Are your nails dry, brittle and cracking? If so, then you are not alone. It’s estimated that over half of all adult women experience some form of nail problems at one point or another in their lives.
While there are many potential causes for these issues including age, poor diet and genetics there are also many things you can do at home to improve the health of your nails.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Proper nail care and attention are crucial for maintaining the health of your nails. |
| Incorporating moisturizing practices and avoiding harsh chemicals can help prevent dry and brittle nails. |
| Following a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can promote overall nail health. |
| Regularly trimming your nails and avoiding excessive length can prevent them from becoming brittle. |
| Exploring additional resources for strengthening and caring for your nails can provide valuable tips and techniques. |
| Remember to consult a healthcare professional or licensed nail technician for personalized guidance and advice. |
Take Note Of Your Diet
Fish: Omega-3 fatty acids help keep your nails healthy because they strengthen the protein in your nails. Salmon, tuna and sardines are great sources of omega-3s.
Eggs: Your body needs biotin to make keratin, which is what keeps your nails strong. Eggs are a good source of biotin.
Chicken: One cup of cooked chicken provides about 12 milligrams of zinc (a mineral for strong bones and skin), which also helps prevent brittle nails. If you don’t eat meat, try fortified foods like cereals or multivitamins for an extra boost in zinc intake; another option is drinking milk with a meal that contains zinc because it increases the body’s absorption rate by up to 40%.
Yogurt: Get calcium from yogurt to help strengthen bones and increase nail growth rate as well as protect against age spots on hands due to UV light exposure — all causes of weak nails!
Building and maintaining long, strong nails requires proper care and attention. Our article on 10 Secrets to Long Strong Nails Revealed provides essential tips and techniques to help you achieve healthy and resilient nails that you’ll be proud to show off.
Limit The Use Of Nail Polish And Remover
If you’re a frequent user of nail polish, it may be time to rethink your routine. Nail polish is composed of several different types of chemicals, including formaldehyde (which you can read more about here) and methyl methacrylate, both known irritants that can damage your nails if used frequently or in large amounts.
In general, any product that contains acetone will dry out your nails and cuticles more than they would otherwise be dried out by exposure to air alone.
So how should we use these products without ruining our nails? I recommend using acetone-free remover as often as possible; some brands include Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover Wipes ($7 for a pack of 20) and Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Pen ($5).
When removing makeup from your face at night before bedtime or after a shower/bath, try using coconut oil instead: it’s antibacterial and nourishing for skin in addition to being awesome at dissolving waterproof mascara!
Great nail care practices are key to keeping your nails fabulous. Discover effective tips and methods in our guide to DIY Nail Care: How to Keep Your Nails Looking Fabulous, ensuring your nails always look their best and are well-nourished.
Consider A Keratin Treatment For Your Nails
If you’re feeling frustrated by your dry, brittle nails, consider a keratin treatment. This type of treatment uses a chemical solution to help strengthen and smooth the cuticle. While it won’t eliminate peeling or chipping completely, it can make them much less common.
Keratin treatments can be administered at salons or in the comfort of your own home (if you have the right equipment).
The process involves soaking cotton balls or pads in acetone and wrapping them around each finger and thumb for about 20 minutes before removing them. You then wait for about two hours before washing off any remaining residue with soap and water.
The results should last anywhere from two weeks to three months depending on how often you wash your hands during that period and whether or not they get damaged again during this time by overexposure to water or other chemicals like nail polish remover!
Stay Away From Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are a popular choice for nail art, but they’re also damaging to your skin. The acrylic resin creates an extremely hard surface that can damage your natural nail plate and cause infections (including a fungal infection called onychomycosis).
If you make the mistake of having them removed by tearing off your real nails instead of just filing down the acrylic ones, you’ll likely damage your nail bed as well. This can lead to permanent scarring and difficulty growing new healthy nails in that spot.
If you have an infected cuticle or hangnail, it’s best not to try using glue or tape to cover it up with an artificial covering like acrylics; doing so will only increase the risk of infection spreading into other areas of your body via blood vessels underneath the skin near where these materials were applied!
