“Must have” for those who love shiny varnishes: what is a nail lightener and how does it work?

It doesn’t matter what you answer – regular use of the coating can change the color of the nails. Does that mean you have to throw away all your nail polish right away? Of course not! Simply add one more product to your beauty routine.

As dermatologist Marisa Garshik, MD explains, this is a remedy that helps fight dullness and nail discoloration. According to the doctor, the plaques can acquire an undesirable shade for various reasons – for example, due to psoriasis or taking certain medications. However, if the yellowness appeared due to the girl’s passion for bright manicure, it is the clarifier that will help to cope with it. “It’s also great for women who don’t use nail polish but want to keep their nails looking neat and healthy,” adds Marisa.

According to MD, Dermatologist Hadley King, most brighteners contain an oxidizing agent (like citric acid) which has bleaching properties. Among the ingredients you will also find exfoliants that help remove a layer of dead cells – glycolic or lactic acid.

“This product does more than lighten the nail,” says Marisa. “Generally, conditioning and moisturizing ingredients are included to improve overall nail health.” Dr. King adds that these may include substances that offer protection against UV rays, which give the nails a yellow tint.

First of all, you need to understand why the yellowness appeared. If it is not accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms – a thickening of the nail, an unpleasant smell, a change in shape – then, most likely, the matter is in the varnish that stained the plate.

In this case, Marisa advises taking a break from using polish and applying highlighter until the nail is healthy again. Also, the tool can be an excellent prevention of discoloration – for this it must be applied to the nail under the base during manicure.

Garshik also advises to pay attention to the effect of the clarifier – the appearance of the nail has not improved within a week, it is better to consult a doctor and find out whether the yellow plaque is a sign of a serious illness.

Read also: Structured manicure: a technique that saves fragile and brittle nails