Nail Care 101: Finding The Perfect Trim For Healthy Fingertips

Nail-clipping is a body maintenance job that we usually do periodically without even thinking about it. However, it is important to start thinking about it as there is an optimal length to cut your fingernails. Dr. Rajani Katta says that you do want a nail to extend past your finger pad as it needs that protection. However, if you grow it too long, it's more likely to get ragged and torn.

Optimal length: Nails should extend past the finger pad for protection

Nails should extend past the finger pad for protection. Dr. Rajani Katta, a dermatologist and author, says that you do want a nail to extend past your finger pad because you need that protection. However, if you grow it too long, that's a concern, because then it's more likely to get ragged and torn.

You should keep your nails fairly short because the longer they are, the more easily they are damaged – especially your fingernails, if you work with your hands. If they are fine, you can use a normal clipper; for anything thicker – usually toenails, but sometimes fingernails – you will need a heavy-duty version.

You can cut a little down the sides of your toenails, especially if you are prone to ingrowing toenails, to take them away from the skin. You should also give your fingernails a curve, while toenails should be cut straight across, to prevent ingrowth.

You should leave 1-2 millimeters of the nails’ white rim (it’s called the lunula, which is Latin for “little moon”) when you cut them. That leaves them long enough to be useful, like helping you turn a page of a book, but keeps them from getting in the way, like when you’re typing on a keyboard.

If the nail is so long that it extends past the fingertips, you’re due for a trim. It’s easy to get all nails to a standard length: “Look at all ten nails and pick out the shortest, or that with the smallest amount of ‘white’ at the tip,” says Lippmann.

White rim: Leave 1-2mm of the white rim to keep nails useful but not in the way

Nails should be kept fairly short, as longer nails are more easily damaged. Dermatologist and author Dr. Rajani Katta suggests that nails should extend past your finger pad to provide protection. However, if you grow your nails too long, they are more likely to get ragged and torn.

You should leave 1-2mm of the nails' white rim when you cut them. This keeps them long enough to be useful but not in the way, like when you’re typing on a keyboard.

Fingernails should be given a curve, while toe nails should be cut straight across to prevent ingrowth. You can cut a little down the sides of your toenails, especially if you are prone to ingrowing toenails, to take them away from the skin.

After you cut your nails, rinse the tools in hot water and dry them completely before putting them away.

Shape: Fingernails should be curved and toed nails cut straight to prevent ingrowth

Fingernails should be curved and toed nails cut straight to prevent ingrowth. Nails should be kept fairly short as longer nails are more easily damaged. If you grow your nails too long, they are more likely to get ragged and torn. You do want a nail to extend past your finger pad so that it provides protection, but if you cut them too short, they can get in the way. You should leave 1-2 millimeters of the nails’ white rim when you cut them so that they are long enough to be useful, but keep them from getting in the way. You can cut a little down the sides of your toenails, especially if you are prone to ingrowing toenails, to take them away from the skin.

Damage: Longer nails are more easily damaged, especially fingernails of those who work with their hands

Longer nails are more easily damaged, especially fingernails of those who work with their hands. If you work with your hands, it is important to keep your nails short. The longer they are, the more easily they are damaged. If the nail is so long that it extends past the fingertips, you’re due for a trim. It’s easy to get all nails to a standard length: “Look at all ten nails and pick out the shortest, or that with the smallest amount of ‘white’ at the tip,” says Lippmann. You do want a nail to extend past your finger pad, says dermatologist and author Dr. Rajani Katta. “You need that protection. [But] if you grow it too long, that's a concern, because then it's more likely to get ragged and torn.” You can cut a little down the sides of your toenails, especially if you are prone to ingrowing toenails, to take them away from the skin. You should leave 1-2 millimeters of the nails’ white rim when you cut them. That leaves them long enough to be useful, like helping you turn a page of a book, but keeps them from getting in the way, like when you’re typing on a keyboard. You should also give your fingernails a curve, while toenails should be cut straight across, to prevent ingrowth. Use a nail file for shaping, or if it hurts when you clip your nails.

Trimming: If nails extend past the fingertips, they need to be trimmed

If your nails extend past the fingertips, they need to be trimmed. Dr. Rajani Katta, a dermatologist and author, says that you do want a nail to extend past your finger pad. This provides protection but if you grow it too long, it's more likely to get ragged and torn.

Nails should be kept fairly short. The longer they are, the more easily they are damaged – especially your fingernails, if you work with your hands. If they are fine, you can use a normal clipper; for anything thicker – usually toe nails, but sometimes fingernails – you will need a heavy-duty version. Use a nail file for shaping, or if it hurts when you clip your nails.

If you are prone to ingrowing toenails, you can cut a little down the sides of your toenails to take them away from the skin. Fingernails should be given a curve, while toe nails should be cut straight across, to prevent ingrowth.

You should leave 1-2 millimeters of the nails’ white rim when you cut them. That leaves them long enough to be useful, like helping you turn a page of a book, but keeps them from getting in the way, like when you’re typing on a keyboard.

Frequently asked questions