Assuming that there’s no critical medical drawback at play, although, your weaker nails is likely to be the results of some dangerous habits that require slightly tweaking. To that time:
2. Use a glass nail file.
That is arguably the only swap to make and an crucial step in caring for smooth nails, in line with the consultants SELF spoke with. Coarse recordsdata, like conventional emery boards, trigger tiny tears that depart the free fringe of the nail (the very tip) tough and extra apt to snag on issues and break, nail technician Amy Ling Lin, founder and CEO of Sundays, tells SELF.
Glass recordsdata, however, create a a lot smoother edge, she says. Dr. Stern agrees: “That is such a straightforward repair for individuals, particularly those that have weak nails which are liable to peeling and splitting on the ideas.” Attempt OPI’s Crystal Nail File ($15, Ulta) or Tweezerman’s Glass Nail File ($9, Amazon.com).
3. Take a break in between long-lasting manicures.
Sturdy manicures—gels, acrylics, dips—are a significant win if you need that flawlessly polished search for weeks on finish, however they’re sadly not doing all of your nails any favors. Dr. Kobets says that lots of her sufferers inform her all these manis make their nails really feel stronger, however that’s only a superficial and non permanent impact. “The constant strain of thicker kinds of polish or synthetic nails on the nail matrix, the world on the base of the nail underneath the cuticle the place progress is initiated, can finally trigger the nail to develop out thinner,” she explains.
Dr. Stern agrees that long-lasting manicures aren’t nice, though she cites the cruel removing course of as the principle drawback. It usually consists of an extended soak in dehydrating acetone, coupled with aggressive scraping that weakens the nail, she says.
This doesn’t imply you need to forgo the one that you love gel manicures perpetually, but it surely’s price being conscious and taking a break when you possibly can. Lin advises tailoring the timetable primarily based on the situation of your nails. “In the event that they’re in fairly fine condition and also you simply wish to keep away from harm, take every week or two off each one to a few months,” she suggests. “But when your nails are softer otherwise you’re making an attempt to guard brittle nails, contemplate leaving them naked for nearer to 4 to 6 weeks.”
4. Go for acetone-free polish remover.
“All nail polish removers need to be formulated with some sort of solvent,” Dr. Stern says. “Substances on this class are innately dehydrating, however acetone is the worst of the bunch.” Nail cells are flat and overlap like shingles on roof: After they dry out, they’re extra prone to raise and peel off, which is why the nail finally ends up not solely thinner and weaker, but additionally extra liable to floor irregularities like bumps and ridges, she explains.
Like making the change to a glass nail file, selecting a non-acetone remover is a straightforward and fast repair. Remember the fact that it could require slightly bit extra elbow grease to take away all the colour, although—and that removers with out acetone will solely work on common polish, not long-lasting formulation like skilled gel. Utilizing a transparent base coat earlier than your colour will help make the removing course of simpler, Lin says, because it retains the polish from staining or absorbing into the nail, which might make it more durable to take away. A pair to attempt: Ella & Mila Jojoba Nail Polish Remover ($11, Amazon) or Cutex Non-Acetone Extremely-Care Nail Polish Remover ($3, Goal).
5. Shield your nails from an excessive amount of water.
Yep, you learn that proper. Good previous H2O isn’t as innocuous as you could assume—in terms of nail well being, anyway. “Nails can soak up roughly 1,000 occasions extra water than pores and skin. They act like sponges, absorbing liquid, which causes the nail cells to increase after which contract,” Dr. Stern explains. “This cycle of enlargement and contraction finally weakens them and makes them rather more liable to breakage, particularly in the event that they’re already brittle to start with.”