As you go about your day, you'll immediately notice that short nails have some notable advantages over lengthy talons. For one thing, long nails make everyday tasks like getting dressed and preparing a meal significantly more difficult. Sure, there are plenty of hacks available, like using your knuckles when applying styling products to your hair and making sure you always carry tweezers. But if you like to keep things simple and save strategizing for tasks bigger than putting on your jeans, short nails will exponentially simplify your life.
Then there's the ick factor. As expert dermatologist Dr. Soma told Glamour UK, "Long nails are a perfect hideout for pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, that get trapped under there." It's tough to clear away all those germs, even with the most conscientious hand-washing routine. Additionally, longer nails provide more room for these unwelcome inhabitants. "Studies have found 32 different bacteria and 28 different fungi underneath fingernails," Jeffrey Kaplan, a biology professor at American University, warned USA Today.
This is a major contrast to ancient times when people believed that longer nails were a sign of good health. Besides the risk of falling ill or developing a nail infection, some of the procedures utilized to achieve long nails can be detrimental to your nails' general health. For example, when your natural nails are filed to apply acrylic nails during an appointment, it can weaken them, leading to the nails breaking more easily.
