White nail tips are an indication of a healthy and youthful lifestyle. And so, when dark nail polishes leave your nails yellow and stained, it becomes a cause of embarrassment and unattractiveness. Therefore you must work to cure these yellow nails.

Unfortunately, most of the time, we ignore this condition and procrastinate, creating problems in treatment. But if you try one of these fairly simple home remedies, you can easily lighten the yellow stains. So guys, if you are thinking of going from dark nail colour to blush pink or clear nails, then this toothpaste remedy will help you.

Whitening both fingernails and toenails are easy, and you can use the given home remedies to treat yellow toenails.

What Causes Yellow Nails?

Changes in the color, shape, and thickness of the fingernails or toenails can cause concern, especially in young people, because yellowing of nails is a consequence of aging, and as one grows older, it is bound to happen. Other than the age factor, various other reasons lead to yellow, stained nails. These include-

Obsession with Dark Nail Paints

We all feel that nails are the hardest part of our body, but these firm-looking nails are a porous entity. And so, when we apply dark color nail polish, the pigment gets absorbed. As a result, the iron oxide in the nail paint is oxidized, and yellow color rust is seen on the nails. But as the stain is not permanent, you can remove it using a clear base coat before applying that dark shade nail polish.

Also, for all you dark nail polish obsession queens, we suggest you go bare and clear every once in a while.

Smoking

Chronic lung disease sufferers and people having poor liver function also have yellow nails. And as the nails of long-term smokers make contact with tobacco smoke, they also turn yellow. This is because the color substance present in cigarettes is tar, responsible for the brown color stains, while nicotine leads to yellow stains.

Certain deficiencies like that of zinc and Vitamin B12 also cause discoloration of nails.

Infection

On coming in contact with the harmful fungus, our nails can turn yellow. Onychomycosis is one of the main fungal nail infections that turn the nail yellow.

Onychomycosis can affect any part of the nail. This infection can also be uncomfortable, and as a result, the person faces difficulty in walking. And so, fungal infections are one of the common causes of stained nails.

Hereditary Condition

Yellow Nail Syndrome is an extremely rare condition that occurs in middle-aged people. As a result, the nails of both your hands and toes turn yellow, along with the signs of respiratory problems, and swelling of legs, and chronic difficulty in breathing. And as the changes may be due to some genetic mutation, reverting back to clear nails will be difficult. And so you should first try to treat the underlying leg swelling and lung issues.

Aging

As mentioned above, aging is a natural cause behind yellow fingernails and toenails. And so, as people grow older, the color, shape, and even the thickness of their nails tend to change. The aged people or individuals will therefore have a more yellow color in their nails.

Personal Hygiene

Personal Hygiene like wearing gym shoes while showering is important. Places like the gym or locker room are the places where you are more likely to catch a fungal or bacterial infection. And so one should always be careful, especially when one decides to go barefoot at these places.

Medical conditions

Yellow fingernails or toenails are symptoms of certain medical conditions. These include-

Psoriasis
Thyroid conditions
Tuberculosis
Diabetes
Jaundice
Sinusitis

Along with other usual symptoms associated with these disorders, yellow nails are also seen.

How to Whiten Nails With Toothpaste?

We all know that toothpaste helps whiten our teeth, but very few of us know that we can use this ingredient to whiten our nails and even our white shoes. Yes, we bring you the complete process you need to follow to whiten yellow nails with toothpaste.

There are various ways by which you can clear the yellow stains from your nails, like soaking, scrubbing, or using prescribed medications. Using toothpaste on your nails comes under the second category and requires scrubbing. So follow the given routine and get rid of yellow nails.

Step 1- Begin the process by removing your nail paint. Make sure you also remove the clear polish that you used for light buffing.
Step 2- Now, if you want, shape and file your nails into the desired shape.
Step 3- Apply a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste or less to each nail with your finger.
Step 4- Now rub the toothpaste properly over the entire nail with the help of an old toothbrush or nail brush.
Step 5- Leave it for about 5 minutes and then rinse them with warm water.
Step 6- You can repeat this treatment two to three times a week to see a notable change in your nails.

Important Tips-

Scrubbing the nails after applying toothpaste is a must.
Do not use blue or green color gel-like toothpaste. I prefer the white-colored toothpaste.
You can also use baking soda along with the toothpaste, as this will provide better results.

Alternative Scrubs to Whiten Nails

Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is a powerful learning agent that we use in our homes. From odor absorption to stain removal, you can take the assistance of this magic ingredient in almost everything. So create a scrub with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and use it to whiten yellow nails.

