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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. You can fix your nails if you really want to. 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. All that’s needed is time and care. Yes, it really is that simple.
In the same way that we deep condition and treat dry, overprocessed hair, it is vital to take care of the nail and cuticle, says Dana Stern, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in nail health, in an interview with Glamour. Keep your nails short and natural when they need a rest from embellishments. The risk of nail breakage and snagging is reduced with shorter nails.
But what really brings about brittle nails? Dr. Stern distinguishes between two types of nail damage. Some of this damage is unavoidable because “the first category are the factors that are difficult to control and include genetics, aging, and certain medical conditions,” she notes. However, environmental factors make up the second and more common group, so changing them can have a big influence once the condition is under control. Proper nail care with Maby blog.
Want to know how to treat your nail with some TLC?
Continue reading to learn about the best ways to strengthen your nails, as well as the things you should avoid doing and the routines you should implement, respectively.
Gloves should be used when dealing with water
If you compare your nails to your hair, getting a trim when your hair is damaged is like getting a much-needed trim on your nails. Too much water, especially hot water, is bad for hair and nails, just as too much heat is bad for both.
Nails, more so than the skin, “are extremely absorptive of water!” Apparently, as Dr. Stern points out. Water absorption causes onycholysis (nail cells) to work extremely hard, which can weaken and peel the nail. She suggests using protective gear each time you’re handling water or dirt.
Make use of 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. Glass or crystal nail files are my go-to over cardboard emery boards because they leave a smooth finish without tearing or damaging the nail bed. In addition, please refer to: Why the Best Glass and Crystal Nail Files Are Better.
Instead of acetone, choose a polish remover
The method you use to remove nail polish is just as important as letting your nails breathe.
“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,” Dr. Stern tells Glamour. He advises looking 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. She recommends looking for a cuticle and nail moisturizer with phospholipids, which have been demonstrated to promote nail flexibility and reduce brittleness. “Massage [the product] into your cuticles several times daily, and if doing a lot of handwashing, you may do so after each wash.”
Sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil both contain phospholipids. Dr. Stern claims that the phospholipid content of both oils is exceptionally high.
Glycolic acid can help with nail care
Last, but not least, look for nail treatments that include glycolic acid. Dr. Stern told Glamour, “Glycolic acid has been shown to be an ingredient that rejuvenates brittle nails.” In this research, the alpha-hydroxy acid was applied to the nail plate in a regulated manner, resulting in keratolysis. Nail keratin disulfide bonds are broken down by glycolic acid, which results in better nail moisture retention. 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. This is because “by removing the damaged layers of superficial onychocytes, you can enable the absorption of ingredients that help to hydrate and fortify 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.