How to Whiten Natural Nails

By: Kimbry Parker

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Bright white nails make your hands look well kept and clean. In an article on CNNHealth.com, Dr. Jennifer Shu points out that nails become yellow and discolored mostly from lifestyle factors like smoking or using nail polish frequently, but discoloration could also be a sign of a health problem like heart disease, diabetes or vitamin deficiency, or even a result of using certain medications. Once you rule out any health issues as being the cause of discoloration, use can focus on some home remedies to whiten your natural nails.

Step 1

Pour 1 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide and 2 ½ tbsp. baking soda into a plastic bowl. Stir up the ingredients until a paste forms.

Step 2

Dip a cotton swab into the mixture. Working on one hand at a time, press the mixture under the tip of each nail, then spread some over the top of each nail.

Step 3

Leave the paste on your nails for three minutes. Rinse your hand with warm water and repeat for other hand.

Step 4

Brush your nails with a toothbrush and whitening toothpaste if they still need a bit of whitening. Scrub the top and underside of each nail for a few minutes, then rinse well to remove the toothpaste.