Be Gentle When Filing Nails
When youre filing nails, dont file off too much at once, and also be sure to file with care. You generally want to try filing in only one direction rather than sawing the file back and forth. The latter method can end up weakening the nail.
In addition, you want to take extra care with the sides while filing so that you dont end up overdoing it. Investing in softer nail files can be another easy way to make sure you dont get too rough with your nails as you take care of them.
What Causes Nails To Become Weak
Just like with our skin and hair, nails can become brittle and dry when we dont drink enough water, so make sure to get your two litres a day.
Ripping off gel nails or getting acrylics without a break in between appointments will also weaken them. Make sure you get them removed professionally, or give them the proper DIY removal treatment.
Wearing rubber gloves when handling detergents and bleach is also a must, as overexposure to these chemicals can make nails soft, resulting in them splitting or breaking.
Noticed it takes your nails forever to grow? You could be lacking in vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes food that is a good source of vitamin C, including peppers and broccoli. Taking a supplement may also help improve the quality of your nails, as well as your skin and hair.
However, all these methods do require a bit of patience. A strengthening product, on the other hand, can make a huge difference to the appearance of your nails in weeks.
Scientists Have Not Studied Gelatin For Nails Recently:
A. The best study we could find on gelatin was published many decades ago in the AMA Archives of Dermatology. The researchers reported that,
Forty-three of fifty patients with brittle nails who ingested gelatin daily for three months showed improvement in their nail structure.
There had been a few studies published between 1950 and 1957, and a few studies were published after it, until the early 1970s. After that time, doctors appear to have decided that it was not worth studying. Thats why your own personal study is helpful while it may not work for everyone else, you have discovered how to strengthen your nails.
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Cut Back On Gel And Acrylic Manicures
They may be touted as an easy alternative for people who have trouble growing their nails, but frequent gel or acrylic manicures can cause your nails to peel, weakening them in the process. These manicures also expose your digits to excessive amounts of acetone in the soak required to remove them, which is very drying to the nail, says Dr. Klein. If you prefer to keep these types of manicures on rotation, make sure to either give your nails time to breathe between applications or save them for special occasions.
Find The Right Treatment For Each Phase Of Dogs Nail Growth Cycle
Dog nails are made up of a protective outer covering called the nail bed and an inner layer of skin called the ungual pad. The nail bed is made up of a keratin sheath that is attached to the tip of the nail.
This is the part of the nail that grows out. The nail pad is softer than the nail bed. It covers the end of the nail and the part that grows out. It is also softer than the nail bed.
When the nail is just starting to grow, the nail bed is very soft and pliable. When the nail gets bigger, the nail bed becomes harder and less flexible. The nail starts to get stronger as it approaches the length of the nail.
After the nail has grown to its full length, the nail pad is about half as thick as the nail bed. When the nail gets cut, there is a hard layer that forms inside the nail pad. When the nail gets cut again, the new nail grows out in the same direction that the old nail grew.
At this point, it is important to look after the nail. If the nail bed is dry and brittle, the nail will be more prone to breaking. If the nail pad is dry and thick, the nail will be prone to infection
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How To Make Nails Stronger
6. Even if you dont have time for a full manicure, applying a hydrating and strengthening base coat can prevent the nails from peeling and becoming weak. We recommend switching your regular base coat for one coat of Natural Nail Strengthener, which is formulated to help your nails grow stronger.
7. Switch your nail polish remover to Expert Touch Lacquer Remover. It sweeps away even the darkest lacquer shades without the drying effects of harsh removers. The acetone in harsh removers is rough on fragile nails and can dry them out almost instantly cue peeling, splitting and those unsightly white, mottled marks.
8. Take a look at your diet, strong nails need plenty of vitamins and minerals. Consider adding more protein , biotin , zinc and iron to your diet.
9. Make sure your nails are the correct shape as you grow them out. Your nail shape should follow your cuticle shape for easy strength and growth.
Remove Gel Polish And Acrylics Correctly
Okay, so technically this isn’t a repair tip, but do this first and it can save you from having to deal with a lot of potential problems. First and foremost, repeat after us: I will not pick off a gel manicure.
