5 Ways To Get Strong, Healthy Nails
Avoid synthetic nail treatments, hydrate your cuticles, and more
If it's been a while between manicures, and your nails are feeling a little neglected, you're not alone.
Pampering your nails probably hasn't been on the top of your to-do list, but with all that hand sanitising, it's likely they're feeling a little worse for wear. And it's not just about looks, healthy nails is a sign of health in general.
Here are our top tips on how caring for your hands and nails so that they're looking like the best set in town:
Is it possible to keep your nails in tip-top shape when they're covered by polish? Yes, you just need the right products.
Even though nails are composed of dead epidermal cells, they need to breathe. Synthetic nail treatments and products have an occlusive effect on the nails, causing them to soften and even putrefy (much like the effect of a Band-Aid).
Seek out products that have natural resins or formulas that are water-based like nitrocellulose — a natural resin product extracted from wood. This ingredient allows oxygen and water vapour to pass through the nail polish to the nail plate.
Dry cuticles are a common concern that can detract from the neat outline of the nail, and can harden and split to form unsightly and often painful hangnails.
The weather, excessive washing, and a lack of care can all result in dry skin and cuticles.
The best way to minimise this condition and prepare for the perfect nail contour is to adopt a cuticle maintenance program.
Is age to solely blame when it comes to brittle, easily chipped nails? Well, maybe.
Nail growth and nail condition varies as we age, and after 40 nail growth slows down from 2-3mm per month to 1mm in that same time period. Nail consistency is also affected by age as nails become fragile and brittle, with a tendency to form cracks along the free edge.
Never fear though. An easy fix is to keep nails short to protect against further damage and make them less prone to wear and tear. If your pet peeve is nails that peel, break or split easily, then try to strengthen them with a nail hardener.
However, for nails that snap or split because they are excessively hard and dry in general, treat them with a product that adds moisture back into the nail.
Diet plays such an important part in healthy nail growth that it is the most common cause of these irregularities.
Ridges often indicate a lack of the mineral sulphur in your diet. Amp up your protein rich foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and milk, (vegans, turn to garlic, onions, cabbage, cucumbers, brussels sprouts, turnips, nuts, kale, lettuce, kelp and raspberries).
Don't forget to gently buff your nails to help smooth the surface, then follow with a ridge filler product.
1. Condition the cuticles: Apply a specific hand mask to exfoliate and soften cuticles, while taking way excess dry debris.
2. Treat the cuticles: An oil with rich ingredients like sunflower oil or sweet almond oil keeps cuticles supple and well hydrated. Massage cuticles with a firm rotating motion towards the heart.
3. Intensive overnight treatment: Apply an intensive overnight rescue treatment, with hands soaked in a rich cream while wearing gloves.
4. On-the-go hydration: Keep a portable product in your handbag that can assist with daily dry conditions and serve as an on-the-go spot treatment.
5. Avoid cutting overgrown cuticles: This only makes them grow thicker. Instead, use a cuticle remover to soften them and help lift them off the nail plate, and roll them back with a manicure stick wrapped in cotton wool.
Text: Bauer Syndication