Strengthen Your Weak, Brittle Nails

Need some nail rehab? Find out what could be making them split and break, and follow these expert-approved tips and product suggestions to get them back into tip-top shape.

A quick science lesson: Nails are arbsorbent by nature and are composed of very small cells called onychocytes, which are mainly made up of keratin. This is the reason why when you take a long bath, your nails get super soft and bendy.

It’s important to note that if your nails become extremely brittle out of nowhere, it could be a sign of a health issue, such as anemia, or a thyroid condition. If that’s the case, you should see your doctor. In addition, those who suffer from an eating disorder or are undergoing chemotherapy may have chronic brittleness due to severe protein deficiency. If you don’t have any of these health woes but have had weak nails for as long as you can remember, it could be genetic. Here are the top three culprits to weak nails: Water exposure (due to the nails’ absorbent nature), seasonal weather changes and chemical exposure. Be gentle while removing stubborn nail polish and avoid aggressive rubbing.

• Steer clear of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. They’re very drying. Instead, wash hands with moisturizing soap.
• Keep your nails short to minimize surface area where water and chemicals can be absorbed.
• Use cuticle oil or cream to avoid dry skin and hangnails. Cuticles help prevent water from getting into your nails, which can create an environment for bacteria to grow. So don’t cut away at them – keep them moisturized and simply push them back to avoid infection and let them do their job.
• Take a nail-polish holiday. If you’ve tried other precautions and still are suffering from brittle nails, take a break from polish to give your nails some time to get back into shape. Consider  three-month break to replenish its health. (Adapted by Jessy Pearl)

Sources: YouBeauty.com, doctoroz.com

(Image credit: doctoroz.com)