How to Lighten Dark Toenails

Many factors can cause discolored toenails, whether health-related (poor diet or fungi) or cosmetically charged (using dark nail polish too often).

Regardless of why you’re struggling with nail discoloration, one thing is for sure: you want to get rid of it ASAP.

And while certain things - such as a toenail fungus, fungal infections, or poor diet will need to be fixed from the inside with diet changes, ointments, and medications, there are still some other ways to treat nail discoloration in the meantime.

Ladies - let’s discuss how to lighten dark toenails safely and effectively.

How to Lighten Dark Toenails: Five Ways

There are five ways to lighten dark toenails - yeah, you read that correctly - five.

That said, you’re likely to have at least one of these ingredients on-hand.

1. Commercial Products

If you’re dealing with some kind of nail fungus, it’s recommended to treat toenail fungus/fungal infection before trying to lighten your toenails.

The good news is that most people will see their black, brown, green, or yellow nails recover to a beautiful and healthy translucent shade once the fungus has subsided.

If you’re still struggling with fungus, make sure you visit your doctor to get help right away.

Are you struggling with yellow toenails due to a different reason, such as nail polish-related discoloration?

There are also other commercial products, such as a commercial toenail whitener or a nail whitening pencil geared towards lightening and strengthening the affected nail(s).

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is used for many things around the house. But did you know it could also be used to get rid of discolored nails?

The easiest way to use hydrogen peroxide is to cover your nail plate with the product and let it dry.

You do not need to rinse your feet afterward.

3. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

Want to whiten toenails naturally?

For those that prefer a more natural concoction, blend baking soda with one teaspoon lemon juice until it becomes a fizzy baking soda paste.

Using a cotton swab, apply to the affected nail for around 10 minutes.

Then, rinse your feet with warm water and liquid soap.

4. Whitening Toothpaste

Your toothpaste doesn’t have to be used solely on your teeth. That’s right - even whitening toothpaste can be a great way to get rid of yellow toenails.

Place a dollop of toothpaste on an old toothbrush or nail brush. Then, gently scrub the toothpaste onto your nail bed.

Let the mixture sit on your nails for around 10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water and soap.

5. White Vinegar

White vinegar is another one of those handy household ingredients in everyone’s kitchen cabinet that can work to eliminate dark toenails for good.

Simply fill a plastic bowl with equal parts warm water and vinegar.

Dip your toes into the solution for around 20-30 minutes, then rinse.

6. Denture Cleaner

If you have any denture cleaner on hand, you can use it to whiten nails.

To create the foot soak, drop a tablet of the cleaner into a bowl filled with warm water. Mix it until it has dissolved thoroughly.

Then, dip your toes inside the concoction, soak for 20-30 minutes, and rinse with soapy water.

How to Prevent Discolored Toenails

“True prevention is not waiting for bad things to happen; it’s preventing things from happening in the first place.” - Don McPherson.

With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to prevent toenail discoloration - whether you have thin or thick toenails.

Wear the Right-Sized Shoes

Shoes that do not fit properly can lead to injuries, which can cause black toenails. That said, always wear the correct shoe size.

Wear (Clean) Socks

Do you frequently forgo socks? Stop that - now. Nails regularly succumb to a bacterial infection when there is too much moisture in the shoes, which is commonly caused by a lack of socks.

While we’re at it - try wearing moisture-wicking socks for the best results.

Wash Your Feet Often

Washing your feet with hot water (not too hot that it burns, though) will be imperative for fending off fungi and infections.

You may also consider using a good moisturizer to reduce the onset of issues.

Keep Your Feet Dry

Moisture is a significant cause of fungi. That said, make sure you are always drying off your feet after they come in contact with water - swimming, showering, etc.

This is especially true if you’re going to wear shoes immediately afterward.

Use a Base Coat Underneath Nail Polish

A base layer is essential, whether you’re applying acrylic nails to your fingernails or polish to your toenails.

It is even more essential for toenails suffering from discoloration, especially when using a darker polish.

The layer will act as a “barrier” to prevent the darker hues from seeping into your nails, a major contributing factor to discoloration.

Never wear nail polish (especially dark polish) for longer than two weeks. You might consider nixing the nail polish altogether for a while.

Find Out Any Underlying Causes

If you’ve tried everything, from commercial products to home remedies using an essential oil like tea tree oil, and still have no luck with your nails, discuss it with your doctor.

There may be an underlying cause - such as certain medications - that needs to be remedied before you can enjoy healthy nails.

Lighten Dark Toenails FAQs

How can I make my toenails healthy again?

A good diet and ample hydration can pair with other essential steps, such as daily cleaning of the nails, moisturizing the nails, keeping nails short and trimmed, and occasional massages.

Why do toenails get thick?

Psoriasis, aging, injury, and infection can all lead to excessively thick toenails.