How To Fix A Vertical Split Nail
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A split nail can be painful, frustrating, and inconvenient. It tends to snag on fabrics and other objects. When it does, the rip on the nail can worsen. That is why you have to repair a split nail quickly before it gets worse.
In this article, well go through how to fix a vertical split nail, and also go over some tips on how to prevent them.
You Dont Have Enough Vitamin B7
Sometimes, breaking nails is caused by a vitamin or nutrient deficiency. The most common one is vitamin B7, and theres a water-soluble version you might have heard of: Biotin. Its important for the health of your hair, skin, and nails, which is you may have heard of it specifically when it comes to these types of supplements marketed toward women. Theres validity there: Biotin helps our body to convert the food we eat into glucose, which is what our body uses to produce energy. Biotin also helps us create the building blocks of protein fatty acids and amino acids and activate the metabolism in the roots of our hair and the cells of our nails.
The fix: Another easy solution add a biotin supplement to your daily vitamin routine. The daily dose to treat brittle nails is 2.5-5 mg a day, and there are tons of options out there, from traditional horse pills to sugary gummies.
Glue Nail Repair Method
This is the simplest method and it only involves using glue.
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Why Are Your Nails Splitting Down Middle
If your nails are splitting down the middle, it could signal a health issue that needs addressed. Your nails are made of keratin, a hard protein that protects the ends of your fingers. They are kind of like a type of claw and present in humans and many types of animals. They are formed by the shedding of dead skin cells, but can crack and split if something in your body isnt right.
Nails can tell you a lot about your health and well-being. You may notice white discolorations, red spots, bumps, or splitting due to disease. This may stem from liver issues, heart disease, or a hormonal condition. Read on to see some of the things that may cause unhealthy nails.
Typology Nail Serum With Keratin: Best Restorative Treatment After Using Nail Acrylics
Price: £11 | Buy now from Typology
Acrylic and gel nails are a fun way to jazz up your fingertips, but theres no denying they can take a toll on your nails especially if you wear them often. Its a good idea to take a break between acrylic manicures, and when you do, your nails will benefit from a nourishing and strengthening treatment. Enter this repairing and hydrating serum from cult French brand Typology.
This replenishing serum will intensively hydrate and repair damaged nails with moisturising hyaluronic acid and strengthening keratin, biotin and pro-vitamin B5. Apply 3-4 drops to nails and cuticles morning and evening for healthier, shinier and stronger nails. You can also add the serum to your hand cream, or even massage into the scalp to add strength and shine to hair.
Key specs – Pack size: 15ml
Price: £4 |
Sally Hansens award-winning Hard As Nails strengthener has stood the test of time. First launched back in 1946, the formula hasnt changed since. Despite this, it remains a classic that we find ourselves reaching for time and again. Formulated with nylon and silk proteins, the Hard As Nails strengthener provides a protective coat that will help reinforce nails from surface to edge.
Key specs – Pack size: 13.3ml
Price: £9 |
Key specs – pack size: 15ml
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Consider Popping Biotin Supplements
Its yet to be proven without a doubt, but biotin may help to strengthen hair and nails. Because its water-soluble, it isnt stored by the body, so you have to ensure that you consume it daily, says Dr. Solomon.
Generally, most adults should be getting 30 micrograms of biotin daily, according to the National Institutes of Health. The typical recommended supplemental dose is roughly up to 3,000 mcg daily for six months, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but your doctor may recommend less or more, depending on your personal health.
If theres no improvement in nail strength by that time, odds are biotin is unlikely to be helpful. But if your nails do become stronger and you decide to make biotin supplementation a regular thing, make sure you stop taking them a few days before getting any lab tests done, as large amounts of biotin in your system can skew test results.
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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The Verdict: Nail Treatments And Strengheners
For general and long-term nail health, The Organic Pharmacy nail oil wins hands down for improving the look and flexibility of nails. Nailtiques is also great for splitting or peeling nails, while Nail HQ is best to use after UV gels or acrylics.
