Best tips for hardening and strengthening nails, Household chores, chemicals, frequent hand washing, and weather conditions can attack and damage nails, making them soft, brittle, and fragile. Are you wondering how to strengthen them and keep them healthy? We offer practical advice and natural tips to strengthen your weak nails and improve their resistance. All you need is to establish an appropriate care routine.
What causes your nails to weaken?
Your nails may lack strength and vitality and become soft and brittle, due to various factors such as aging, nutritional deficiencies, or even damage caused by the use of cleaning products containing chemicals. If your fingernails split while your toenails remain strong, it is likely due to an external factor. Certain daily practices can weaken and brittle your nails.
- Frequent hand washing: Excessive hand washing or frequent use of alcohol-based sanitizers can dehydrate nails, making them weak and brittle.
- Frequent salon manicures: Gel polish and acrylic nails, when applied regularly, can damage nails. These products form a barrier that prevents water from evaporating. This leads to excessive hydration of the nail, which can lead to separation of the nail plate. Additionally, Dr. Adel, a dermatologist popular on TikTok, explains that “ using products containing formaldehyde can damage the nail and cause onycholysis, ” or separation. She adds that “ exposure to acetone can also dry out and dehydrate the nail,” the expert adds.
- Exposure to cold: Exposing hands to extreme temperatures, especially in winter, can weaken nails, making them weak and brittle.
What are the signs that your nails may be damaged?
Healthy, strong nails are often a reflection of a healthy lifestyle. However, there are some signs that your nails are unhealthy and require special attention and care.
- Discoloration: Yellow nails, white spots, or even ridges can indicate that your nails are fragile. “Visible signs that your nails are not healthy include discoloration, ridges, and brittle nails,” explains manicure expert Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz.
- Changes in nail thickness: Nails that become abnormally thick also indicate that they are damaged or indicate a health problem.
- Changes in nail shape: Nails that change shape, have ridges, bumps, or an unusual curvature are signs to watch for.
- Splitting nails: This is also a sign that indicates nail fragility and frequent exposure to chemicals.
How to harden nails and make them stronger?
We want to have pretty hands and an impeccable manicure. But with soft nails that constantly break, it is difficult to achieve this. However, by using the right actions and an adequate care routine, we can reverse the trend! We explain how to proceed and have hard, strong nails that are resistant to external aggressions.
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01- We keep our nails short
Short nails are less prone to breakage and damage. Keeping them trimmed reduces the risk of splitting and keeps them strong and sturdy.
02-We hydrate regularly
To maintain healthy nails, moisturize them regularly with hand cream, without forgetting the skin around them. This way, the nail is nourished and protected from possible damage while preserving moisture.
03- Minimize exposure to water
Repeatedly wetting and drying your hands can contribute to dehydration of the skin and loss of moisture from the nail, making it brittle. Wear household gloves and minimize contact with water to maintain their strength.
04- We moisturize the cuticles
“Nails love oil and conditioner,” says nail specialist Michelle Saunders. The expert adds, “Healthy nails have a natural shine and are supple, with intact cuticles.” It’s important to remember that nails are made of keratin protein, so it’s important to treat them gently and condition them.
To do this, apply a cuticle cream or oil daily, making sure to massage the base of the nail to maintain good hydration of the nail.
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05- We file delicately
We all know that the beauty of the nail depends above all on its worked shape. So we file the nails but not just anyhow! We avoid the practice of going back and forth which weakens the nails. We start with the edge of the nail in one direction and in the same direction to give it the desired shape.
06- Avoid nail polish removers
The acetone contained in some nail polish removers dehydrates and weakens the nail, causing flaking and white marks. It is best to use a non-acetone nail polish remover to maintain healthy nails.
07- We feed with olive oil
Who doesn’t know the virtues of olive oil and its properties to nourish nails and cuticles? Rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, it maintains good hydration of the skin and nails. Here are our instructions for use:
- Fill a cup halfway with olive oil;
- Soak the nails in the oil for 20 minutes;
- Rinse with water.
08- We hydrate with Aloe vera
Renowned for its restorative and moisturizing properties, Aloe vera is also beneficial for nails.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera with 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a container;
- Apply the mixture to the nails;
- Leave to act for 15 minutes then rinse.
09- Garlic strengthens nails
It is its sulfur compounds and antibacterial qualities that make garlic a healthy ingredient for nails. How to use it?
- Crush two cloves of garlic to obtain a paste;
- Mix garlic with a transparent varnish and apply it to the nail daily like a varnish, for a week, and that’s it!
10- We strengthen with castor oil
Castor oil will nourish weakened nails thanks to its vitamin E content. By applying it daily with a cotton pad on the nails and performing a light massage, we provide a strengthening treatment to weakened nails. It’s not complicated and it works!
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11- We consume proteins
For strong nails, a protein intake is necessary. We do not forget to include fish, lean meats, eggs, and legumes in our diet.
12- We avoid applying acrylic nails
Used frequently, acrylic nails weaken natural nails. Therefore, avoid keeping them on permanently to allow the nails to breathe.
13- Avoid excessive use of hand sanitizers
When you say disinfectant, you say alcohol. The latter can dehydrate the nails and make them fragile and brittle. We limit its use as much as possible and avoid its direct application on the nails.
14- Protect your hands with gloves during cleaning.
Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals. Instead, opt for natural home cleaners. But if you have to use chemicals, then wearing rubber gloves is a must.
When to consult a professional?
If, despite a good nail care routine to strengthen them, they are still damaged and weakened, it is recommended in this case to consult a dermatologist who will be able to offer you an appropriate treatment.
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Here are the warning signs that should not be ignored:
- Nails that constantly break or split despite the use of beauty treatments such as oils, serums, etc.
- Unusual nail discoloration such as yellowing or white marks.
- Appearance of deep grooves or streaks on the nails.
- Sudden changes in nail texture, such as increased brittleness or soft nails.
- Persistent pain or tenderness around the nails.
- Swelling or redness around the cuticles, may indicate a possible sign of infection.
Treatment options:
Consultation with a dermatologist who will make a precise diagnosis and give you appropriate advice.
Prescription of specific supplements, such as biotin or iron to fill any nutritional deficiencies.
Use of topical treatments, such as creams or ointments, to strengthen nails.
Medical therapies to treat underlying conditions.
Podiatric interventions to treat more complex nail problems, including those related to infections or deformations.
FAQ
Is Vaseline good for nails?
When applied to the nail in a thick layer, petroleum jelly acts as an occlusive barrier to seal in the oil applied to the cuticles. This results in better penetration and protection of the nail from moisture loss, contributing to better nail health.
Which vitamin makes nails harder?
Vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy nails. We therefore make sure to consume food supplements or foods rich in vitamins A, E, iron, zinc but also biotin. This one, better known as vitamin B7, is beneficial for strengthening nails and improving their growth. Where to find this vitamin? In foods such as liver, dairy products, egg yolk, avocado, fish, sweet potato, seeds, and nuts.
Does olive oil help nails grow?
The amazing property of olive oil is due to its vitamin E content which is moisturizing and easily absorbed. It helps in strengthening and structuring the nail allowing rapid growth of brittle and dry nails.
Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds;
Massage the nails and cuticles for 5 to 10 minutes.
An ideal treatment to strengthen weakened nails that have difficulty growing. Get your bottles!