Drinking enough water is essential for health, and nail health is no exception. Without adequate moisture, nails can become brittle and break and peel easily. Drinking enough water helps them to retain moisture and stay strong. Many nail polishes or treatments contain harsh chemicals that can actually weaken nails.
Nail polish remover that contains acetone should be avoided since it can damage nails. While these are touted as an easy alternative for those who have trouble growing their nails, frequent use can cause your nails to peel , which weakens them.
Exposure to the ultraviolet light required for gel polish has been identified as a risk factor for cancer, although exposure is far lower than what you get with UV tanning equipment. Exposure also ages the skin that supports a healthy nail. Along those same lines, although nail polish looks nice, your nails need to breathe. Constant use of polish, even nontoxic polish, can weaken the nail. After wearing nail polish for a week or so, remove the nail polish with an acetone-free polish remover, and then let your nails be polish-free for a week.
Long nails are more likely to break and be caught on things, while shorter nails are less likely to be chipped, cracked, or split, helping to keep them strong. Instead, use the pads of your fingers to open up a soda can or use a paper clip to reach something in a small space. Using your nails as tools can lead to breakage and chipping, which can in turn weaken the nail. You can do this every time you wash your hands. Constantly applying hand sanitizer can be disastrous for the nails.
This is because the sanitizer dries out nails and hands , leading to brittle nails. For example, if you have traditional dish soap in your kitchen, perhaps wear gloves while cleaning to avoid drying out the nails. And even some natural-leaning dish soaps can have drying ingredients, like vinegar or lemon. Like most aspects of skin care and life in general , prevention is key. While you can seek tips and tricks to restore nail health after noticing brittleness or frays, the best thing to do is combat those issues before they even make their appearance.
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August 27, Apply cuticle oil daily. Take a collagen or biotin supplement. Push your cuticles back. Commit to monthly maintenance. Invest in clean polish products. Stick to a natural nail. You might rip live tissue along with the hangnail, causing damage and raising your risk of infection. Keep your fingernails neatly trimmed and round the tips in a gentle curve.
If you want a manicure, choose a salon that displays a current state license. Work only with a technician licensed by a state board. That can lead to a nail infection. Also, make sure your nail technician properly sterilizes all tools used during your manicure to prevent the spread of infection. He or she may recommend the nutritional supplement biotin. Some research suggests it might help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails. Brittle nails occur for a variety of reasons. They may be a normal sign of aging or the result of polishing your nails too frequently.
When the weather is cold, brittle nails may result from dryness. Weak nails also can be signs of a health issue, such as hypothyroidism or anemia. Before you assume the worst or head to the doctor, learn how to strengthen brittle nails and the reasons why you might be experiencing them.
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