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Essie Treat Love & Colour: Best Nail Strengthener With Colour
Price: £8 |
Perk up lacklustre nails with US manicure brand Essies Treat, Love & Colour nail strengtheners. The nourishing one-step care and colour product is available in semi-sheer shades, like peachy Tinted Love, pretty-in-pink Sheers To You, and chic Laven-dearly. It gives a healthy glow to your nails, and your digits will feel as good as they look thanks to a detoxing formula that promises to repair, hydrate and strengthen. If youre looking for a pretty polish with added nail-care benefits, the Essie Treat, Love & Colour collection will be just the job.
Key specs – Pack size: 5ml
Price: £13 |
Your morning smoothie benefits from a dose of kale, and so will your nails. The Nails Inc Nailkale Superfood nail strengthener is all you need for healthier-looking nails that dont break or chip. Thanks to its potent blend of kale extract and Nails Incs patented Regenerating Complex, vitamins A, C and K immediately increase the keratin production in your nails for ultimate hydration and nourishment. Dont be alarmed by the sheer pale-green colour of the bottle: Nailkale dries to a clear and glossy finish. Apply a base coat of Nailkale Superfood on bare nails and then top it up every couple of days for stronger and smoother nails in a couple of weeks.
Key specs – Pack size: 14ml
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Mavala Scientifique K+ Nail Hardener: 1570 John Lewis & Partners
Soft nails that split and peel need a hardener and this one is the best we’ve used in a long time. The first ever product from Mavala, it was reformulated last year to include added keratin for nourishment to ensure nails are more resistant to breaking. You can use it two to three times a week, and once dry you can follow on with a base coat and colour. Unlike some hardeners, we found it didnt make nails brittle, just hard and strong.
File In One Direction
If the file is particularly coarse, only file in one direction to avoid splitting the nail. If you can, invest in a crystal file. They seal the nail as you go, so you dont end up with any small splits. Try Leighton Denny Small Crystal Nail File, £12.50 at Boots. Its bascially the Rolls Royce of nail files.
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Are Nails Too Damaged For Acrylics
Thats not to say that all nails thatve been through the gel or acrylic process need repair, though. The telltale sign of damaged nails are when they become thin and brittle and they break off before any growth can accumulate, Hanna says. Ridges are another way to tell if there has been damage to the nail plate.
What Causes Soft Splitting Fingernails
- Hereditary nail syndromes that cause nails to be deformed.
- Age causes nails to become dry, ridged and split over time.
- Thyroid problems commonly affect nails.
- Skin conditions such as psoriasis, lichen planus, atopic eczema and alopecia aerate can cause nail fragility including splitting.
- Rheumatoid arthritis will cause nails to thin and split.
- Internal conditions such as circulatory diseases, neurologic diseases and chronic anemia can compromise necessary blood supply needs of strong nails and cause fragility.
- Systemic medicines such as some chemotherapy drugs, retinoids and antiretroviral medicines are associated with fragile and splitting nails.
- Harsh nail care products damage nail structure leading to splitting.
- Nail fungal infections can cause nail splitting.
- Severe nutritional deficiencies can result in nail fragility.
The list of conditions that can impact the strength of your nails is long and complex. It’s probably best to see a dermatologist, or at least your primary care doctor to be certain your nail changes are not the ‘tip of the iceberg’ for some other health issue such as a thyroid problem. If there isn’t a health-related cause for your nail changes then the most effective, and almost miraculous way to improve nails is with good old-fashioned nail care that hydrates your nails and replaces and protects lipids. I will give you good guidance below. First, I want to help you understand the structural issues that lead to fragile nails and splitting.
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How Do You Treat A Split Nail
In order to improve the health of your nails, you have to look at your diet, as well as moisturize, and protect your hands. This is something you should be doing every day to make sure that your nails are strong, and prevent split nails from occurring in the future. Make sure to check if there are any signs of infection or damage to the nail bed, as this can be a significant issue.
