Tips for Strong and Healthy Nails
Winter does a lot of things on our skin, hair and nails. It’s no secret that cold weather has a bad effect on our overall beauty, and we should focus on maintaining better beauty habits during the colder months. However, the health of our nails isn’t just affected by the cold. Some of the mistakes we make can lead to brittle, unhealthy nails. These daily activities often slow down the growth process and make our nails prone to breaking.
If you’ve always wanted to grow strong, long nails, here are some things you should do.
Moisturize
It’s important to moisturize your hands and nails, especially during the colder months. If your nails and cuticles lack moisture, they will start to crack and break easily. This is something you should avoid, so be sure to massage your moisturizer into your nail bed and cuticle several times a day.
It will help you prevent rough skin and long nails, and protect your hands and cuticles from dryness.
Don’t Pick or Bite Your Nails
Of course, in order for them to grow, you have to avoid biting your nails. This habit is common and hard to break. However, you have to do your best because it’s not healthy for your nails and it’s very unhygienic to do so. You don’t need to ingest any bacteria that could harm your body! Also, you need to stop picking cuticles — because healthy cuticles promote healthy nail growth.
Don’t Pick at Your Polish
Another bad habit is scraping nail polish off with your nails or sharp objects. That’s a big no! When you shave off nail polish, you’re basically shaving off the top layer of your nail. This will make them thin, brittle and damaged, and you won’t be able to make your nails grow longer and stronger. Be sure to use only nail polish remover to remove nail polish.
Avoid Acetone Based Removers
When we remove nail polish, make sure you use a high quality nail polish remover that does not contain acetone. Acetone is bad for your nails and cuticles, drying them out and causing them to split and break. Avoid it at all costs and switch to non-toxic and acetone-free nail polish removers.
Say No to Gels
While gel manicures last longer than regular nail polish, they can be very bad for your nails. Gel polishes and acrylic nail gels contain toxins that are extremely harmful to the nail and cuticle. Uv lamps are also harmful to your skin, and removing gel nails is too irritating and dry.
A professional gel manicure may be a good thing to do every once in a while, but in the long run it can ruin your nails, making them thin and prone to breaking. Recovering from years of gel manicures can be really hard, so it’s best not to get used to the treatment. Switch to regular nail polish – it’s cheaper and quicker than going to the salon.
Take Biotin Supplements
Biotin is an excellent beauty supplement. Taking biotin daily can have positive effects on hair, skin, and nails. This vitamin is essential for maintaining strong, healthy nails. Your nails are made of protein, so biotin will boost the production of healthy proteins to help you grow long, strong nails.
Use Nail Hardeners
Don’t forget to coat your manicure with a clear, fortified polish. Most nail polish brands offer nail hardeners, and these products can be a real lifesaver for brittle nails. This will also help your nail polish last longer, so it’s a win-win situation!
Protect Your Nails From Dryness and Chemicals
Many detergents and luxury brands contain chemicals that can damage nails and skin. Exposing your nails to water can also cause dryness.
So it’s best to wear rubber gloves when doing housework or washing dishes to protect hands and nails. Also, don’t forget to wear thermal gloves when going out in cold weather!
Give Your Nails a Break
If you like to do your nails all the time, you need to remember that it’s bad for them and may cause cracking and splitting. As mentioned above, you need to avoid gel treatments for the sake of your nails. You’ll also want to avoid nail polish for a while, because while they’re a safer alternative, they also contain toxic ingredients.
You don’t have to give up on having great nails, but you should at least consider giving them a break. This will help your nail recover from all injuries and restore its strength and health!