Avoid Contact With Water
Dont stop washing your hands or shower with gloves on, but do pay attention to ways you can reduce the time your nails spend in contact with water, because excessive water contact can weaken nail structure. For example, consider wearing gloves while doing the dishes or other wet work.
You know how soft and bendy nails get after a long bath? Consider this: The nail is like a sponge. It is 1,000 times more absorptive of water than the skin, for example, and so water can easily diffuse into the nail, Dr. Stern says. Excessive water exposure can put significant strain on delicate nail cells , which can lead to brittleness, peeling, and breakage, she says.
This is also why soaking nails before a manicure is bad practice. Not only does this make your nails more vulnerable to infection, according to Dr. Green, but it also doesnt allow nail polish to adhere as well or last as long.
Take A Biotin Supplement
Biotin is one of the B vitamins. Because its water-soluble, it isnt stored by the body, so you have to ensure that you consume it daily.
Biotin can help strengthen hair and nails and also helps the bodys nervous system to function properly. It can be found in foods like sardines, cooked eggs, and legumes, or you can take a B vitamin or supplement.
Check with your healthcare provider before taking a biotin supplement to ensure that its safe for you.
Always Cut Your Nails
As much as you might love the look of long, beautifully-shaped fingernails, its best to avoid growing them out if you want to make them stronger. Keep your nails shorter, as the longer they are, the easier it is for them to get traumatized, says Dr. Jaber. Short nails are far less likely to be broken in your everyday life. As an added bonus, its also much easier to maintain the appearance of nails when theyre short! Discover more tips to protect your nails.
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Brittle Peeling Or Splitting Nails
Do you have brittle, peeling or splitting nails? Do you have difficulty in growing them long? Do you feel they are getting softer and weaker?
Onychoschizia is the term used by dermatologist for the nails that are brittle i.e. they might get soft, dry, weak and split or peel off easily. Brittle nails are common in women and can affect both, the fingers and toe nails.
They might be an indicator of nutritional deficiency, underlying medical disorder or wrong nail care. In this article, we would help you understand the reason for getting brittle nails and what you can do at your end to address them.
Home Remedies For Brittle Nails
- Post author
While working in the kitchen or at home or at any workplace, you face a split nail and now its looking worse with broken nails. There are numerous therapeutic conditions which easily influence the shape of the fingernails. When your nails are weak that implies that your nails will effortlessly get split, chipped or even peeled or it can also be also due to presentation of nails to different damp conditions like swimming or dishwashing.
Even there are fewer infections, which can make nails brittle, which may incorporate fragility. Often brittle nails are considered as an indication of hypothyroidism, many a times. Taking biotin supplements can help sometimes of fragile nails, and use of lotions in the wake of absorbing water can likewise be of advantage.
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Why Does It Have To Be Young Living Essential Oil
I have written in several places about why I believe Young Living products to be second to none on the market. Frankincense is one of the oils, especially, that you can tell an IMMEDIATE difference in quality from any other brand just by smelling the product. And once you actually use the product and see the phenomenal results, youll understand even more clearly. Frankincense is a very expensive oil to produce, and the price tag can make it very tempting to go for a cheaper alternative. But Im telling you right now, spending $12 on a bottle of cheap Frankincense, in the end, will just be a waste of $12. Please remember that terms like puretherapeutic grade and undiluted arent regulated by the FDA. Such things can be applied to labels and the container might only contain 5% of the essential oil you think you are buying, and the rest is chemical additives. Young Living is the only company with the Seed to Seal guarantee. They go through rigorous testing all along the way to make sure that the very best product is the end result. If the results dont meet expectations, the product isnt sold, simple as that.
Easy Ways To Strengthen Your Nails
We all want strong, thick, beautiful nails. But simply going about our lives can become a minefield of potentially nail-damaging situations.
Here at Julep weve put a lot of thought, love, and science into helping you strengthen your nails with products like Take a Breather Oxygen Nail Treatment, Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum, and our Color That Treats Nail Polish. All these products let your nails breathe while infusing them with natural nail-strengthening ingredients.
But even with the help of powerful nail treatments, growing your healthiest nails ever starts with fine-tuning your everyday habits. Here are our top tips for strengthening nails and preventing nail damageso you can better enjoy all your gorgeous manicures.
Limit water exposure.
Wear gloves when you wash dishes, and dont soak nails in the bath or pool for too long. Keep your nails outside the water for most of your soak.
But drink lots of water.
Hydration is key for beautiful skin, hair, and nails. Drink lots of water throughout the day, and youll feel and look betterall the way down to your hydrated cuticles and nails. A balanced diet that includes plenty of protein will also help improve nail health.
