Isla Bennett
Weak nails are often caused by external factors such as nail-care habits, the products used, and environmental exposures. Constant use of nail polish, for example, can weaken nails, as can frequent hand washing and the use of gel or acrylic manicures. To help weak nails grow, it is recommended to frequently moisturize nails and the surrounding skin with hand cream or cuticle oil, to wear gloves when washing dishes, and to eat a nutrient-dense and varied diet. Prescription topical agents and over-the-counter nail hardeners can also help strengthen nails.
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What You'll Learn
Diet and hydration: Eat protein, calcium and biotin. Drink water
Diet and hydration play a crucial role in maintaining nail health and promoting nail growth. Here are some dietary guidelines to help support the growth of weak nails:
Protein
Protein is essential for nail growth as nails are primarily composed of a protein called keratin. Include a variety of protein-rich foods in your diet, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Animal proteins are particularly rich in zinc, which is necessary for the healthy growth of nails. However, certain plant foods, like legumes, nuts, and seeds, also provide zinc.
Calcium
Calcium is another vital mineral for nail health. Calcium-deprived nails tend to grow very slowly, and a severe deficiency can lead to hypocalcemia, causing problems with your nerves and muscles. Include calcium-rich foods in your diet, such as dairy products, dark leafy greens (e.g., spinach), tofu, beans, and calcium-fortified foods like certain cereals and juices.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a B-complex vitamin that promotes healthy cell growth and aids in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids, which are essential for nail growth. While biotin deficiency is rare, consuming biotin-rich foods or supplements can help strengthen brittle nails and improve their growth. Biotin-rich foods include organ meats (like liver), egg yolks, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and cauliflower.
Hydration
Drinking enough water is crucial for nail health. Without adequate moisture, nails can become brittle, break, and peel easily. Ensure you stay properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Additionally, limit exposure to water when doing dishes or bathing to prevent excessive moisture absorption, which can also weaken nails.
Remember, a nutrient-rich and varied diet is likely the best way to achieve strong and healthy nails. While supplements can help, always consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements to ensure they are safe for you.
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Moisturise: Use hand cream, cuticle oil or ointments
Keeping your nails and the surrounding skin moisturised is key to maintaining their strength and preventing further damage. Philadelphia-based dermatologist Rina Allawh recommends moisturising your nails with hand cream as frequently as possible, especially after washing your hands. This will prevent the further impairment of the integrity of the nails.
Ointments, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment, can also be used to moisturise weak nails. Ointments nourish the nails and protect them from future damage by locking in moisture.
Cuticle oil is another effective way to repair, nourish, and moisturise weak nails. North Carolina-based board-certified dermatologist Sheel Desai Solomon recommends applying cuticle oil or cream at least once per day, massaging it into the area at the base of the nail. Look for products that contain humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which attract moisture. Occlusive ingredients like shea butter or petrolatum can also help to lock in hydration.
It is important to note that while nail polish can help strengthen nails, constant use of polish, even non-toxic polish, can weaken them. After wearing nail polish for a week or so, remove it with an acetone-free polish remover and then let your nails be polish-free for a week. This will allow your nails to breathe and strengthen.
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Nail polish: Avoid constant use. Go polish-free between manicures
While nail polish can make your nails look nice, it's important to give your nails a break from polish to allow them to grow and strengthen. Constant use of nail polish, even nontoxic polish, can weaken the nail. Therefore, it is recommended to go polish-free between manicures.
After wearing nail polish for about a week, remove it with an acetone-free nail polish remover. Then, let your nails be polish-free for at least a week. If your nails have become especially fragile, you may want to give them a month off from nail polish. During this time, you can apply a keratin treatment, such as CND RescueRXx, to help nourish your nails.
When removing nail polish, avoid peeling it off as this can take off a thin top layer of your nails, leaving them weak. Instead, always use a nail polish remover to take off the nail polish. After removing your nail polish, it is important to moisturize your nails and the surrounding skin with hand cream or cuticle oil to prevent further nail impairment and protect them from future damage.
To maintain nail health, it is also important to stay hydrated by drinking enough water. This helps your nails retain moisture and stay strong. Additionally, make sure to wear gloves when washing dishes to avoid excessive water exposure, which can cause your nails to become weak and brittle.
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Gloves: Protect nails from water damage
Water is essential for nail health, but too much water can cause your nails to become weak and brittle. To protect your nails from water damage, it is recommended to wear gloves when doing tasks that involve water, such as washing dishes or cleaning. Try to keep your hands out of the water while taking a bath or washing your face. While it is impossible to avoid submerging your hands in water completely, being mindful of your exposure can help reduce the negative impact on your nail health.
Wearing gloves when handling water-based tasks can create a protective barrier between your nails and the water, preventing excessive moisture absorption. This is especially important if you frequently wash your hands or work with water, as prolonged exposure to water can weaken your nails over time. Gloves act as a shield, keeping your nails dry and strong.
Additionally, you can also apply a moisturising hand cream or cuticle oil after removing your gloves to lock in the necessary moisture and nourish your nails. Ointments, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment, can be particularly effective in this regard. Keeping your nails and the surrounding skin well-hydrated helps to maintain their strength and integrity, reducing the chances of breakage and splitting.
By combining glove usage with a consistent moisturising routine, you can effectively protect your nails from water damage and promote their growth and health. It is also beneficial to allow your nails to breathe and recover by taking breaks from nail polish and giving them time to strengthen naturally.
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Products: Choose non-acetone removers and keratin treatments
Constant use of nail polish can weaken your nails, so it is recommended to let your nails breathe by going polish-free for a week or even a month after wearing nail polish for some time. When removing nail polish, opt for non-acetone removers, as acetone can be very drying to the nail. Non-acetone removers, such as soy-based nail polish removers, are non-drying and offer more hydration. Examples of soy-based nail polish removers include those from brands like Cote, Tenoverten, and Priti. Karma Organic is another non-acetone nail polish remover that is suitable for those allergic or sensitive to acetone.
In addition to non-acetone removers, applying a keratin treatment between manicures can help nourish your nails. One such option is the CND RescueRXx Daily Keratin Treatment, which contains keratin protein and moisturizing jojoba oil to repair damaged nails. With daily use, you can expect to see a reduction in peeling and other damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Weak nails can be a result of external factors such as the products you use, or environmental exposures. To help weak nails grow, you should ensure you are eating a nutrient-dense and varied diet, drinking enough water, and taking a multivitamin with minerals.
To help weak nails grow, you should avoid using nail polish constantly as this can weaken the nail. You should also avoid filing your nails in a back-and-forth motion, and instead file in one direction. To protect your nails, you can use a base coat and top coat, which will provide an additional protective barrier.
To help weak nails grow, you should avoid using your nails as tools, as this can lead to breakage and chipping. You should also wear gloves when washing dishes to avoid prolonged exposure to water, which can cause nails to become weak and brittle.
