Weak, brittle, and cracked nails, as well as jagged and painful cuticles are very annoying. Trying a variety of drugs available in pharmacies is also quite confusing and ineffective, because it seems that there are tons of products (from moisturizers to nail polish) that promise stronger, longer, and faster-growing nails. However, you don't have to use chemical boosters or other expensive treatments. You can solve nail problems using simple everyday steps.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Styling Nails Correctly
Step 1. Stop scraping the nail surface
This scraping is usually done to flatten the jagged nail surface. What most women don't know is that this kind of surface is an important part of the nail. The thickest layer of the nail is the healthiest part, and the hollows on the surface of the nail are actually less healthy. This way, when you scrape off the surface, the strongest and healthiest layer of the nail will be removed.
If the jagged surface is very annoying, try choosing a high-quality coating paint. A special coating paint for jagged surfaces will fill in the gaps there. That way, your nails will look smooth without getting damaged
Step 2. Improve how to file nails
First of all, make sure to always lay the file flat on the tip of the nail. Once the result is what you want, tilt the file board and continue to file the tip of the nail at a 45-degree angle. This will smooth the nails so they don't get caught and torn.
Always use a fine nail file. Rough nail files are meant for artificial nails and can damage your natural nails. The same goes for metal files. Instead of using a metal file, use an emery board with padding
Step 3. Trim the nails
Nails are often torn as a result of splitting or not trimming properly. After the nail is torn, the skin and nail bed will also be damaged or torn. Even a small tear on the surface of the skin allows infection to enter. So, prevent this from happening and use nail clippers to trim nails that are too long.
Don't bite the tips of your nails. In addition to tearing nails and skin, biting your nails can transfer bacteria from your mouth into the sores they cause
Step 4. Leave the nail cuticle
A popular myth is that cuticles can be removed easily. In fact, this is not true at all, because the cuticle is a protective nail bed. Unless you are professionally trained, don't try to cut your cuticles yourself. This can result in sores and problems with your finger.
- If you think your cuticles look ugly, instead of cutting them, try moisturizing them. Softening your cuticles with essential oils or hand creams can promote healthy nail growth.
- The second option is to use a cuticle removal cream. Cuticle removal cream can be massaged into the cuticles with a pointed brush to press it into the nail bed. That way, the cuticles will look cleaner and neater.
Method 2 of 2: Protecting Nails
Step 1. Moisturize your nails
Homemade nail polish can be made from a combination of different oils. Try coconut oil, argan oil, or olive oil mixed with tea tree oil or vitamin E oil. Applying a generous amount of the oil to the surface of your nails with a cotton ball until they're wet will give them the healthy moisture they need.
If your nails feel soft and break easily, try using vitamin E. On the other hand, tea tree oil can be a healthy option to keep your nails clean and keep them away from fungus
Step 2. Add nail health supplements to your diet
Many women feel the benefits of supplements for nail growth and overall body health. Biotin in particular, can be taken by mouth to help strengthen brittle nails. Consider buying high-quality supplements for hair, skin, and nails. These supplements usually contain vitamins A, C, D, E as well as many B vitamins, as well as folic acid, zinc, iron, calcium, and biotin. If taken regularly, this supplement can have a real positive effect. Not only for stronger nail growth, but also hair and skin beauty.
- If your diet is low in the above nutrients, multivitamin preparations can provide supplements for nail health. Weak and brittle nails are often caused by nutritional deficiencies. Talk to your doctor to determine which multivitamin is right for you.
- Be sure to consume enough omega-3 oils to reduce the risk of weak and brittle nails. Omega-3, also known as fish oil, can be taken as a supplement or found in dairy products, eggs, nuts, and healthy fats such as olive oil.
Step 3. Choose hand care products carefully
Daily care products such as nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, and other cleaning products can not only damage your nails, but also accelerate the aging of your hands. So, opt for gentler products to make your hands and nails look younger and fresher.
- Hand sanitizers are often alcohol-based. Alcohol can dry out not only the skin, but also the nails. Alcohol will dry out your hands and make your nails brittle and break easily. Washing hands with antibacterial soap and then drying them immediately is a better option than using hand sanitizer.
- Wear gloves during cleaning if possible. Maybe using glass cleaner directly seems harmless. Though, while it won't kill you directly, it will kill your nails. Protect your hands to prevent moisture from escaping from your nails.
- Stay away from acetone-based nail polish removers. Acetone-based nail polish removers have been shown to over time dry out nails and make them weak. So, use the acetone-free nail polish remover available at most pharmacies instead.
Step 4. Don't use nails as a tool
The weakest part of the nail is the tip. When pressed, this part will pull the entire nail and peel it off the finger. This can make the nails very weak. To avoid this, don't use your fingernail to open the can, peel off the sticker, or scrape anything off other surfaces.
Tips
If you like using nail polish, don't peel it off immediately if it looks cracked. Peeling off the nail polish will remove the microscopic layers of the nail and over time will soften and flex the nail
Warning
- It's easy to trust a cosmetic company's products, but try to avoid nail polishes or coatings that promise stronger or harder nails, or lure you with "natural," "growth-accelerating" or "guaranteed" labels. In the end, these nail polishes are just paints that contain chemicals, and are a temporary solution.
- Pregnancy vitamins are often recommended as strong hair and nail supplements. Although possibly harmless, the vitamins contained in these preparations often interact with other medications. So, always consult a doctor before using it.
