When your nails begin to look dull and unpolished, you head to the salon for a relaxing manicure and pedicure. And while you leave with beautiful hands and feet, you may have noticed the results don’t always last as long as you’d like. 151 Hair Company, Kellogg, Minnesota’s leading full-service salon, has a solution to your problem.

Follow these seven tips to help maintain healthy, beautiful nails, even after you’ve left the salon:

• Reapply A Topcoat: To help prevent chips in your polish and to maintain shine, reapply a clear topcoat to your nails every two to three days.
• Avoid Hand Sanitizer: While it may kill germs, hand sanitizer does no favors to your newly manicured nails. Hand sanitizer can dry out your nails and break down your topcoat, so wash your hands with a mild soap instead.
• Apply Nail Oil: Your nail technician probably applied nail oil to your cuticles during your manicure and pedicure, but you should also continue to do so at home. Nail oil helps to replenish moisture, keeping your nails from drying out and even breaking.

• Fix Chipping Polish: If you notice your polish is beginning to chip, file the tips of your nails down gently to prevent further chipping and seal them with another layer of clear topcoat.
• Wear Gloves: Whether you’re doing dishes or yard work, always wear gloves to extend the life of your manicure. Being submerged in water, exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals, and working with your hands can cause your manicure to fail.
• Eat Healthy: Believe it or not, what you put into your body can actually play a role in the health of your nails. Finger and toenails, along with hair, need protein to maintain good health, so eat a well-balanced diet, including sources of healthy protein, such as eggs, chicken, and nuts.
• Skip Polish: Give your nails a break from polish every once in a while to allow them to breath. While polish looks great, it can be harsh on your nails if worn consistently. You don’t always need a coat of polish applied during a manicure or pedicure, so ask your nail technician to skip this step every few visits.

For these and other helpful tips on how to maintain healthy nails and extend the life of your manicure and pedicure, call the salon experts, 151 Hair Company, at (608) 783-6191. You can also visit the website to learn about the services they provide, including hair cutting and coloring, waxing, eyebrow shaping, and even professional make-up application.