10 Things to get stronger, healthier nails ASAP
Whether you’re the type who’s always on top of the latest nail trends or prefer a short, simple mani, strong, healthy nails are always a good thing. But actually getting them to the point you desire before they break o in uneven pieces is easier said than done. Daily wear and tear leads to hangnails and snags, and polish and gel changes can weaken your tips over time. So how to actually grow nails out and keep them long? We chatted with the pros to gather the best advice for stronger, healthier nails.
1 MAINTAIN AND HYDRATE YOUR CUTICLES
Remember this: healthy cuticles equal healthy nails. “The main habit to break is picking, trimming or manipulating your cuticles in any way,” says dermatologist and nail specialist Dr Chris Adigun. Cuticles act as both a seal and a barrier, keeping in hydration and keeping out possible infections. “Your cuticles are the last line of defense, acting as a shield to block the spread of bacteria from moving in on your nail,” celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann explains. “Cutting them can potentially irritate or infect your nail.” To avoid both, gently push them back instead of trimming.
2 SKIP THE NAIL HARDENERS
While it may seem like a good idea to reach for a hardener that promises stronger nails, such products can actually do more damage than good. “They often cause nails to become so hard that they crack and break more easily,” Dr Adigun says.
3 MOISTURISE MORE
Dry hands are a major problem when it comes to maintaining nail strength and health. “Women don’t think that their nails and hands need to be treated like the skin on their face,” Deborah says. “It wouldn’t occur to most of us to wash our face and not apply a moisturiser, but we wash our hands over and over and don’t apply lotion.” Dr Adigun says greasier products such as Vaseline and Aquaphor are most eective because they seal in the moisture, but if you’re not into the oily feeling while you’re tapping on a keyboard, apply them only at night and use lighter creams with dimethicone or ceramides during the day. Also: use a cuticle moisturiser every day. Ditto if you’ve exposed your nails to drying solvents like acetone.
4 FILE STRATEGICALLY
Keeping nails at a length that’s functional for your day-to-day life helps prevent breakage and tearing. When you file your nails, make sure you’re doing it correctly. “Shaping your nails may seem like a mindless activity, but it can actually weaken and break your nails if executed improperly,” Deborah explains. Using a fine-grit file, start on the outside edge and pull toward the centre, then continue to gently swipe across your nail in that one direction. Don’t saw the file back and forth – this creates too much friction and gives you frayed edges that catch and snag easily. Deborah also recommends holding the file tilted underneath the tip. “This prevents overfiling by allowing you to see exactly what you’re doing,” she says.
5 ALWAYS WEAR A BASE COAT
Even if you don’t have time for a full manicure, applying a hydrating and strengthening base coat can prevent the nails from peeling and becoming weak.
6 OR TRY A RIDGE FILLER
If your nails are looking a little rough around the edges, ridge filler can give them new life. Paint a coat onto each nail for a matte, neutral finish that makes nails look smooth and clean.
7 MAINTAIN A BALANCED DIET
Just as with your skin and hair, what you eat can also aect your nails. Dr Adigun suggests upping your intake of protein (pork), biotin (eggs), zinc (green beans) and iron (beef ) for better nails. She also recommends avoiding a ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat (like Atkins), due to the biotin depletion it promotes within the body – if you’re prescribed this diet for medical purposes, take biotin supplements to replace the loss.
8 CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTS
“Nails tend to show the first signs of a vitamin deficiency,” says celebrity manicurist Ashlie Johnson. Try adding more supplements such as Solgar Super Potency Biotin 5 000mcg (R180) or omega-3.
9 EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
“I believe nails need to be exfoliated on a regular basis to maintain their strength and health,” Deborah says. To do so, use a nail buer in gentle circular motions to smooth and brighten beds. But – in the same way that you don’t want to overexfoliate your skin – you should bu only once a week.
10 GET REGULAR MANICURES
As if you really needed an excuse. “Manicures remove the rough edges, dry cuticles, and hangnails we tend to pick at and get caught on things,” Ashlie says. However, make sure the treatment is gentle. “Nails and cuticles are much more delicate than people realise.”