Fixing Troubled Fingernails

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

22 May 2006 07:59 AM

We don't all have perfect fingernails. Yours may be weak, and bend easily. They may be brittle, and split if you look at them funny. Do you rely on manicures to make your nails look good?

Here are some important tips if you have problem fingernails.

Weak or brittle nails can be a challenge to toughen up. Protection may be your best bet, making your nails less likely to split, bend, or break.

1. Keep your nails short, square-shaped, and slightly rounded at the tip.
2. Trim brittle nails after a bath or a hand-soak.
3. Moisturize your nails after trimming.
4. Moisturize your nails and cuticles after you wash your hands.
5. Moisturize your nails and cuticles before bed. For extra dry, brittle nails, wear cotton gloves while you sleep.
6. A nail hardener may help your weak or brittle nails, but avoid nail hardeners that contain formaldehyde or toluene sulfonamide. These can be skin irritants.
7. Use non-acetone nail polish removers. Acetone-based removers can dry your nails out.
8. Repair splits or tears with nail glue or clear nail polish.

Manicures can make your nails look good, but there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your nails beautiful AND healthy.

1. Don't have your cuticles removed. They are there for a reason -- to protect new growth at the base of the nail bed. Removing the cuticles can lead to infection.
2. Make sure your nail technician uses properly sterilized tools. Unsterilized tools can transmit viral infections.
3. Don't use nail polish remover more than twice a month. Avoid acetone based nail polish remover; try touching up the polish instead, if chips are keeping your manicure from looking perfect.

Tricks like increasing the protein in your diet or soaking your nails in gelatin isn't going to help your fingernails be stronger or healthier. Preventing splits and tears is your best bet for problem nails! Keeping up on the basics of nail care can help keep your fingernails in their best shape.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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