“Picking off gel is probably the worst thing you can do to your nails,” says celebrity manicurist Geraldine Holford. “The immediate effects are harming the nail plate because you’re removing the top layers of the actual nail along with your polish,” she explains.
“The long-term effects are thinning of the nails, harm to the nail bed, and irregularities on the nail plate and in growth patterns.” No thank you.
ORLY’s Senior Product Testing Manager, Kelly Bannon agrees, adding that even if you soak your nails to remove the polish, you can still damage your nails if not soaked long enough or if the topcoat barrier is not broken, prohibiting the remove to reach all the gel layers. She strongly recommends having your gels removed by a professional top prevent any damage.
Pro tip: Whether you’re having gel or dip removed, ask your tech to cover your hands in hot towels while your nails are wrapped up in the acetone-soaked cotton pads the heat will help speed up the process, explains Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June.
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Use Hand Lotion Or Oil On Your Nails
Moisturizing your nails and cuticles with a good-quality hand cream can help improve their strength over time. Make sure to massage the lotion into and around your nails as you apply it to your hands.
Avoid commercial hand creams that can contain synthetic thickening agents and polyethylene glycol which may not help your nails. Instead, a more natural alternative is to choose a DIY body oil or a luscious homemade lotion with all-natural ingredients.
The Next Step Is To Stay Hydrated By Drinking Lots Of Water
Drink plenty of water every day to keep yourself hydrated. It is necessary for ones health, and it also helps to maintain the health of ones nails. Brittle nails are caused by a lack of moisture in the body, which causes them to peel and shatter. Your nails will remain strong and hydrated if you drink enough water.
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Make A Diy Cuticle Oil
Hemp oil contains magnesium and vitamin E, both of which can help strengthen your nails and keep your cuticles soft.
Massage a few drops of hemp oil into your nails and cuticles or create your own DIY cuticle oil: Blend one tablespoon each of hemp oil, jojoba oil, and apricot kernel oil with a quarter teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
Change Your Nail Care Products
We think we are taking good care of our nails when we perform a little manicure at home, but sometimes, doing this wrong can do more harm than good.
Removing your nail polish with an acetone-free nail polish remover will also help to protect your nails.
This is because high levels of acetone can dry out the nail, making it become weaker.
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How To Use Essential Oils To Strengthen Nails
Using these oils properly for nail care is key to enjoying the right results. First, you must use high quality essential oils. Secondly, you must use a carrier oil to dilute essential oil before application. The best carrier oils include jojoba, almond, avocado, grapeseed, evening primrose among many others. One part essential oil should be diluted with two parts carrier oil. You can also choose to use essential oil blends to make your nail serum even more powerful.
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Its Not Easy To Achieve The Nails Of Your Dreams We All Want Strong Thick Beautiful Nails
But simply going about our lives can become a minefield of potentially nail-damaging situations. But its not impossible to get stronger nails.
A few tips and tricks can help to grow those beautiful nails youve always wished for.
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.
Be careful when cleaning
Exposure to chemicals and detergents can weaken your nails, so keep your nails protected during household chores by wearing gloves.
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Avoid using your nails as tools
Even something as quick as opening a soda can or scratching off a sticker puts pressure on the weakest part of your nail and can contribute to peeling and breakage.
Orange juice
Honey
Honey helps fight bacterial and fungal growth and can help keep your nails and cuticles nourished and supple. Create a honey and lemon nail mask by mixing 2 teaspoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice. Massage this into your nails and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly.
Try a DIY olive oil nail soak
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Improperly Removing Nail Polish
There’s a reason why your nails sometimes look like crap when you peel off a gel mani or pick at your acrylics. “The way our nail polish is removed, either being peeled off or dipped in polish remover, can strip our nails of the natural hydrators that keep them healthy and strong,” says Dr. Nazarian. According to Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder and CEO of Olive & June, picking your polish can lift your nail plate, which leads to damage and peelingtwo things that aren’t only uncomfortable, but can also prevent future gels and polish from sticking properly to your nail.
How To Grow And Strengthen Your Nails
1. Invest in a soft nail file, you may have heard glass files are the way forward but while theyre pretty, longer-wearing and easy to clean, it pays to invest in a soft file. We recommend the Edge White 240 File for a smooth finish and to prevent tearing or splitting your nails.
