Don't you hate it when you get an itch in the middle of your back? No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot contort your body into any position that'll allow you to scratch that spot that's crying out for attention.

Hopefully, a loved one or a good friend will be close by to help you out. There's nothing quite like the feeling of someone's fingernails scratching that itch that used to be just out of reach.

Of course, fingernails are good for all sorts of tasks beyond scratching itches. From picking up coins off the ground to scratching off the silver surface of a lottery ticket, fingernails come in handy in many situations every day.

The kind of work fingernails do tends to be dirty work, though. After a long day of work or school — even if you're faithful to wash your hands multiple times throughout the day — your fingernails will likely have accumulated some dirt and grime under them.

When you wash your hands, you can pay special attention to your fingernails. However, it's not always possible to get all the dirt out from under them. Sometimes you need to trim them and use a special brush to clean deep under the nails.

Alternatively, you could give your fingernails and hands some pampering with a special treatment regimen known as a manicure. A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the hands and especially the fingernails. Although a manicure can be done at home, many people choose to go to a nail salon for a professional manicure.

A typical manicure involves filing and shaping of the fingernails, including pushing back and clipping the cuticles, which is the skin that grows at the base of the fingernails. In addition to massaging, soaking, and moisturizing the hands, a manicure also typically includes the application of nail polish to the fingernails.

Some girls may choose bright, flashy colors for their nails, while others might choose a clear or pale pink polish with a thin strip of white polish on the tips, which is known as a French manicure. Others might choose to have designs, decals, or imitation jewels added to their nails. Popular manicure treatments also include the application of artificial nail gels, tips, and acrylics.

What about the nails on your toes? For those, you can get a pedicure, which is the same treatment as a manicure but on your feet and toenails!

While manicures and pedicures may sound like something that only women would get, that's certainly not the case. Men who want to keep their hands, fingernails, feet, and toenails in tip-top shape also get manicures and pedicures. They just tend to skip the step where pretty polish is applied!

Experts believe that manicures can be traced back at least 5,000 years. That's no surprise, since manicures help to maintain the health of your fingernails. A good manicure will also leave your nails polished and sparkling with beautiful color. The manicure process also allows you to relax and feel pampered, which can reduce stress levels and improve your mood!

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