In 2018 I'm going to look after my nails, what should I do?

[flocktheclock]

I've never really bothered before. I'm a HCP who can't wear varnish for work and needs to have quite short nails. But it's not an excuse.
So far I've got some nice hand cream and an emery board.

Do I need to oil my cuticles and should they be pushed back with an orange stick? If so how often?

Can anyone give me an guide to having well groomed hands?

If you can, keep cuticle oil and hand cream by your bed and get into the habit of using both before bed every night. I don't touch my cuticles at all as the oil seems to take care of them, but never use anything metal or sharp, and be super gentle with them. Biotin supplements are cheap on Amazon and help strengthen nails and hair, I've been taking them since September and have noticed a definite improvement in both.

Wear gloves when doing the washing up

Also an HCP here.
The constant handwashing in NHS soap (and this is on top of normal day to day handwashing)
The vinyl/nitrile gloves
The Infection Control that prohibits product on nails....................

My nails are dire at the moment , winter is not kind and they 'snap'

I bought a buffer a while back (Primark one it has file/buff/shine sides) it did make my nails shiney and smoothed my thumbnails which are ridged .Had to be careful not to overbuff.
If I'm at the computer I do a couple of nails at a time.

I have a bottle of castor oil ( bought for my eyebrows and eyelashes ) so I'll give that a go. Nothing ventured Nothing gained

Yes, the constant hand washing is rubbish for skin and nails.
I did wonder about a buffer.

I've found some Sally Hansen cuticle oil on Amazon that I'm going to try.

What do you think about a professional manicure but without the varnish to get me started or would it be a waste of money?

I’m using the Margaret Dabbs nail serum from the Liberty AC and I’m impressed. The cuticle oil I had was doing nothing, but in 3 weeks this serum has strengthened my dry, flaky nails. A little goes a long way. It’s about £12 - I think you can get it from John Lewis. My nails are now in tip top condition and the serum is the only new product I’ve used.