Step 1- Prepare the baking soda scrub using 1 Tbsp 3% hydrogen peroxide and 2 1/2 Tbsp baking soda. And then, stir this mixture with a spoon till a paste is formed; the two ingredients are combined thoroughly.
Step 2- Now, use a cotton swab and apply the paste over each nail and under the nails’ tip.
Step 3- Wait for three minutes before rinsing the paste using warm water. Repeat the same process on your other hand.

After the first application, you will notice some differences but apply this mixture once in two months for better results.

Scrub it with lemon

Acids are great in removing stains from a hard surface, and so one can go for lemon juice to whiten their yellow nails as acids can be dangerous for your skin. So using lemon for scrubbing is a good alternative to acidic lemon juices.

Step 1- For this process, you can use a leftover Lemon that is still fresh and moist from the inside. Just rub this lemon flesh directly over the nails for about 30 to 60 seconds. For better results, make sure that the lemon has enough juice.
Step 2- If you are using lemon juice, you can use a cotton ball or swab to rub it on your nails. Leave it for about 10 to 30 minutes, and then rinse it using warm water.

So apart from the toothpaste scrub, baking soda and lemon juice can also be used as a scrub.

Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Nails

Apart from these natural tricks, one can always try to prevent this condition. And so here are a few do’s and don’ts that you can follow so that your nails don’t go even a shade darker.

Do’s

Follow a Balanced Diet

As nails are made of keratin, a type of protein, so if your diet is richer in protein, the health of your nails will also be better. Include fish, spinach, beef, and dairy products in your diet as they are high in protein and good for a healthy body and nails.

Moisturize your Hands and Nails

After washing hands, one must apply moisturizer. Moisturizer nourishes your hands and keeps them and your nails healthy, glossy, and hydrated. You can also use Coconut oil to moisturize your hands and nails.

Check the Products before Applying on Nails

We hardly pay attention to the chemical composition of our products for styling and decorating our nails. But you should make sure that they must be low in their chemical content as higher content can be harmful to your nails’ texture and natural color.

Don’ts

Don’t Use Nails as a Tool.

Using nails as a personal tool is one of the most common habits of all of us. We use it for solving so many purposes like opening the lid of containers, scratching tapes, etc. But this habit can cause damage to our nails. The nails get weak, especially the white area, which is also known as the stress area of our nails. As a result of stressing the nail health deteriorates, and it becomes brittle.

Don’t Peel Off Nail Polishes; Use Nail Remover.

Scratching or peeling nail polishes cause damage to the nail bed. Also, the nail’s surface becomes harsh, and the natural shine and gloss of the nails are also gone.

Don’t Overdo Washing Hands and Use of Sanitizer.

Most of us have a habit of using a sanitizer after every hour, which can be harmful. The excessive use of sanitizer leads to dryness which can affect the health of nails.

So be careful while using sanitizers and avoid frequent contact with your nails with the sanitizer.

Toothpaste Alternative to Whiten Nails

Oregano oil

Oregano oil is known for its antimicrobial properties. It has been seen that the oil is effective against both bacteria and fungi, and so it is a good option in treating yellow nails. And you can use it, especially when you are not aware of the reason behind the yellow color. Like tree tea oil, you need to mix Oregano oil with some carrier oil and then apply it to the affected fingernails or toenails.

Tea tree oil

If your nails are discolored due to some bacterial infection or fungal attack, you can turn to an easy treatment using tea tree oil. Just mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil. Then swab the mixture of these oils on the affected nails. According to some studies, tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties and prevents common fungal strains from growing on nails.

Light buffing

When nail polish is the cause of the yellowing of nails, it is mostly on the top layer. So by buffing, you can get rid of yellow stains from the top layer. This can be your go-to method, but it is not highly recommended as it can lead to weaker nails. Also, as the nail plate layers are removed while buffing, your nails can undergo splitting and peeling. So if you are in a hurry and opt for light buffing, we suggest you use a clear strengthening polish after that.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar mainly works against fungal nail infection, and so you can try this remedy to lighten the stains caused due to some other agent. Apart from nails, ACV is a part of the beauty routine of many girls as it works wonders for hair as well. The malic and acetic acid present in Apple Cider Vinegar helps in reducing discoloration. Just dilute ACV in warm water and soak your fingers or toenails in this mixture. Then, use a nail brush and scrub it all over your nails. Pat dry and moisturize for better results.

Wrapping up

The health of your nails is important. It adds to the charm of your beauty. But our day-to-day activities and carelessness make them yellow and brittle. So if you have yellow stains on your nails, these methods will help you whiten them naturally.

Scrubbing with toothpaste is one of the perfect go-to remedies to whiten yellow nails. So guys, start adopting a healthy lifestyle and add healthy nails to your beauty.