The best-looking nails are strong, healthy nails. But from nail-biting to ripping off leftover polish, there are many things that can damage nail beds. Help combat the effects of bad habits by learning how to take care of nails.
Good fingernail care starts here. Read on to find out everything you need to know about what helps damaged nails grow, plus ten tips for healthy strong nails.
How To Get Strong Nails
Nails are made of keratin, a protein also found in your hair and skin. While this protein serves to protect nails from damage, keratin itself can also become damaged. So the key to strong, healthy nails lies in daily nail care that will help protect the keratin.
If your nails are susceptible to breaking and damage, it could be any of the following factors:
- Age
- Iron deficiency
- Magnesium deficiency
- Vitamin B deficiency
- Over-use of nail polish or acrylics
- Constant wetting and drying of nails
- Overexposure to moisture or chemicals
Top 10 Tips for Nail Care
An important element to healthy nails is consistent, daily nail care. Keep your nails looking beautiful by practicing these top ten nail care tips every day.
- Moisturize Your Nails
Just like skin, your nails need moisture in order to remain healthy. You can moisturize with petroleum jelly, vitamin E, or cuticle cream. Rub these into your nails and cuticles for the best results. - Leave Your Cuticles Alone
Apart from moisturizing them, your cuticles should be left alone. They serve to protect your nail from bacteria so it’s best to avoid cutting them. If you do need to trim a cuticle, use a cuticle-removing formula instead of cutting them. - Be Gentle
When filing your nails or removing nail polish, you want to be gentle. Ripping off polish can strip your nails of layers, causing them to weaken. And when you file your nails, make sure to do so in one direction. A harsh back and forth motion could cause further damage to your nails. - Maintain Hygiene
Healthy nails are clean nails. For good nail hygiene, keep the underside of your nails clean by scrubbing them with soap and water. This helps get rid of any grime and bacteria that could damage your nails. Experts also recommend keeping your nails short. - Keep Your Fingernails Dry and Clean
While it’s important to keep moisture in your nails, constantly exposing them to water could cause damage. Over-exposure to water weakens them, making them more susceptible to breakage. - Avoid Harsh Polishes
If you really want healthy nails, you might have to lay off the nail polish for a while. A lot of nail polishes strip nails of their thin protective layer, which could result in a weaker nail. - Use High-Quality Remover
Although acetone can dry out nails, it’s best to use 100% acetone instead of other standard nail polish removers. Acetone is the easiest and fastest way to wipe away old nail polish. No need for harsh scrubbing or many applications—a paper towel with some acetone should do the trick for fast removal. Use acetone from the beauty department, not the hardware or cleaning department. - Try Natural Nail Strengthening Treatments
One of the best vitamins for nails is vitamin E. Studies have shown that it helps promote nail health by preventing yellow, cracked, and peeling nails. Other things to apply to your nails to help improve them are coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, jojoba oil, almond oil, or olive oil. - Eat Well
Plenty of foods contain nail-supporting vitamins and minerals, but perhaps some of the most important foods to eat are dark green leafy vegetables, quinoa, nuts, and black beans. This is because they contain magnesium, which helps with protein synthesis and the formation of new nails. - Don’t Use Your Nails as Tools
Don’t be tempted to use your nails to scratch or lift something, like a sticker or the tab of a soda can. It can put pressure on the weakest part of your nails and lead to breakage. - Regular Visits to a Nail Technician
The best thing for your nails is treatment by a knowledgeable, highly-trained technician.