Keep your nails on the shorter side.
Make cuticle oil or crème a part of your routine.
Try a DIY olive oil nail soak.
Avoid alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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Is Argan Oil Antibacterial
The treatment of skin infections is one of the traditional uses of argan oil. Antibacterial and fungicidal properties are found in argan oil. This enables it to aid in the treatment and prevention of both bacterial and fungal skin infections. Apply argan oil topically to the affected area at least twice a day.
Causes Of Brittle And Brittle Nails
Brittle nails are characterized by breaking and chipping very easily, being weak, thin and very inconsistent. There are several factors that can cause damage to the keratin of the nails and that these are later very weak and soft. Below, are possible causes of brittle nails:
- Deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamins A and B, iron, calcium, zinc, and protein can cause brittle and weak nails.
- Constant or repetitive use with aggressive cleaning products or chemicals.
- Excessive contact of the nails with water or having your hands soak for prolonged periods of time.
- Problems with calcium retention, which can become visible on the nails.
- Using poor quality files or using this type of tool incorrectly.
- Use of poor quality nail polishes.
- Having some type of infection in the nails or fingers, such as fungi.
- Suffering from affections or diseases, such as anemia, kidney or liver pathologies, thyroid disorders, circulatory disorders, etc.
- The habit of nail-biting.
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What Causes Brittle Nails
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology , brittle nails fall into two categories: dry and brittle or soft and brittle.
Dry and brittle nails are the result of too little moisture. Theyre most commonly caused by the repeated washing and drying of fingernails.
On the other hand, soft and brittle nails are caused by too much moisture, often a result of overexposure to detergents, household cleaners, and nail polish remover.
Other causes of brittle nails include:
- Age. Nails commonly change as people age, often becoming dull and brittle. While toenails commonly get thicker and harder, fingernails often become thinner and more brittle.
- Iron deficiency. This condition occurs when the body doesnt get enough iron, which leads to low red blood cell levels. Your doctor may measure your ferritin level and provide supplementation if its found to be low.
- Hypothyroidism. Along with brittle nails, symptoms of low thyroid levels may include hair loss, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and depression. Your doctor can treat hypothyroidism with the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, which can be taken orally.
- Raynauds syndrome. Characterized by circulation problems in the extremities, this condition can affect nail health. Your doctor may prescribe calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine or nifedipine, or alternatives, such as losartan, fluoxetine, or sildenafil.
Become A Nail Filing Master
Go with a soft nail file to keep the edges of your nails smooth, says Dr. Klein. With rougher grains, you run the risk of making tears in the nail, which can lead to peeling and hangnails.
File your nails in one direction, using long and swift strokes. Back and forth see-saw motions will cause the nail to splinter, says Dr. Solomon, who recommends using the Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator 4-Way Nail Buffer.
The micro-fiber material its made from is very gentle on the nails, but still manages to achieve a clean shape, she says.
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Biotin Is Probably The Best Supplement Ingredient To Possibly Help Brittle Nails
I tell patients to go to their favorite, high-quality natural food store and ask the vitamin specialist for their best nail formula. It’s important to know that many of the ingredients in these supplements are lavishly present in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, natural oils, beans, and fish.
Eating a richly nutritious diet is key to supporting healthy nails and vitamin supplements should be used in addition to, not in place of, a healthy diet.
Be patient. Your fingernails grow slowly at a rate of about 1mm per month. As you age, the growth slows down even more. This means it will take several months for the dry and split portion of your nails to grow out.
If your entire nail is brittle, it could take as long as a year for your nails to improve. Keep up the good nail care, nutritious diet and your vitamin supplements, hang in there and don’t give up!
Lastly, there are internal diseases that can affect splitting fingernails, the most common being thyroid problems and anemia. Some skin diseases affect the nails as well and cause splitting. If your nails don’t improve, see your doctor.
References:
Abdullah L, Abbas O., Common nail changes and disorders in older people: Diagnosis and management.Can Fam Physician. 2011 57:173181.
Got Thin Peeling Or Cracked Nails Here Are 6 Reasons Why
Getting a manicure is one of the best ways to pamper yourself but if your nails are thin, peeling, and cracked, one of the most enjoyable experiences becomes anything but. After all, nails that arent in tip-top shape arent exactly #ManiMonday worthy. Or, if youre a guy or the naked nail type it can be frustrating, or even embarrassing, to have nails that look so distraught. And youre not alone! According to medical research, nearly 20% of the world population suffers from weak, brittle nails. But why the heck are your nails breaking so easily?
