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You may be asking how to strengthen your nails after removing gels or acrylics. I can totally sympathize; when I took off my favorite gel tips, I was astonished to see how brittle and thin my nails had become.
Don’t worry if you find yourself in the same situation. Your nail situation is not hopeless. Actually, I’m happy to announce that after making some adjustments to my routine and giving more attention to the health of my nails, they are almost back to their former splendor. It only needs time and care. Additionally, almost everyone is capable of doing it.
Dana Stern, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in nail health, tells Glamour, “Just like we deep-condition and treat dry, overprocessed hair, it is crucial to take care of the nail and cuticle.” Keep your nails short and natural when they need a rest from embellishments. Nails that are cut shorter are less likely to split or catch on something.
What, therefore, is the root cause of brittle nails? Dr. Stern classifies nail damage into two broad types. According to her explanation, “the first category are the factors that are difficult to control and include genetics, aging, and certain medical conditions,” making part of this harm inescapable. The second group is comprised of environmental elements, which are more common and can be altered to have a substantial effect on the situation.
Want to know how to treat your nail with some TLC? Find out what to avoid and what to incorporate into your routine to strengthen your nails and keep them in good condition. Please visit Maby blog to update the latest nail news.
Gloves should be used when dealing with water
Getting a trim when your hair is damaged is a lot like when your nails are damaged; both are necessary maintenance. Similar environmental conditions, such as too much water, especially when the water is hot, have a negative effect on both hair and nails.
Nails, more so than the skin, “are extremely absorptive of water!” As Dr. Stern puts it. The onycholysis (nail cells) are put under extreme stress when the nail soaks up water, which can cause peeling, breaking, and a general deterioration of the nail. She suggests using gloves whenever one is around water or undertaking physical work.
Put your nails in order by using glass nail files
Common cardboard emery boards are frequently used as nail files since they are inexpensive and get the job done quickly, but they are not the healthiest option.
“Emery boards have microscopic openings and split at the tip of the nail that leads to peeling, onychoschizia, and cracks,” adds Dr. Stern. In contrast to cardboard emery boards, which can leave minute holes and splits, glass or crystal nail files leave just a smooth edge on the nail.
Choose a polish remover without acetone
While it’s true that giving your nails some air is crucial to their health, the method you choose to remove lacquer also makes a difference.
Dr. Stern tells Glamour that “in terms of chemical exposures, the polish remover is a big one: Acetone tends to be especially drying to the nail and can make brittle nails worse,” adding that it is best to look for conditioning formulas that contain ingredients like soy and/or have added moisturizing benefits from oils.
Always look for formaldehyde-free nail polish
Unfortunately, many commonly available nail-strengthening products don’t live up to their claims. “Many so-called nail strengtheners still contain formaldehyde or formalin, ingredients that are very damaging to the nail,” Dr. Stern explains. The nail will become harder at first after being exposed to formaldehyde, but it will paradoxically become brittle and more prone to lifting or detaching from the nail bed over time. She also notes that the skin around the nail folds can become exceedingly inflamed, swollen, and painful if exposed to formaldehyde.
Use sunflower oil as a moisturizer
Dr. Stern advises patients to regularly moisturize their cuticles and nails but to only use treatments with chemicals that have been shown to be effective in scientific studies. To prevent your nails from becoming brittle, she recommends using a moisturizer on your cuticles and nails that is high in phospholipids. “Massage [the product] into your cuticles several times daily, and if doing a lot of handwashing, you may do so after each wash.” In addition, please refer to: Customers Have Not Experienced Split Nails Since Using This ‘Miracle’ $9 Cuticle Oil.
Use glycolic acid to treat your nails
Finally, try to track down glycolic acid-based nail treatments. Dr. Stern tells Glamour that glycolic acid is an element that rejuvenates fragile nails. In this research, the alpha-hydroxy acid was applied to the nail plate in a regulated manner, resulting in keratolysis. Nail keratin disulfide links are broken down by glycolic acid, leading to improved nail hydration. Furthermore, glycolic acid is a humectant, meaning it aids in the retention of moisture in the nails.
Glycolic acid is also helpful since it acts like a little “peel” on each nail. “Just like we do peels for the skin to remove the superficial layers of dead cells, this strategy is also applicable to the nail,” explains Stern. “By removing the damaged layers of superficial onycholysis, you can enable absorption of the ingredients that help to hydrate and fortified the nail.” According to Stern, a “peel for the nails” can be performed in a dermatologist’s office or at home by using The Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System once a week.