Do you long for a perfect manicure or just nicely manicured hands, but chipped nails spoil the overall impression? Hands are everyone's calling card and say something about us, our lifestyle, self-care and health. Splitting fingernails can give you a really hard time. But what is the cause of these problems and how can you strengthen nails so that they look healthy and beautiful?
Try strengthening nail polish
Causes of splitting and breaking nails
What is actually behind weak, splitting nails? There can be several reasons:
- Insufficient hydration – dry nails are brittle, break easily, and can also split. Frequent hand washing, use of disinfectants, but also insufficient fluid intake can be a problem.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiency – the lack of vitamin B (biotin), C, E and A, magnesium, iron and zinc in particular can lead to poor nail quality.
- Mechanical damage – the use of inappropriate tools during manicures or careless handling of the nails can disrupt their structure and cause nails to break and split.
- Excessive use of nail products – too frequent use of aggressive nail polish and nail polish removers can weaken nails. Chemical cleaning products can also be harmful.
- Health problems – psoriasis, eczema or thyroid issues can also influence nail health.
- Ageing – brittle nails can also come with advancing age. This is because nail structure changes with age, and they can be more prone to splitting.
Discover nourishing hand and nail creams
How to strengthen weak nails
Nail growth quality and speed is determined by genetics to a degree, but you can still influence it with the right nail care. Your nails will then thank you with faster growth, firmer structure and a healthier appearance.
External care for brittle nails
Brittle nails can limit you in everyday activities. They are not aesthetic and can sometimes be painful. You can hide your nails under a professional gel manicure and hope that your problem will solve itself, or you can take the matter into your own hands. The ideal way to healthy, beautiful nails is through nail strengthening.
Strengthening oils against brittle nails
What should you avoid, and on the contrary – what helps with splitting nails? Start with care and proper nail grooming. These have a direct effect on nails, their structure and hydration.
- Use hand creams and nail oils.
Follow a drinking regime and hydrate your nails externally – use a hydrating hand cream, a nourishing oil or nail serum regularly. Your nails will be hydrated, flexible and durable.
- Get a strengthening nail polish.
It's true that too frequent use of aggressive nail polishes and nail polish removers harms your nails. However, this does not apply to nail polishes that are directly designed to prevent nail breakage. It is not only a way to prevent splitting, but also a way to harden soft nails.
The nail polish protects the nail surface along the entire length and lets it grow longer.
- Nail clipping vs filing
Although it may not seem it, nail filing is gentler than clipping. To prevent fingernails and toenails splitting, always file them smooth after clipping. This will heal all nail layers and prevent tearing or splitting.
Use a fine file and work in one direction only, ideally from the edges to the centre. Finally, polish your nails. If you don't need to shorten your nails by a lot, you can easily do without clippers.
- The right nail length
The ideal nail length is different for everyone and is based on the size and shape of your nail bed. While some manicurists say your nail should not extend past the edge of your fingertips, others recommend a free nail length of about ⅓ of your nail bed. Longer nails are more prone to splitting and breaking.
How to strengthen your nails with the help of healthy food
Healthy, firm nails come from a varied and balanced diet, and their deterioration can be an indicator of a poor diet that lacks important elements. For example, the protein keratin or mineral substances.
Nail splitting is often caused by a lack of magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium or vitamins. But how can you put together a balanced diet from this list of elements?
We have prepared a list of 6 superfoods for you which will help you strengthen your nails naturally:
- Eggs – contain high quality protein, selenium, biotin
- Pumpkin seeds – seeds are a natural source of magnesium, iron and zinc
- Almonds – almonds, but also other nuts contain minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and copper
- Dairy products – have the best usable protein sources
- Liver – pork liver is the richest source of biotin in common foods
- Beans – especially black beans contain high amounts of zinc, magnesium, biotin and iron
Food supplements – what works for brittle nails
In food supplements for nails you'll often come across collagen. This may be bioactive collagen peptides - hydrolysed collagen - or conventional food supplements in tablet form.
While hydrolysed collagen does not contain any other ingredients, the tablets aimed at promoting nail growth contain several more ingredients. For example, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc or selenium, or nail-strengthening vitamins such as biotin, vitamin A, C and D. Apart from strengthening your nails, they will often help you get stronger hair and better nourished skin.
Remember that food supplements aren't a substitute for a varied diet, so they should always just supplement a high quality, balanced diet. You will be rewarded with lovely strong nails.
