How-to: trim your toenails, the right way!

Did you know that cutting toenails incorrectly can lead to ingrown nails, nail fungus and foot pain? The way you cut your toenails directly affects the way in which they grow. Cutting toenails too rounded can force the nail to curl around and grow in on itself, leading to painful piercing of the skin and potential infection. Leaving the nails too long can encourage them to retain dampness, which can also lead to infection.
Confused? Well don’t be. We’ve got the straightforward tips on cutting toenails right, every time.
How to cut toenails
1. Choose the right clippers: avoid using the same clippers for your fingernails and your toenails. A good pair of toenail clippers will be slightly wider and flatter than regular fingernail clippers. Sterilise them with rubbing alcohol between every use and don’t share with friends.
2. Choose the right time: avoid cutting nails straight out of the shower as wet nails are softer and more vulnerable to tearing. Instead, always work on dry, clean nails.
3. Choose the right cut: cut nails by guiding the clippers straight across each toe and avoid curving downwards to round the nails as curved nails can become ingrown nails. Do each nail in a few small cuts, rather than one large cut, which may cause the nail to pull back from the skin.
4. Choose the length: avoid cutting nails too short as this can also lead to ingrown toenails. If you like them short, cut to just beneath the tip of the toe, no more than a millimetre.
5. If you’re a filer, not a clipper…if you prefer to file rather than cut, avoid using a back and forth sawing motion with the file and instead gently move the file across the nail in one direction until smooth.
Try Elite Toenail Clippers or Manicare Toenail Clippers.
If you file try Glamourflage Foxy Fay Nail File.
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
121 Member Comments
now I know straight across is the way to go!
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Always straight across to prevent ingrown nails
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Great tips!
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Still love these articles. I use toenail clippers, and learned how to look after my toenails many years ago after needing to see a podiatrist about my toes. Ballet, especially pointe work is very harsh on toenails. I got them fixed up and haven't had a problem since.
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it is a bit too much time consuming to file toenails...at least for me. and the result entirely the same like when i just clip them
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everything so complicated! I just use one clipper for hands and feet...it works perfectly!
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Yeah, I've had problems with ingrown nails too. It is really best to cut your nails straight and if needed, use the nail file to make them into a rounded shape. Glass nail files are for example great, as they are very easy to work with. I, have one from Aveniro myself and it is perfect both for hands and feet. Also, it is easily washable, which I, as a person obsessed with hygiene, appreciate. :) I bought my nailf file at www.aveniro.com, if you're interested. :)
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Exactly! The glass files are the best and the Aveniro brand makes some quality ones. I have their hand-decorated file and not only is it beautiful but the results are also awesome.
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I'm terrible at clipping nails. This is my new guide how to.
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The danger for me is I will trim and then file but my nails still end up sharp. I've cut my own toes against each other!
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good tips....cutting toenails wrongly can lead to ingrown toenails, so hard to fix
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This was so helpful as i've been cutting them the wrong way for years and now i know the correct way so thanks forthis.
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Thanks for the tip.
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I find the only products that truly help my heels is a foot file and a urea cream called Calmurid. I have tried so many things before, expensive ones and otherwise but this Calmurid is the only product that keeps my feet looking good and if I have a cut in the heel this cream helps to close it within a few days.
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Had no idea!!! Great info!
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Some good tips for trimming toenails the right way.
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eep! never realsed there was a "correct way" of cutting nails!
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Invest in really good clippers, cheap ones don't work well and also use after your shower
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I always have troubles in the corners
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i didnt know i was doing it wrong!
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I avoid using clippers on my toenails as I always ended up hurting myself but now I realise it's because I was trying to clip too much at once!
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This remind me I need to sterilize my clippers!
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Sterilising is important. I know people that have gone to the nail salon and have gotten infections because the utensils weren't clean
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