Best Simple Tips for Beautiful, Healthy Nails

Nail Care Tips from Experts

With the advent of shellac and gel manicures, nail polish stickers, and new nail decorating tools (not to mention the seemingly infinite number of Pinterest boards dedicated to nail art), rocking gorgeous, killer nails is becoming increasingly more important to us ladies. And we all know that nothing kills a mani/pedi like brittle, weak, unhealthy nails. So to get and keep your nails in the best shape possible, we’ve aggregated some of our favorite expert healthy nail tips.    


Prevent Brittle, Weak Nails
One of the biggest culprits causing brittle, weak nails is nail polish remover. Dermatologist Dr. Debra Price explains, “All nail polish removers contain solvents that strip the nail polish from the nail plate. This can dry the nail plate and contribute to brittle nails. While non-acetone nail polish [removers] may be slightly less drying, they may require more rubbing to remove the nail polish.”  

To prevent this damage caused by removing your nail polish, Dr. Price says it’s not what you use, but how often. “The best way to prevent dehydration of the nails from nail polish remover is to limit the use to not more than once a week, or less frequently if possible.” Everything in moderation, people.    


Strengthen Your Nails
The stronger your nails, the better off you and your manicure are (especially if you’re trying to rock the natural, longer nail look). While it can seem like the whole waiting-for-a-pot-to-boil syndrome, there are ways to speed up the process of getting stronger beautiful nails.  

“If you are worried about the strength of your nails, add some natural non-flavored gelatin into your diet or use as a supplement,” explains certified holistic health coach Heather Vargas, adding that you can find these nail boosters at most local health food stores.   

To strengthen nails, Dr. Price recommends a treatment applied directly to the nails along with a supplement. She explains, “Leaving nail polish off the nails temporarily, applying a lactic acid moisturizer like Amlactin XL and taking Biotin supplements (2.5 mg daily) can be helpful in improving dry, brittle nails.”  

Clinical pharmacist Dr. Stacey McCoy agrees that a biotin supplement can be beneficial to improve nail strength, but emphasizes, “One of the best and safest ways to receive biotin is through your diet.” Biotin-rich foods include whole grain cereals, whole wheat bread, eggs, dairy and lean proteins like salmon and chicken.   Other benefits of including whole grains and lean protein in your diet? They’ll help you fend off pesky hunger pangs.

Maintain Your Cuticles When your manicurist asks if you want your cuticles cut or pushed back, it’s not clear which is the right choice for your nail health. While it may be common to cut the cuticle in some nail salons, the experts warn against this practice. “It is best not to cut cuticles as they protect the nail from infection,” explains dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman. She also adds that cutting your cuticles could cause you to get a skin infection (usually bacterial).  

Instead of throwing an open house party for skin bacteria, Dr. Jaliman recommends wrapping an orange stick with cotton and pushing the cuticle back gently. If you’re doing this yourself, you can make the process a little easier by doing it after you get out of the shower or the bath. The cuticle area will be softer then, after your fingers have soaked in warm water.  

If you’re having trouble with hangnails or inflamed cuticles, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet--particularly zinc. For your zinc fix, munch on nuts, seeds and carrots. This will improve both your nails and skin.


To Shellac or Not to Shellac
Shellac manicures definitely have their pluses. Your shiny, chip-free polish will stay perfectly put for a solid week and a half--sometimes even two weeks or longer. But with a product that innovative, you want to make sure there are no hidden downsides, especially considering all the toxic chemicals that can be found in some of our beauty products.  

Shellac, Vargas explains, is made from a red, hardened secretion from an insect found in Thailand, India and Burma. The secretion is then added to ingredients found in furniture polish, dentistry and cosmetic products.  

“There are little toxicity reports to date,” Vargas says. “However, I would [advise] to use with caution, as I’m sure there are other ingredients that may be toxic that go into making Shellac for nails.”   If you want to be extra cautious, she recommends opting for a natural polish from brands like Zoya, Priti NYC, Essie, Keeki or Piggie Paint. Julep is also a great non-toxic brand to try.  

 

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Article source: ChickRX