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.
831.373.2273 or book on line at www.montereydayspa.com
