While many individuals emphasize self-care for their bodies, one aspect often overlooked is nail health. It’s essential to recognize that nails, like hair and skin, deserve attention and care. Thin, peeling, cracked, or brittle nails can serve as indicators of poor nail health.

Contrary to the belief that regular manicures can solve these issues, this article will reveal that there might be better solutions. Effective maintenance at home, coupled with dietary adjustments and supplements, emerges as a superior approach to enhancing and maintaining optimal nail health.

A noteworthy alternative to traditional acrylic and gel manicures is the use of My Lash Mana. Our press-on nails offer a convenient and user-friendly solution, featuring a diverse range of stylish options such as the trendy Cheetah Nails, ideal for the spring and summer seasons. Elevate your self-care routine by giving your nails the care they truly deserve.

Ease off on Frequent Gel Manicures

It might not be the news you want to hear, but it’s essential to reconsider the habit of weekly gel manicures, as it could be a leading cause of your nails becoming thin and prone to cracking.

Despite common beliefs that gel manicures contribute to nail strength, the reality is quite the opposite. While gel polish may give the appearance of faster nail growth, it doesn’t necessarily enhance nail strength. Although gel offers a protective layer, it can simultaneously weaken the nails. Notably, upon removal of gel polish, you may observe increased vulnerability to breakage, especially if you don’t opt for another gel manicure promptly.

To maintain healthier nails, consider a more balanced approach. Instead of weekly gel manicures, opt for occasional sessions or alternate between gel and regular polish. If you find yourself in a cycle of continuous gel manicures, a recommended strategy is to undertake a “nail reset.”

Allocate a month without any manicures, allowing your nails to breathe. Trim them to a short, neutral length, and apply cuticle oil daily. Regular filing and buffing can also contribute to a smooth nail surface. After the month-long break, consider limiting manicures to once a month initially before resuming your usual schedule, if necessary. Just like our skin, our nails benefit from occasional breaks to promote overall health.

Enhance Nail Health with Supplements

Boosting your nail health can be effectively supported by incorporating supplements into your routine, and one of the most beneficial options is collagen. Not only does collagen play a significant role in promoting skin and hair health, but it also serves as a source of essential amino acids, acting as fundamental building blocks within our bodies.

If you’ve exhausted various remedies without witnessing the desired results, increasing your collagen intake might be the transformative element for improving not just your nails but multiple facets of your overall health. Insufficient collagen levels in the body can result in easily broken or cracked nails, accompanied by brittleness in both nails and hair, leading to issues like peeling and cracking.

As the natural aging process unfolds, collagen levels naturally decline. Although we cannot halt this depletion, proactive steps can be taken to counterbalance it by consuming the right foods and integrating suitable supplements. Daily intake of collagen supplements can potentially yield stronger and healthier nails over time. Recognized as the most abundant protein in our body, collagen, when taken in supplement form, ensures an adequate protein supply crucial for optimal nail growth.

Safeguard Your Nails during Daily Activities

Often, we overlook the impact that routine, day-to-day tasks can have on our nails. It’s important to recognize that any activity involving the use of our hands also implicates our nails. For instance, a significant contributor to nail issues is the frequent performance of daily chores, such as washing dishes. If you find yourself immersed in this task regularly, your nails are likely bearing the brunt.

The good news is that a straightforward solution exists: don rubber gloves. By wearing protective gloves, you shield your hands from chemicals, soap, and hot water, all of which can contribute to nail damage. This advice extends to other household cleaning duties, particularly those involving chemicals like cleaners or bleach. Consistently wearing gloves not only safeguards your skin but also preserves the health of your nails, as prolonged exposure to chemicals can adversely affect both.

Another activity demanding vigilance is gardening, yard work, or any outdoor labor. Actions like digging, planting, and handling dirt can compromise nail strength and overall health. Once again, the remedy is simple—ensure you protect your hands. Invest in sturdy gardening gloves for any outdoor tasks to prevent your nails from direct contact with potentially harmful substances. This practice not only safeguards your nails but also helps preserve your nail polish, preventing chipping if your nails are beautifully done.

 

Avoid Picking at Your Nail Polish

If there’s a crucial takeaway from this article, it’s this: resist the urge to pick at your nail polish, whether it’s regular polish or artificial nails. Allow it to remain undisturbed until professionally removed at a salon or safely taken off at home. Particularly with gel polish, peeling it off can render your nails significantly weaker. If you attempt to peel off fake or acrylic nails, the consequences could be even more severe, potentially leading to breakage.

We understand the temptation, especially when dealing with gel polish that might chip or peel. However, we strongly advise against this, as even a single instance can have detrimental effects on your overall nail health. If you genuinely want to remove the polish, the recommended approach is to soak your nails in polish remover. This applies to both traditional polishes and fake nails adhered with glue. Immerse them until the glue dissolves for fake nails or until the gel polish begins to peel. Alternatively, you can saturate cotton rounds in nail polish remover, apply them to your nails, and wrap them in foil. Allow it to sit for a while, and the polish should come off easily.

In Summary

Now that you are aware of the reasons behind thin, peeling, and broken nails, you may take useful advice on how to address these issues. It is encouraging to note that the majority of these issues are caused by outside variables that are simple to change, such as using gloves when handling cleaning agents. One useful tactic for mending and resetting your nails is to give them some breathing room and take a vacation from the nail salon.

In essence, protecting your nails is essential to averting these problems. If you’re still having issues after all your efforts, it’s conceivable that your nails are just more vulnerable. Under such circumstances, taking supplements and eating a diet high in protein and healthy fats may produce better outcomes.

As you set out to repair your nails and think about picking up your nail care regimen again, think about using My Lash Mana as another option. Our press-ons provide a healthier alternative to nail aesthetics by giving you salon-quality nails at home without being as harsh on your natural nails.