Stronger, Longer Nails: Simple Steps for Healthy Nails
Beautiful nails don't have to come at a high price. Forget expensive nail tools, the secret to healthy nails lies in your daily habits. To learn the best ways to care for your nails, we talked to dermatologists, the experts in skin and nails. Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to stronger, longer nails in no time.
Moisture is Key
We all know moisturizing is important for healthy skin, but it's often forgotten when it comes to nails. Dry, brittle nails often lack moisture. Think of proper hydration as the foundation of your nail care routine. When you put on hand lotion, pay extra attention to your nails. There are special nail moisturizers available, but that's just half the story. Strong nails are about more than fancy creams.
Leave Your Cuticles Alone
It's tempting to cut or push back your cuticles, but they're actually your nails' natural protectors. According to dermatologist Dana Stern, cuticles are the "nail's natural protective seal." Messing with them can actually hurt your nails and make them more prone to infection, even if a professional is doing it.
Michele Green, another dermatologist, agrees. She says unhealthy cuticles can have a domino effect. "Dry or injured cuticles can damage the nail bed and affect how your nails grow," she explains. To protect and strengthen your nails, Dr. Green recommends moisturizing your cuticles with lotion or cuticle oil.
Minimize Water Contact
There's no need to stop washing your hands or wear gloves in the shower, but be mindful of how much time your nails spend in water. Too much water exposure can weaken your nails. For example, wet hair is more prone to breakage, and the same goes for nails. Consider wearing gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.
Think about how soft your nails get after a long bath. Nails are like sponges. Dermatologist Dr. Stern explains that nails absorb water much more easily than skin. This excessive water exposure can damage the delicate nail cells, leading to brittleness, peeling, and breakage. Soaking your nails before a manicure is also a bad idea for this reason. Not only can it make your nails more prone to infection, according to Dr. Green, but it can also make nail polish not adhere as well.
Be Gentle with Your Nails
The best way to care for your nails is to be gentle. Dermatologist Susan Taylor advises against digging under your nails to remove dirt. This can separate the nail from the nail bed, which can lead to infection.
For similar reasons, avoid using your nails as tools, no matter how convenient it may seem. There are better ways to open a can of soda! If you do get acrylic or gel manicures, which you shouldn't do too often, proper removal is important. Look for at-home gel nail polish kits that include the necessary tools to take care of your nails. Dr. Taylor says peeling off acrylic or gel nails damages the nail plate, so avoid doing that.
Treat Your Nails Like Your Hair
Here's a new rule to remember: nails and hair are made of the same protein, keratin. So, it makes sense that many of the same care tips apply to both. Dr. Stern says too much processing can damage nails and hair just like it can damage skin. Frequent polish removal, gels, and acrylics can do the same thing to nails that dyes, chemicals, and heat styling do to hair.
Just like hydration helps with frizzy hair and split ends, it can also improve dry and brittle nails. While there's no nail equivalent to a second-day hairstyle, treating your nails with care, like you would your hair, can keep them healthy. To reiterate, hydration is key. Dr. Green recommends using cuticle conditioner regularly, just like you would use hair conditioner.
Winter Woes
Winter can be tough on skin, hair, and nails. Cold, dry weather can make nails extra brittle, but Dr. Stern says the constant temperature changes from going outdoors to indoors can also cause damage. The shift in temperature can cause nail cells to expand and contract repeatedly, which weakens the cells and leads to breakage. To protect your nails and hands in the winter, always wear gloves and moisturize regularly.
Rethink Your Nail Care Products
- Nail files: Those old emery boards are bad for your nails. Dr. Stern says they create tiny tears that lead to splits and peeling. Instead, use a glass or crystal nail file.
- Nail polish remover: Ideally, you wouldn't use nail polish remover at all. But if you must, use a non-acetone remover with hydrating ingredients.
- Nail brush: Skip the pointy file and use a soft nail brush.
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