How to maintain healthy & hygienic nails during your cheffing career

If your cheffing career has left you struggling to sustain a stunning set of talons, these top tips are guaranteed to ensure that you flaunt flake free fingertips that are both healthy and hygienic:

• Shape it. Filing the nails into a short, neat and rounded shape will not only aid the prevention of bacteria, dirt and food debris from accumulating under the free edge, but create a strong set of talons that are resilient against the damaging effects of repeated knocks and bangs - a common problem that both chefs and kitchen workers are susceptible to.
• Ditch the decorated digits. Aside from ensuring that the nails remain as hygienic as possible, avoiding the application of nail enamel will aid the improvement of the flaking free edge chefs and kitchens workers are renowned for flaunting - the repeated saturation and dehydration of the porous nail plate often results in the development of  lamellar dystrophy, a nail disorder that leads to flaking and peeling of the free edge. Applying enamel to nails prone to this particular problem will also create unsightly chipping after 1-2 days - a potential food contaminant that will you leave you struggling to sustain strict hygiene standards.
• Avoid the application of artificial nail enhancements. Pseudomonas, a troublesome type of bacteria (most commonly found in water) is the core culprit responsible for causing bacterial infections under an artificial nail plate, and as chefs and kitchen workers are renowned for coming into repeated contact with water, the risk of developing a bacterial infection is increased - particularly if the nail plate has been forced to lift as a result of excessive pressure or jarring to the tips. By going au natural, you will not only minimize the risk of infection, but prevent damaging both the artificial and natural nail plate from unnecessary trauma. 

If your nails are prone to peeling, don't be afraid to visit a professional who will be able to recommend the most effective form of treatment for a problematic nail plate. Weekly manicures (non water based) and warm oil treatments are both fantastic for creating a flake-free free edge.