Want
to showcase the latest nail art trend? Hold off on that polish. First,
you have to build a strong base. Dana Stern, a board-certified
dermatologist and nails specialist in New York City, outlines seven tips
on how to strengthen your fingernails.
Wear Gloves When Washing the Dishes
You
probably can't bow out of household chores entirely (a girl can
dream!), but if you're exposing your hands to water for long periods of
time, like when you're tackling a sink full of dishes, throw on a pair
of rubber gloves first. Fingernails absorb water even better than your
skin does, says Stern. And while that sounds like a good thing, it's
really not. "When water is constantly moving in and out of the nail, it
puts a tremendous strain on the delicate nail cells," she explains. Too
much water contact can result in soft, weak nails that are susceptible
to breakage. (Psst: 10 Instagrams You Need to Follow for Cute Nail Designs.)
Polish to Protect
Layers
of nail polish help protect the fingernail and hold nail cells
together, but Stern recommends a five-free formula that avoids dibutyl
phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, camphor, and formaldehyde resin
chemicals. And whatever you do, don't skip the base coat and
topcoat—they provide two additional layers of protection that you don't
want to miss out on.
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Avoid Nail Polish Removers with Acetone
While
you definitely get protection from polish, that doesn't give you free
reign to paint and repaint. Stern says constantly doing so could dry out
your nails. Why? Nail polish remover is enemy No. 1 for healthy nails.
More specifically, the acetone found in many removers dries out the nail
and allows brittleness to set in. Stern says to try not to use remover
more than twice a week, and when you do, make it a non-acetone one, such
as Ulta's Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover.
And if you've got a standing appointment for a weekly mani but notice
your fingernails are peeling and chipping, Stern recommends taking a
break for 2-4 weeks to let them regain strength. You could also take
that time to try Stern's Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System, which treats weak nails in 10 minutes a week.
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Swear Off Hand Sanitizers
Yes,
they kill germs, but hand sanitizers also zap moisture from your nails.
If you can't track down soap, Stern suggests using a travel-sized
moisturizing body wash instead. (Follow these 6 Simple Steps to Adorable Spring Nail Art.)
Load Up on Cuticle Oil
The
cuticle is the nail's natural protective seal, says Stern, and breaking
it weakens the nail and puts you at increased risk for bacterial
infections. Everyone could benefit from applying cuticle oil to keep
fingernails moisturized, but swimmers should definitely get in
the habit. Stern says they're at risk of brutally dry cuticles, thanks
to the chlorine. Coating fingernails with polish and cuticle oil could
keep them protected during pool workouts.
Take a Biotin Supplement
The
B vitamin has been shown to help strengthen your fingernails, says
Stern. Take 2-3 milligrams (or 2,000-3,000 micro milligrams) a day for
four to six months. It takes that long for fingernails to fully grow
out, and biotin builds a stronger new nail rather than repairing what
you're currently sporting on your fingertips. (P.S. These are the 5 Best Vitamins for Hair Growth.)
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Adjust Your Diet
Nail cells are rich in the structural protein keratin, but adding more protein to
your diet could add an extra-supportive boost, says Stern. Loading up
on biotin-rich foods like eggs, peanuts, almonds, salmon, and Swiss
chard could also help, she adds.
Side note: While weak nails are usually the result of genetics, if yours suddenly seem uncharacteristically fragile, it could be a hint that a bigger health issue is going on. "Hypothyroidism, Raynaud's syndrome, and protein deficiency all can cause nails to be brittle and weak," says Stern. Set up a time to see a doctor to get them checked out. (Don't forget to learn these 8 manicure tricks from the pros.)
Side note: While weak nails are usually the result of genetics, if yours suddenly seem uncharacteristically fragile, it could be a hint that a bigger health issue is going on. "Hypothyroidism, Raynaud's syndrome, and protein deficiency all can cause nails to be brittle and weak," says Stern. Set up a time to see a doctor to get them checked out. (Don't forget to learn these 8 manicure tricks from the pros.)