Home Remedy Nr 2 Olive Oil & Lemon
This is one of the best natural ways to grow your nails faster and makethem stronger! Soak your nails in a mixture of three tablespoons of olive oiland one tablespoon of lemon juice for 10 minutes. Follow this home treatmentfor about 10 minutes every day to strengthen your nails.Simply applying warm olive oil to the ends of your nails also serves as aneffective treatment to grow your nails.
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Add A Nail Strengthener To Your Routine
Prescription topical agents, such as Nuvail and Genadur, can help to strengthen weakened nails. While OTC nail hardeners can do the trick in the short-term, prescription strengtheners are the best choice for long-term use, since they contain chemicals that both increase the strength of the nail and trap moisture in to prevent future brittleness. Consistent and dedicated use of the nail hardeners is key for successful results, says Dr. Allawh.
Barielle No Bite Pro Growth Child
If youre a nail-biter, you also likely have very weak nails not to mention extremely slow nail growth. If youve been nailbiting for years, its definitely not going to be easy to break off the habit. But thanks to the Barielle No Bite Pro Growth, theres hope to finally stop the habit and allow your nails to grow.
While not exactly a nail strengthener, weve included the Barielle No Bite Pro Growth on our list to cater to those who have nail-biting problems. Whats great about this formula is the ease of application. Just apply on clean and dry nails.
With its intensely bitter taste, youll never want to bite your nails ever again. The product is child-friendly and may be applied on skin or cuticles. For best results, you can apply the product every other day until you finally break the habit. With regular use, youll likely break a lifelong embarrassing habit in a matter of weeks.
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- Bitterness may rub off on food items
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Tea Bag Or Silk Wrap Method For Split Repair
For this method, you will use an ordinary tea bag or a silk wrap to patch the nail and join them together. Here is how:
Repair The Split Nails With Nail Hardener Or Nail Polish
According to the Mayo Clinic, applying a protective layer of a nail-hardening agent can help to strengthen the nails and curb the splitting. According to Skinsight, nail hardeners that contain formaldehyde are especially good for split nail repair. On the downside however, they can cause brittleness even as they harden the nail.
Skinsight therefore recommends applying such products to the growing end of the nail plate only. As for acrylic hardeners, they are good for fixing a split nail, but they can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Nail hardeners aside, switching to a nail polish with nylon fibers may as well be effective in hardening the spit nails according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. A clear nail prep, applied once each week may also help to repair and fix split nails.
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Your Nails Dry Out As You Age Losing Their Natural Oils Which Act As A Glue To Hold The Nail Layers Together
If you have thin fingernails and dry skin to begin with, you can expect this to happen to you “sooner rather than later.”
Exposing your hands to harsh soaps, cleaning products, solvents, and rough work makes the problem worse because it pulls natural oil from your nails and damages the nail keratin protein. At first, your nails begin to “fray” on the edges, becoming brittle. Eventually, the layers split.
Nail hardeners make the problem of nail splitting worse, too. This is because the alcohols, formaldehyde and other chemicals in the nail hardeners really dry out your natural oils.
If Problems Persist Get An In
If you’ve adhered to the advice above and are still suffering from weak and brittle nails, it may be time to get a medical evaluation. “Nails can be affected by a variety of dermatologic conditions, including psoriasis and nail fungus,” warns Hashim. When it comes to caring for your nail health, he advises “the best approach is a balanced diet, gentle nail care, and seeking an in-person evaluation if you are concerned about any nail diseases.”
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says that dry, brittle nails are rarely caused by vitamin deficiencies or other serious medical conditions. One way to help determine if nail issues are a systemic problem or from other reasons, such as using harsh nail polishes, is to compare your toenails and fingernails. If your toenails are strong and healthy and your fingernails are breaking, then it could be from using harsh nail products or another external reason.
If both toenails and fingernails are brittle and breaking, it could be an internal issue. If it is a vitamin deficiency, low iron is often the cause and your doctor can test you for this and provide the right supplements. Other medical conditions that can cause brittle nails include Raynauds syndrome or hypothyroidism.
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