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Why Nails May Become Weak
Nails can be in poor condition as a result of many diseases, poor nutrition, and malabsorption of nutrients. By identifying and treating the underlying cause, you can help your nails become strong again. First, lets look at some other things that can make your nails brittle.
Two of the biggest causes of weak nails come from the same source: moisture. There are two primary ways your nails can be weak:
- Dry and brittle nails can be caused by too little moisture. Any place with very low humidity, like the dry and arid climate of the desert, can damage your nails. Dry nails can also be caused by excessively washing and drying your hands.
- Soft and brittle nails come from too much moisture. Repeated or prolonged contact with water can contribute to split fingernails.
Do you use a lot of nail polish remover or expose your bare hands to a lot of cleaning detergents? When your nails are regularly exposed to these chemicals, it can affect their structure and weaken them.
Now that you know a few of the things that can weaken nails, well explain how to strengthen your nails.
If you use a lot of cleaning chemicals with your bare hands, these chemicals are likely weakening your nails. Wearing gloves when you use strong detergents and cleaners can help.
Here are some other tips you can try.
Dont Overdo The Hand Sanitizer
Because hand sanitizers are typically alcohol-based, constantly applying the stuff can dry out your nails and leave them super brittle. If you have to use hand sanitizer, try not to get it on your nails, and dont overdo it, says Dr. Solomon. Using hand sanitizer wipes can make it easier to avoid the nail area during applicationor if you prefer the liquid variety, make sure to slather on moisturizer afterward to balance the scales.
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Protect Your Nails From Chemical And Uv Exposure
In case you didn’t know: Your nails can experience sun damage, too, turning them yellow, brittle, or dimpled. To protect your tips, experts recommend a UV filter polish that’s able to absorb the rays .
On the chemical front, it’s important to be mindful of any harsh ingredients seeping into your nails. You might have swapped your acetone polish remover, sure, but think about other ways your nails are exposed to chemicals on the daily. For example, if you have traditional dish soap in your kitchen, perhaps wear gloves while cleaning to avoid drying out the nails. “It might be a small step, but over time you’ll notice the difference in your health and the appearance of your nails,” says Lin.
Eat More Foods That Promote Strong Nails
Avoid yo-yo dieting, which can lead to vitamin deficiencies that may put the strength of your nails in jeopardy. Make sure you eat enough protein and calcium too, which are thought to promote nail health, says Robin Evans, MD, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Loading up on biotin-rich foods, such as veggies, eggs, and nuts, may also help.
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Keep Them On The Shorter Side
If youre having trouble with weak nails, consider cutting down the length while you build up their strength, suggests Dr. Solomon. Shorter nails are less prone to breaking because there are fewer exposed edges to tear, and less surface area where water and chemicals can be absorbed. Once trimmed, prevent snags by gently rounding the edges with a nail file.
Wear Gloves For Chores
When doing the dishes, cleaning and gardening, wear gloves. Detergents and cleansers are harsh on your fingernails, causing drying, spitting and peeling. Soil and gardening can also cause damage to your nails.
As Dr. Tanzi pointed out, the best way to take care of hands and nails is to avoid drying them out. Frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap is very harsh, she says. I recommend washing with a gentle cleanser, which will sanitize just as well as harsh products and a good moisturizer afterward to lock in the hydration. At night, a thicker moisturizer on hands with a rich cuticle cream will keep hands/nails looking great.
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Dermatologist’s 3 Simple Tricks To Treat Cracked And Splitting Fingernails
#1. Hydrate your nails and add oils.
Do this by using creams, oils and ointments on your nails every day after they’ve been wet. My favorite remedy is good old fashioned Bag Balm which is made with wool alcohol . Know that the thicker the cream, the better. Oil-rich products or ointments are best. The trick is to use something that stays put for a while and does not rub off right away.
One of my other favorite hydrating ingredients for nails is glycerin. It is in my Dry Skin Hand Cream. This is a great product to apply to your hand and nails numerous times a day after washing. It is non-greasy and convenient making it easy to use. It’s important to moisturize skin and nails immediately after water exposure: applying moisturizers to dry nails is not nearly as effective.
Always apply moisturizer within minutes after your bath or shower, or after washing your hands. Do it as often as possible.
I love this hand cream I wash my hands so many times during my work day that they would be chapped and cracked if it weren’t for my Dry Skin Hand Cream. I keep it in my lab coat pocket! Dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey
Use the Hand Cream many times during the day and the Bag Balm at bedtime to create an intensive healing treatment to help keep your nails from splitting. If your nails are really bad, you may want to even apply Bag Balm to them numerous times a day after washing your hands.
#2. Clip and file your nails when they’re wet.
