Isla Bennett
Damaged nails can be unsightly and uncomfortable, but there are several ways to improve their appearance and health. Firstly, it's important to identify the cause of the damage, which could be anything from daily activities like handwashing to nutritional deficiencies. Once the cause is identified, you can take steps to treat and prevent further damage. This may include taking a break from nail polish, using a nail hardener or strengthener, and regularly moisturizing with oil or serum. In addition, maintaining healthy habits such as wearing gloves when using cleaning products and avoiding biting or picking at your nails can help keep your nails looking and feeling their best.
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What You'll Learn
Use nail hardeners and strengthening products
If you're looking to repair damaged nails, one effective method is to use nail hardeners and strengthening products. These products can help protect your nails from daily wear and tear and promote nail growth. It is recommended to take a break from nail polish and use a nail hardener to keep your nails looking shiny and healthy.
There are several nail-strengthening products available that can help repair broken bonds from inside the nail, making your nails stronger and healthier. For example, OPI's Repair Mode nail strengthener uses technology to repair broken keratin bonds in the nail plate in just six days. Similarly, Essie's 'Hard to Resist' nail strengthener repairs fractured bonds in natural nails and accelerates healing, with visible results in just three days.
If you're looking for a professional treatment, the IBX Nail Strengthening Repair Treatment is a good option. This treatment penetrates and works from within, helping to fuse any damaged keratin. It can be carried out weekly if needed and makes nails feel stronger after the first application.
In addition to using nail hardeners, it is also important to take care of your cuticles. Applying a daily cuticle serum or oil can help restore moisture and promote nail strength. This is especially important if you've been wearing acrylics, gels, or dip powders, as these can dry out your nails and make them more susceptible to breakage.
While waiting for your nails to heal, it is recommended to keep them short and rounded to prevent further breakage. You can also try using a nail-strengthening top coat to help protect your nails and promote growth. With the right products and care, you can help your nails become stronger and healthier.
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Moisturise nails with oil or serum
Oils and serums are an effective way to moisturise nails and prevent them from drying out. Oils such as jojoba, argan, olive, avocado, flaxseed, and coconut can be used to moisturise nails and cuticles. Coconut oil, in particular, is recommended by Rachel Apfel Glass, the owner of GLOSSLAB salon, who notes that it helps to keep her mani lasting longer. Glass also recommends Olive & June's Cuticle Serum, which is dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, and includes hydrating ingredients like avocado oil, jojoba oil, and cactus flower extract.
While oils themselves cannot add moisture to the nails, they play a crucial role in preventing dryness by creating a protective barrier. This barrier slows down or blocks moisture evaporation, allowing moisture to build up underneath, thus increasing the water content of the nails. Oils also provide additional benefits, such as increasing the flexibility of the nails, softening the nail surface, and creating lubrication between the layers, allowing them to slide across each other.
When choosing an oil, it is important to consider its ability to penetrate and create a barrier. Some oils, like mineral oil and silicone oils, are occlusive agents, which means they sit on top of the skin or nail, creating a barrier that blocks moisture evaporation. On the other hand, some oils can penetrate the upper layers of the skin, allowing moisture to build up underneath the barrier.
In addition to oils, serums can also be used to moisturise nails. Serums such as Olive & June's Hand Serum, which contains hyaluronic acid, cactus flower, and fruit extracts, can be applied to the hands and nails to provide lightweight and quick-absorbing hydration. Another option is Typology's Hand and Nail Serum, which contains hyaluronic acid (HA) and keratin, or Thrive Causemetics' Defying Gravity Cream, which pairs HA with mango seed butter and sweet almond oil.
For those who prefer a more intensive treatment, hot oil treatments can be done once a week specifically for the nail beds. Oils such as olive, avocado, or flaxseed oil can be used for this purpose. It is recommended to oil the nails regularly, and using oils that come in larger bottles can help ensure more frequent application without worrying about running out too quickly.
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Take a break from gel and acrylics
Taking a break from gel and acrylic nails is an important step in improving the health of your nails. Gels and acrylics can seriously dry out your nails, making them brittle and susceptible to breakage. The longer the break, the better the health of your nails will be. During this time, it is important to care for your nails and cuticles.