Achieve salon-quality manicures at the comfort of your own home with our comprehensive resource, The Ultimate Guide to At-Home Manicures. From preparation to polish application, this guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of achieving flawless nails from the convenience of your home.
| Potential Issues | |
|---|---|
| ⚠️ | Risk of nail damage |
| ⛔ | Increased susceptibility to infections |
| ❌ | Nail weakness and thinning |
| 🚫 | Potential allergic reactions |
| 📉 | Negative impact on natural nail health |
Wear Gloves When You Need To
When you’re cleaning the house or doing other chores that involve water, it’s a good idea to wear gloves.
This will prevent water from drying out your skin and splitting your nails. It can also protect your hands from getting sunburned while they’re exposed to the elements.
Give Your Cuticles Some Love
If you want to keep your nails looking their best, it’s important to take care of the area surrounding them as well.
The cuticles are an often-overlooked part of our manicure routine that can cause many problems if left unkempt.
They’re located at the base of each nail and protect it from bacteria and other contaminants, but they can become dry or damaged over time. If they become too thick it can make your nails look dull and brittle; in severe cases they may even split or tear off completely!
There are several different ways to help prevent this from happening:
This includes using cuticle oil every day before bedtime; using a cuticle remover/exfoliator once per week; using a pusher tool before applying polish (this pushes back any excess skin); trimming away dead skin with an emery board after showering (or just gently push back with a towel); filing down uneven edges with the pusher prior to painting; removing excess buildup around your nailbeds after painting by pressing down firmly with cotton balls soaked in acetone or rubbing alcohol — whatever works best for you!
Lastly, don’t forget about those pesky hangnails! You can either use scissors or just rip them off if necessary – whichever method works better for you personally 🙂
For flawless and professional-looking manicures, our article on Get the Perfect Manicure Every Time with These Pro Tips offers expert advice and techniques. Say goodbye to smudges and imperfections, and say hello to perfectly manicured nails you’ll love.
Moisturize Your Hands And Nails
Moisturizing your hands and nails can help keep them looking healthy. This is especially important in the winter, when the air is dry and cold temperatures make our skin more susceptible to cracking or flaking.
If you want to moisturize your hands and nails, there are several options:
Use a hand lotion. A good quality hand lotion is a great way to hydrate both your hands and nails at the same time.
The best type of lotion for this purpose should be oil-free (if you’re using one with oils that can cause breakouts on your face). Look for one that’s free from parabens and phthalates as well, because these ingredients can also cause problems for sensitive skin types like yours!
Use an oil like jojoba oil instead of regular petroleum jelly or Vaseline® (which might clog pores) if you aren’t comfortable putting greasy substances on sensitive areas like eyelids where moisture content may already be high enough due to tears produced daily during sleep cycles…
Opt For A Manicure With Moisture-Rich Products.
When you’re getting your nails done, ask your nail technician to use a hydrating base coat and top coat. You can also apply cuticle oil or hand cream to moisturize the skin around your nails before getting them done.
In addition, be sure to choose a nail polish that’s rich in moisture-boosting ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E; this will help keep your nails strong and healthy for longer.
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| 💅 | Nourishes and moisturizes nails and cuticles |
| 🌟 | Improves nail strength and flexibility |
| 🌸 | Enhances nail health and appearance |
| 🌺 | Prevents dryness and brittleness |
| 🌷 | Adds shine and luster to the nails |
Experience the Benefits of Moisture-Rich Manicures
Choosing a manicure that utilizes moisture-rich products provides multiple advantages for your nails and cuticles. Enjoy the nourishing and moisturizing effects, which enhance nail strength, flexibility, health, and appearance. Say goodbye to dryness and brittleness, and welcome the shine and luster that moisture-rich manicures can bring to your nails.
Keep Nail Length Short And Eat Protein-Rich Foods
Keep your nails short.
This may be easier said than done, but a good manicure can help you avoid the potential for breakage that comes with long nails.
If you’re looking for an alternative to nail polish, try using a clear protective coat instead—this will protect your nails from breaking and splitting over time. You can also try wearing rubber gloves when doing things like housework or gardening to prevent them from getting chipped and broken.
If you’re interested in strengthening your nails naturally, aim for an average of 20 grams of protein each day (that’s roughly equivalent to eating one chicken breast).
