When Al Pacino was recently snapped by the paps on a date in West Hollywood with his girlfriend Lucila Solá, the legendary actor looked oh so suave in head-to-toe black. That is, until we caught wind of his hard, yellow nails. (Must... resist... the urge to vomit...)
You'd think with all the royalty checks rolling in from TV marathons of "The Godfather" that Pacino would be one of the most well-groomed men in Hollywood. His decades-long habit of smoking multiple packs of cigarettes a day may be the cause of his yellow nails; however, it's a bad beauty sign that shows up even in non-smokers with nail polish as one of the biggest culprits.
Women who frequently wear dark nail polish over long periods of time (especially without using a base coat) may also notice a yellowing of their nails, according to New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad. Another cause might be the harmful chemicals in nail polish. Formaldehyde can also turn your nail beds yellow.
- See a doctor to rule out any serious health conditions like fungus, psoriasis, lung disease or diabetes.
- Give your nails a break from nail polish in between manicures. Or try lighter shades like these.
- Make a DIY treatment using warm water and lemon juice. Soak nails for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently scrub with baking soda to help whiten.
- Always apply a base coat before painting on any nail polish to add a barrier of protection.
Do you suffer from yellowing nails? What have you tried to return your fingernails to a healthy hue? Tell us in the comments section.
Meanwhile, check out the most outrageous nails from New York Fashion Week:
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