Weak, brittle nails can be frustrating––and even painful! We’d all love to have strong, healthy nails, but everyday activities can cause dryness and breakage. Fortunately, there are 5 easy changes you can make to support healthier, stronger nails.
1. Moisturize
Keeping your hands and cuticles moisturized is essential for maintaining healthy nails. It’s helpful to keep hand lotion readily available and apply it after washing your hands. It’s especially critical to apply lotion or cuticle oil after using drying products like acetone or hand sanitizer that contains alcohol. These products cause brittleness and breakage, but moisturizing afterwards and on a consistent basis can repair damage and nourish your nails.
2. Give your nails a break
A perfect manicure looks great on the outside, but it can cause damage to the nail underneath. Nail polish can weaken your nails by not allowing them to breath, so taking a break for even a week can be beneficial. Avoiding acrylic nails is best because the process removes layers from your nails, weakening them in the process. When you do want polished nails, make sure to apply a base coat, which can help strengthen the underlying nail.
3. Hydrate
Along the same lines, staying hydrated is important for hair, skin, and nail health. Drinking enough water ensures that your nails get the moisture they need to stay healthy through daily activities. Dehydration, on the other hand, causes dryness and breakage, especially when coupled with drying products or frequent manicures.
4. But, avoid too much water exposure
While drinking water is essential for nail health, too much exposure to water can weaken your nails. We’re not talking about washing your hands here––we’re talking about excessive soaking in a bath, pool, or while washing dishes. It can help, for example, to wash dishes while wearing gloves to minimize unnecessary soaking.
5. Supplement
Taking a daily supplement with biotin and keratin is a great way to boost your nail strength. These two important vitamins are essential for hair and nail growth, and are effective at repairing damage and maintaining healthy nails. Our Nourage formula includes biotin, keratin, and other essential nutrients to boost your nail strength and health.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-strengthen-nails#1
https://www.glamour.com/story/best-nail-tips-how-to-grow-out-your-nails