- Children (0–12 years old)
- Characteristics and Requirements
Nails are soft, thin and fast: Children’s nails have a fragile texture and grow fast, making them prone to protruding their fingertips.
Si es activo, es propenso a las lesiones: su hijo se arrancará fácilmente las uñas o se arañará al rascar o revolver sus juguetes.
- Trim frequency
Do it once a week: Keep the edge of the nail is 1 mm shorter than the fingertips to avoid scratching the skin or scratching the toys while playing or scratching. - Recommended tools
Round-head scissors-type nail scissors: The scissors have round tips, high safety, and are not prone to accidental stabbing;
Special soft-handled nail file for children: helps polish the burrs of the cut and prevents barbs.
- Key points of operation
Choose a quiet environment: avoid children breaking away suddenly because of activeness;
Fix the little hands: use one hand to lightly support the child’s fingers and operate with the other hand;
Follow the natural arc: Cut in segments to avoid too much cut at once;
Grind the edges: Use a soft file to gently polish it to avoid rough edges hanging clothes.
- Things to note
Avoid trimming immediately before the child goes to bed to avoid waking up;
If the child is prone to crying, you can play before trimming and distract yourself or apply a small amount of moisturizer for children to increase comfort.
- Adolescents and adults (13–60 years old)
- Characteristics and Requirements
Moderate nail hardness and stable growth period
Both beauty and function are important: it is necessary to maintain the beauty of trimming, but also meet the daily needs of typing on the keyboard and playing musical instruments.
- Trim frequency
Nails: Once every 1-2 weeks
Toenails: Once every 4-6 weeks
- Recommended tools
Lever-type arc-hole nail scissors: fits natural curves and neatly cut surfaces;
Stainless steel nail file: one medium and fine teeth, first remove the burrs, and then polish with fine teeth;
Nail push rod or cork rod: nudge the dead skin under the nail to keep the nail bed clean.
- Key points of operation
Trim after bathing: the nail is slightly softer and easier to cut off;
Segmented shear: first on both sides and then in the middle to avoid large mouth cutting at one time;
Keep smooth edges: nudge the file in the same direction, do not file back and forth;
Apply Armor Polish: Transparent Armor Polish containing vitamin E and keratin ingredients can enhance nail toughness.
- Things to note
Incorrect over-trimming will cause the edge of the nail to be close to the flesh slit, causing nail sulcus inflammation;
People who have long-term nail art and fake nail patches should appropriately extend the trimming interval and strengthen nourishment.
- Elderly (61 years old and above)
- Characteristics and Requirements
Nails grow slowly and become brittle and easy to crack
Hand strength is weakened, and operation is inconvenient
- Trim frequency
Nails: Once every 2-3 weeks
Toenails: Once every 6–8 weeks
- Recommended tools
Large-handled scissor-type nail scissors: ergonomic grip to relieve hand pressure;
Electric nail trimming machine: use less force and replace shear by grinding;
Disinfection scissors or nail clippers: Disinfect regularly to prevent nail infection.
- Key points of operation
Choose a place with sufficient light: avoid missed shearing caused by decreased vision;
Accessories: The elderly can sit firmly at the table and use a shelf or tabletop to capture nail shavings;
Slow grinding: The electric grinder is first low-speed, and then increases step by step as needed;
Apply nourishing ointment: You can use an armor cream containing urea and shea butter on your feet to prevent excessive dryness of your nails.
- Things to note
For elderly people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, etc., it is recommended that their family members or nursing staff assist;
If the deck is found to be abnormally thickened, discolored or cracked, seek medical attention in time to rule out fungal infections or other lesions.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Characteristics and Requirements
Hormone changes in the body may affect the texture of nails: some pregnant women have brittle and easy to break, and some of them have accelerated growth due to hormone effects;
Safety concerns: Avoid using armor products containing irritating chemicals.
- Trim frequency
Nails: Once every 1-2 weeks
Toenails: Once every 5–6 weeks
- Recommended tools
Medical grade stainless steel nail scissors: durable and easy to clean;
Glass or crystal nail files: delicate and no metal debris;
Pure plant formula armor polish: non-toxic and odorless, solvent-free.
- Key points of operation
Clean your hands and feet: Use gentle fragrance-free hand sanitizer to clean;
Trim after soaking in warm water: soften the athericity and reduce fracture;
Gently polish: Press the file lightly, do not over-force;
Strengthen nourishment: You can choose finger oil containing vegetable oil (hohoba, sweet almond).
- Things to note
Avoid going to nail salons to treat acetone and formaldehyde;
Do not use counterfeit or unknown nail art products to avoid chemicals absorbed by the skin and affecting the fetus.
- Athletes and outdoor workers
- Characteristics and Requirements
Frequent movement, more friction and impact: nails are prone to cracking and contusion;
Increased sweat and increased risk of bacterial and fungal infection.
- Trim frequency
Nails: Once every week
Toenails: Once every 3–4 weeks
- Recommended tools
Professional carbon steel lever nail scissors: sharp edges, can cut sports nails with larger thickness at one time;
Corundum electric armor grinder: quickly trim and polish to reduce mechanical damage;
Sports socks and quick-drying shoes with good breathability: help keep your feet dry.
- Key points of operation
Trim and clean in time after exercise: remove foreign objects and sweat stains from the nail joints;
Toenail straight trimming: avoid trimming the sides too deeply and causing inlays;
Use antibacterial spray or powder: spray on the nails after exercise to reduce the chance of infection;
Regularly check for blood scabs under the aphrodisiac: long-term contusions and blood scabs should be treated in time to prevent the deck from peeling off.
- Things to note
During high-intensity training, if anaerobic separation or severe pain occurs, relevant exercises should be suspended and medical treatment should be sought;
Try to wear professional anti-impact protective gear in sports venues to reduce direct impact damage.
- People with limited hand function (arthritis, disability, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.)
- Characteristics and Requirements
Limited self-care ability: obstructed movement of the hand joint or inconvenient operation;
High-risk accidental injury and infection.
- Trim frequency
Depending on self-care ability, trim by caregivers or family members every 2–3 weeks. - Recommended tools
Large non-slip nail scissors: easy to hold and reduce hand slip;
Electric armor grinder with handheld fixing seat: more stable operation;
Chip collection box or nail collection pad: easy to clean and maintain environmental sanitation.
- Key points of operation
Fixed hand position: You can use soft pads or assistants to fix them to reduce erroneous movement;
Slow and steady operation: do not force hard when cutting and grinding;
Clean the wound in time: If the skin is accidentally scratched, disinfect and bandage it immediately;
Record each trimming: Pay attention to changes in nails to facilitate evaluation by medical staff.
- Things to note
If the patient is accompanied by diabetes or other chronic diseases, he or she must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions;
Consider hiring a professional nursing or a podiatrist to serve regularly.
- Conclusión
Different groups of people have different needs for nail trimming due to differences in age, physical fitness, lifestyle and health. For special groups such as children, young and middle-aged people, the elderly, pregnant women, athletes and people with limited hand function, personalized pruning plans should be formulated based on their physiological characteristics and daily activity scenarios. Correct nail care can not only improve the quality of life, but also effectively prevent infection and avoid trauma and complications. Hope this article provides practical guidance to you or your family so that everyone can have healthy, beautiful and functional nails.