5 Simple Ways to Strengthen Nails
It is everyone’s dream to have healthy, thick, and appealing nails. On the other hand, Weak or brittle nails can be very frustrating. In such cases, a healthy diet and effective care is imperative to maintain or build beautiful and healthy nails.
Food rich in calcium and natural oils will help in the growth of healthy nails. If your nails are already damaged, you can try the below home remedies. The remedies help in maintaining, protecting, and treating the damaged nails.
Table of Contents
Did You Know!
| You can strengthen and maintain healthy nails using simple home remedies. |
How to Strengthen Nails in 5 Simple Ways
- Soft Nail File
- Swap Out Acetone
- Avoid Cutting the Cuticle
- Increase Vitamin B9
- Keep Hydrated
1. Soft Nail File
Why Use
Unlike other files that make the nails split and peel, a soft nail file does not damage the nails while filing. Be careful while filing to avoid causing further damage to the nails.
How to Use
Use soft nail file to file the nails by moving it in one direction. Using a sawing motion (back and forth) could damage the nails. Use the following steps for each nail that you want to file.
- File the left side of the nail while moving to the center. You should move to the tip using an angle of 45-degrees.
- File the right side of the nail while moving to the center. You should also use an angle of 45-degrees.
- Finish the filing at the top of the nail.
How Often to Do
How often you should file your nails depends on the rate at which they grow. An average person’s nails grow about 2-3 millimeters in a month. If you fall under the average group, you should file your nails once a week. Those with faster-growing nails must file them twice a week.
2. Swap Out Acetone
Why Use
Acetone is a product used to dissolve nail polish faster. Most nail polish removers contain acetone which can be harsh on weak nails. Acetone(1) dries out the nails, thus making them peel, split and get the unsightly white marks. If you want your nails to be healthy and robust, get yourself a polish remover that doesn’t contain acetone.
How to Use
Get rid of your current nail polish remover and switch to a non-acetone one. Although they remove nail polish slowly, they are gentler on the nails.
How Often to Do
All you need to do is choose an excellent non-acetone remover whenever you decide to remove your nail polish.
3. Avoid Cutting the Cuticle
Why Use
It is essential to take care of the cuticles. Cuticles play a crucial role in protecting the nails from getting infected. Cutting the cuticles may make the nails look appealing, but the skin will start peeling off three days later. Cutting cuticles(2) can cause the nails to get white lines, ridges, or even become infections.
How to Use
After filing the nails, don’t cut the cuticles. If you don’t like their appearance, you can gently push them back to the cuticle edge. You should also snip the hand nails carefully. You should keep your cuticles healthy with nourishing oils.
How Often to Do
It is advisable not to cut the cuticle at all.
4. Increase Vitamin B9
Why Use
Vitamin B9, also known as folate. helps in the formation of red blood cells and the development of new cells. If you don’t have enough Vitamin B9 in your body, the pigmentation of the nails can change. It also make the nails will also look rigid and brittle.
How to Use
Citrus fruits, peas, beans, nuts, lentils, avocado, and dark green vegetables like spinach are a good source of vitamin B9. You can also get vitamin B9 in the form of a supplement.
How Often to Use
To get faster results, you should incorporate food rich in vitamin B9 in your daily meals. If you opt to take the supplements, it is essential to consult your doctor first. Follow the prescribed amount if the doctor has allowed you to use the supplements.
5. Keep Hydrated
Why Use
We all know water is essential for our overall health, and the same is true for our nails. Without adequate water, our nails get brittle and peel quite easily. Therefore, to retain the moisture in your nails, drinking water and keeping yourself hydrated is very important. Brittle nails are also a sign of dehydration.
How to Use
It is self-explanatory. You can keep yourself hydrated by drinking water, fresh juices, soups and liquids in any form. However, avoid carbonated drinks as they contain preservatives which can have a further negative effect on your body.
How Often to Use
Drinking 8 glasses of water every day is essential. You can easily avoid flaky cuticles and promote nail growth if you keep yourself hydrated.
| You can make your nails healthy by using Vitamin E oil as a moisturizer |
Having strong and healthy nails is a sign of good health. Changing your lifestyle and habits can help strengthen your nails. Adopting a healthy diet makes nails to grow healthier. Also, keeping the nails moisturized can prevent them from drying out and developing cracks. If none of the above remedies seem to help, visit a doctor for further examination.
Do not overdo nails
Nail polish gives a healthy look and glows to the nails. However, when used too much, the chemicals in the nail polish can make the nails weak and brittle, which can become easily infectiosus.
On the other hand, long nails are more prone to break, infect the skin, or become a storehouse for infections. Keeping the nails short keeps them stronger and cleaner.
Excess use of hand sanitizer
Excess use of hand sanitizer weakens the nails. Hand sanitizer contains alcohol which dehydrates and makes the nails weak. Cutting down the use of hand sanitizer or exposing it less to the nails is highly recommended.
Also Read: Say Goodbye to Ingrown Toenails with These Natural Treatments!
FAQs
1. Will Artificial Nails Damage My Natural Nails?
Artificial nails are not likely to damage the existing natural nails but can cause problems such as infections.
2. Can I Leave on Nail Polish on for a Long Time?
It is not recommended to leave nail polish for too long as the pigmentation can soak in the top layer, thus making your nails look discolored.
3. What Is Making My Nails to Peel Off?
Nails can peel off because of trauma to the nails. If you regularly pick off and press your nails, they can cause your nails to peel.
4. Why are my nails so thin?
Thin nails can be a result of exposure to chemicals or household fluids that are toxic to humans. In general, detergents, cleaning chemicals, nail polish removers, or nail treatments are the responsible components.
5. Can I use a nail strengthener as a topcoat?
Nail strengtheners can be used as a topcoat. Most of these nail strengtheners contain ingredients like calcium, which are beneficial to the nails.
