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How to Strengthen Your Brittle Nails

Cursed with weak, brittle nails? Here's how to whip your nails into shape

Some people are just born with thick, superstrong nails that grow like weeds -- the kind of talon-like tips that inspired the phrase "hard as nails." Then there's the rest of us: The people who struggle to keep a manicure from chipping after a day, thanks to weak, peeling, brittle nails. We try to keep them pretty with polish, but you can only gloss over your nail issues for so long before something has to give. While disguising your peeling brittle nails is a temporary fix, it's one that will ultimately hurt your nail health more if you don't address the reason your nails are brittle in the first place. No one likes the hangnails, splitting, and slow growth that come with weak nails. Below you'll find some common causes of weak nails and some potential solutions to eliminate the frustration.

Brittle Nails
Brittle Nails


Common Causes of Brittle Nails
Before you treat your thin, brittle nails, it's a good idea to try and identify the cause of your problem. Many things can affect your nails -- anything from the environment to your beauty routine.

Too Much Moisture
Yes, there is such a thing. Nails are made of keratin-based cells that overlap each other to form a durable sheet. However, this material is also extremely water-absorbent. As each cell absorbs water, it swells, which can strain the cell wall and affect the overall structure of the nail. If you frequently expose your hands to water (think: twice-daily showers, frequent hand washing or lack of a dishwasher), your nails become brittle from the repeated swelling and contracting of their cells.

The Solution: Consider wearing gloves when you wash the dishes or do any cleaning that involves water. Also, pro tip: Don't trim your cuticles. This thin layer of tissue helps keep water from getting into the nails and creating a moist environment where bacteria can grow. Instead, push your cuticles back and use cuticle oil to soften them.

Extreme Climates
Your nails tend to absorb moisture from the air, and they can also lose moisture when exposed to a dry environment. If you live in an area with extremely moist or dry outdoor conditions and the opposite indoor conditions, this environmental flux can lead to brittle nails over time.

The Solution: Trim your nails short to minimize the surface area where moisture can be absorbed. You can also apply cuticle oil to help keep your nails soft and hydrated. The oil will provide some measure of protection from dry and humid air. Consider taking a supplement like Phyto Phytophanere Dietary Supplement for Hair & Nails, $60, to provide your nails with the extra nutrients they need to remain strong and resilient.

Put Down the Nail Polish
As much as you love the look of nail polish, the nail polish remover that you use between colors may be harming your nails. Polish remover contains solvents that can damage the cells in your nails by creating Sahara-like conditions that lead to brittle nails.

The Solution: Stop using nail polish and nail polish remover for about three months to see if your brittle nails improve. You can also try switching to a brand of remover that doesn't use acetone, such as Ulta Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover, $2.49. Also, try to minimize the amount of time your nails are exposed to any drying chemicals, such as those found in hand sanitizers.

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