Firstly, it is recommended to keep your nails short and rounded to prevent further breakage while they heal. You can file them regularly to fix snags and stimulate blood flow. It is also beneficial to use a fortifying treatment, such as a nail strengthener, to repair fractured bonds and accelerate healing. These treatments create a protective barrier against daily wear and tear, and some are infused with calcium and camelia extract to create stronger nails.
To promote hydration and restore moisture, it is essential to use cuticle oil or serum daily. Cuticle care is crucial, as the cuticle and nail are both areas of thin skin that require layer upon layer of hydration. By keeping the cuticles fully hydrated, you can maintain the appearance of freshly manicured nails even during the healing process.
Additionally, it is advisable to moisturize your nails regularly, especially if you wash your hands frequently. You can also protect your nails by wearing gloves when using cleaning products to prevent irritation. It is important to be mindful of any potential nutritional deficiencies, as weak and flaky nails can sometimes indicate a lack of certain vitamins or minerals. Ensuring adequate intake of vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as staying hydrated, can contribute to stronger nails and healthier cuticles.
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File nails regularly to fix snags
Filing nails is an important step in nail care as it helps keep nails strong and healthy. It is also a great way to fix snags and chips in the nail, preventing further breakage. When filing nails to fix snags, it is important to be gentle and file in one direction, as a back-and-forth motion can weaken the nail and cause it to become more jagged.
The first step is to trim the nails, especially if they are long. This helps to get rid of any extra length before filing. It is recommended to use fingernail clippers for this step.
Next, you will need a nail file. Classic emery boards are a good option, but glass files are often recommended as they are gentler on the nails and easier to clean. It is important to clean your nail file to prevent the spread of bacteria. When filing, gently file the snag into a rounded curve to prevent further breakage. For longer nails, the filing process may differ slightly. The nail can be thought of in two sections, the right and the left, and the filing can be done accordingly to achieve the desired shape.
After filing, it is important to moisturize the nails. Dry nails are more susceptible to splitting, so using a nail oil or cuticle oil can help repair frayed nails and prevent future breakage. This is an important step, especially if you have dry and brittle nails.
In addition to filing and moisturizing, there are other ways to care for damaged nails. Wearing gloves when using cleaning products or when your hands are in water can help protect your nails from damaging chemicals and excess water exposure. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as drinking plenty of water, can also contribute to stronger and healthier nails.
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Wear gloves when cleaning to prevent irritation
Wearing gloves while cleaning is an effective way to prevent irritation and improve the health of your nails. It is important to note that daily activities such as hand washing, bathing, and cleaning can contribute to nail damage. Therefore, wearing gloves can act as a protective barrier between your nails and the chemicals and bacteria present in cleaning products and surfaces.
Nitrile gloves, in particular, are recommended for household cleaning as they protect your skin against pathogens, salmonella, and E. coli bacteria. They also prevent chemical burns, skin irritation, and bacterial infections. It is essential to change gloves frequently, wash your hands with soap, and ensure your hands are completely dry before putting on a new pair. Additionally, consider using rubber disposable gloves made of nitrile or latex, as they are reliable for cleaning and sanitizing.
If you struggle with keeping your nails dry while wearing gloves, you can try using dishwashing gloves when doing the dishes or opting for thicker nitrile gloves from a hardware store. Another user recommends applying a jojoba mix, Vaseline, or hand lotion before donning nitrile gloves and then putting on regular non-latex gloves on top. This method may take some getting used to, but it can help protect your nails while keeping them moisturized.
It is worth noting that wearing gloves for extended periods can create a warm and humid environment, potentially leading to the growth of natural skin yeast. Therefore, changing your gloves frequently and maintaining good hand hygiene practices are crucial to preventing nail damage and maintaining overall hand and nail health.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to take a break from nail polish for 2 to 3 weeks to help nails heal and become stronger. You can still use a nail-strengthening top coat to keep them looking shiny and healthy.
You can use a nail strengthener like OPI’s Repair Mode, CND Rescue RXx Daily Keratin Treatment, or Protein Formula for Nails Formula 4 – Strengthen. For daily cuticle care, you can use a cuticle serum or oil to restore moisture and promote nail strength.
To prevent further damage, avoid over-filing your nails and opt for a gentler removal process when removing nail polish. Wear gloves when using cleaning products and avoid biting or picking your nails.