2. Try a Biotin supplement. Studies show that brittle nails that are prone to peeling and breakage could be a sign of Biotin deficiency. Supplement your diet with an extra dose of the essential B vitamin.
3. Say hello to your nail growing and strengthening hero, Nail Envy! Our special formula contains hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium to encourage growth. We recommend applying two coats to your bare nail, then applying another coat every other day for the best results. After a week, remove it, and start again. These extra layers of protection will also add some bulk to nails that feel thin.
4. Invest in a four way buffer. This genius tool smooths the nail plate out to make it more compact, bringing the surface nail layers together to add strength.
5. Nail your filing technique. Back and forth see-saw motions will only cause the nail to splinter, so always file in one direction, using long, swift but gentle strokes, we recommend starting from the outside edge and moving to the center.
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Wear Gloves When Using Cleaning Products
Laundry and dish detergents contain all sorts of harsh chemicals, which is good for getting out stains but terrible for your nails. Pick up a pair of reusable gloves and wear them the next time youre cleaning out your house, just to give your nails an extra layer of protection. Cleaning products and wipes are good at drying out your hands and nails, leaving them brittle and dull.
Ten Over Ten Celery Oil
Celery juice is trending as an overall health booster, and this capitalizes on some of the same benefits…for your nails. Celery seed extract improves thickness and minimizes the look of ridges, but this strengthening treatment also touts a long list of other beneficial ingredients, such as vitamin B3 and zinc to help harden nails and antioxidant-rich meadowfoam seed oil to protect them from environmental damage.
To buy: $26 tenoverten.com
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Upgrade Your Nail Polish Remover
When your manicure shows signs of chipping, it’s all too easy to pick up any old bottle of nail polish remover. But those containing high concentrations of acetone is extremely harsh on fragile nails and can dry them out almost instantly cue peeling, flaking and splitting.
Your best bet? Go acetone-free. These formulas might be gentler, but don’t underestimate their ability to leave your nails perfectly clean even after a jet-black mani. There are heaps of gentle yet effective formulas out there with the muscle to whip off remnants of polish in moments.
Invest In A ‘soft’ Nail File
You might have heard that glass nail files are better for filing with, but while they’re pretty, longer-wearing and easy to clean, it pays to invest in a ‘soft’ file, according to Session Manicurist, Ami Streets.
‘To get the best finish from your filing, always opt for a soft file to prevent tearing or splitting your nails,’ she says. Her top picks? ‘Orly’s nail file is probably one of best I’ve used because of the durability and the way it gives the smoothest finish really fast.’
‘Pro products are always best and usually more hard wearing. I really like the Natural Nail Company because you can choose a file depending on whether your nails are soft or hard, and there are even options for acrylics.’
What’s more, you really need to nail your filing technique. Back and forth see-saw motions will only cause the nail to splinter, so always file in one direction, using long, swift but gentle strokes.
Pro Tip: ‘Start from the outside edge and move into the centre,’ advises Streets. ‘This technique will give you a smooth finish and more control over the shape you’re trying to achieve.’
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Commit To Monthly Maintenance
Which brings us to our next point: monthly maintenance. Whether you opt for a DIY manicure or take a trip to the salon, a regular tuneup is key to keeping those tips strong. Your nails can tell you a lot about your overall health, so use that time to make regular check-ins as well. “When you take your nail polish off, check your nail color and the strength of your nail plate before you go ahead and apply polish or treat your nails,” says Lin.
If a bare nail is more your thing, Lim still recommends proper nail hygienethat is, keeping them clipped, cleaned, and filed. “Take your fingernail and raise the free edges to see if there are any snags, and you can smooth them out. That’s a great way to maintain your nails,” she says.
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.
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Be Selective With The Nail Supplies
So much effort in the diet area can go to waste if you make a poor choice with nail products. This goes double for your basic nail care routine that you use daily, as well as with the salon nail treatments. Ask your nail technician about the quality of the professional nail suppliesthey should be able to provide vital info. For example, using a quality gel base with calcium and Vitamin E helps the nail bed grow thicker. If you have to use nail glue, choose one with strong adhesive powers to minimise quantity and application time.
