In case you haven’t heard, the days of men scrambling in fear at the mention of getting a manicure are long gone. Manicures for men are more popular than ever before, and you can chalk that up to increased health consciousness and interest in personal wellness. There’s no reason for men to be afraid of clean nails and fresh hands anymore; manicures are increasingly recognized as an important part of men’s wellness and hygiene, and you shouldn’t miss out. If you’re not convinced, here are some of the prime benefits of getting a professional manicure.
1. It’s Therapeutic
Don’t you ever wonder why so many women choose to patronize nail salons, spending extra time and money on something they could seemingly accomplish at home? Yes, it is possible, and obviously common, for people to perform nail care and apply nail polish at home, but one of the biggest reasons to visit the salon instead is that it’s simply relaxing.
Perhaps the most understated part of the professional manicure process is the customary hand massage. Most nail salons, even the more economical ones, perform a gentle massage as part of their regular manicure. While one hand soaks in a bowl of warm, sometimes scented water, the other hand is massaged. The bowl of warm water is relaxing in itself and is important for softening your cuticles before any work can be done on them. When’s the last time you had your hands massaged? Have you ever had your hands massaged? You might be surprised how much better your worn hands feel afterward. In addition, there is evidence that suggests these massages improve blood flow to the extremities and reduce high blood pressure.
2. It Curbs Nail Biting
Approximately 45% of teenagers are nail biters, with many of them continuing the habit into adulthood, and men are said to be more likely to bite their nails than women are. We’re not totally sure about why people bite their nails or exactly which percentage of nail-biting can be attributed to psychological issues like anxiety and eating disorders, but we do know it’s unsanitary. Nail-biting exposes the mouth to pathogens that gather under the nail in day-to-day life, increasing the risk of infection. On top of that, it makes your nails and fingers look worse.
If you bite your nails, you might benefit from a proper manicure. It’s simple: you’re less likely to engage in nail-biting if you have healthy, well-shaped nails. Why would you want to ruin something good, especially something that costs money and time? Having nice nails is a potent self-esteem booster, and you’ll find that feeling better about yourself makes you less likely to bite your nails. And, of course, nail polish doesn’t taste great.
3. It Makes Your Nails Cleaner
There’s nothing less appealing than going to shake someone’s hand and noticing they have grimy, dirty, black-tipped fingernails. Depending on your occupation, you might be doing some serious work with your hands or spend a lot of time outdoors, making dirty nails the norm. There’s a chance you’ve never even thought about it, but I assure you, your dates have.
Before anything can be done to your nails, a professional salon technician will thoroughly clean underneath the nail tips and between the nail and surrounding skin. Your nails will be trimmed down, making them less susceptible to dirt and dust collection. Rehydrating cracked, and yellowed nails and tidying your cuticles will go a long way toward improving your image as well.
4. It Reduces the Effects of Aging
We spend a lot of time and effort trying to fight the effects of aging. We’re not able to reverse the effects of aging (yet), but we can do quite a bit to remedy some of the most visible signs. Wrinkle-fighting face washes and lotions, and even botox, are commonly used to give us a younger, fresher appearance. Our eyes, too, are the target of many anti-aging products. Of course, we don’t just age in our faces — our hands age too, and in everyday interactions, our hands are seen just as much as our faces.
A manicurist isn’t just concerned with your nails and fingertips. The entire hand is their domain, and just as they devote attention to massaging and loosening up the hand, they will take care to improve the health and appearance of your skin. Exfoliation — the removal of dead skin cells that cling to us — is part of many manicurists’ repertoire and can contribute to a more youthful appearance. This is usually coupled with moisturizing lotions that improve elasticity and hydration.
5. It Just Makes Your Nails Healthier
We have ten fingernails and ten toenails, and each one comes with a host of potential health issues that can lead to infections or, at the least, cause some serious discomfort. Bad nails will affect the skin around them, contributing to dry, cracked, and raw fingertips; if you bite your nails, you probably have a good idea of all the complications that can arise from improperly maintained nails.
Having your nails professionally trimmed, rehydrated, and buffed by a professional manicurist will alleviate some of these hazards and discomforts. Salon staff know how to deal with hangnails and brittling, and, if it’s not too serious, they know a thing or two about ingrown nails, too. Not to mention they have a wealth of knowledge about which nail products are best for your personal health. Contrary to what some say, nail products are not all made equal. If you’re interested in coloring your nails or even just having a clear polish applied, your nail technician will likely recommend healthier, more conscientious products like those offered by companies like SNS; these products are manufactured with vitamins and supplements known to improve nail health and leave your nails better and stronger than before.
