will soak into directly into the nail and help offset the dryness of the nail.

Winter is dangerous for our guitars, but our nails as well…keeping both hydrated will help ensure happy practicing and performing with healthy nails, tone and guitar. Cheers!