Protein-rich foods include eggs, fish, chicken breast or thigh fillets (without skin), nuts and seeds like almonds and walnuts as well as soy products such as tofu or tempeh are all great sources of this macronutrient which helps build strong hair follicles that make it easier for us to grow healthy hair or nail clippings!
Explore trendy and stylish nail art ideas in our article, Nail Art Ideas You Need to Try Now (So Trendy). Discover creative techniques, designs, and inspiration to elevate your nail game and show off your unique style
Try Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplements
If you’re not a fan of the idea of taking vitamins and supplements, this one may be right up your alley. Hydrolyzed collagen is a protein that helps keep nails healthy by strengthening them and boosting their growth.
It also helps with hair growth, so if you’re suffering from an over-processed or damaged mane like me, this could be what you need.
Hydrolyzed collagen can be taken orally as a powder mixed into water or applied directly to the nails as a cream (make sure you get it on thick).
You’ll find hydrolyzed collagen supplements in most health food stores or online retailers like Amazon.
Drink More Water
You may have heard that drinking more water is good for your skin and nails, but it’s also a key component of many diets.
If you don’t like the taste of water, try adding some lemon or cucumber slices to give it a twist: Studies show that consumption of vitamin C-rich foods can not only increase the amount of water you drink, but also improve kidney function and reduce inflammation.
In addition to improving overall health, these benefits can help stave off dryness in your nail bed (and elsewhere).
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| 💧 | Hydrates the body |
| 🌟 | Promotes healthy skin and complexion |
| 🌞 | Enhances overall well-being |
| 💦 | Supports proper digestion |
| 🌊 | Aids in detoxification |
Explore the Benefits of Staying Hydrated
Incorporating proper hydration, especially by drinking more water, offers numerous benefits that can positively impact your overall health and well-being.
Enjoy the various advantages, such as improved hydration, better skin health, enhanced well-being, proper digestion support, and overall detoxification. Stay refreshed and invigorated with regular water intake.
Conclusion
Nail health and growth are important to us all. When you care for your nails, they become a beautiful extension of your hands.
The tips above can help you achieve healthy nails and prevent damage from occurring in the future.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on strengthening and caring for your nails:
How to Strengthen Nails: A comprehensive guide from Healthline that provides tips and techniques to strengthen your nails, promoting their overall health and resilience.
Nail Slugging 101: How to Kiss Dry Brittle Nails Goodbye: Beautify.tips examines the concept of “nail slugging” and explains how this technique can be used to combat dry and brittle nails effectively.
Say Goodbye to Brittle Nails: YouBeauty.com provides insights into the causes of brittle nails and offers practical tips and tricks to address this common nail concern.
FAQs
How can I strengthen my nails naturally?
There are several natural methods you can try to strengthen your nails. One approach is to incorporate a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that promote nail health, such as biotin and iron. Additionally, make sure to keep your nails moisturized and avoid using harsh chemicals or overexposing them to water.
What are some common causes of dry and brittle nails?
Dry and brittle nails can be caused by various factors. Some common causes include exposure to harsh chemicals, excessive hand washing, prolonged exposure to water, nutritional deficiencies, and using harsh nail products without proper moisturization.
Are there any specific nail care products that can help improve the health of my nails?
Yes, there are nail care products available that can help improve the health of your nails. Look for products that contain ingredients like keratin, biotin, vitamin E, and jojoba oil, as these can help nourish and strengthen your nails.
How often should I trim my nails to maintain their health?
Regularly trimming your nails is important for maintaining their health. Aim to trim your nails once every one to two weeks to prevent them from becoming too long and prone to breakage.
Can certain lifestyle habits contribute to healthier nails?
Absolutely! Living a healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on the health of your nails. Getting enough sleep, managing stress levels, staying hydrated, and avoiding excessive use of harsh chemicals can all contribute to stronger and healthier nails.
Please note that while these resources and FAQs can provide valuable information, it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a licensed nail technician for personalized guidance and advice.
Hi, you! I’m Hellen James. I’m a beauty and fashion writer who loves to make the world a little more stylish and I’d love for you to join me in the fun! I’ve been writing about beauty and fashion since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until recently that I really knew what it meant to be a real expert.