Q&A
You put too much time into your manicure to ruin it! What causes fingernails to become brittle and how can this be prevented?
Brittle nails can be the symptom of health-related, internal factors (age, iron deficiency, hypothyroidism, etc.) and should be discussed with a health professional. In this article, we will focus on the external factors that can cause this issue.
Scenario 1: Dry, brittle nails
If you fall into this category, your nails are not well moisturized. Excessive hand washing and drying may be the cause.
Scenario 2: Soft, brittle nails
Contrary to the previous category, your nails are overly moisturized. Try to avoid contact with detergents and household products, as well as using nail polish remover too often.
Weak nails no more!
Fortunately, doing some very simple things will strengthen your nails. The goal is to protect, moisturize and treat. First of all, wear gloves to protect your hands when doing household tasks (or, better yet, find someone else to do them for you!). Consider shorter manicures to reduce the risk of breakage. Also, use a polish like CDN Shellac, OPI Gel Color or Orly GelFX to harden your nails.
Next, get into the habit of applying a moisturizing hand cream daily. A hand care product enriched with lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acid is ideal. Cuticle oils are excellent allies for providing the required boost of nutrients.
Lastly, incorporate a treatment suited to your nail type to avoid future damage. This will improve the appearance of your nails and create a smooth base for the application of your favourite polish.
Put these tips into practice and you’ll quickly see fabulous results! Goodbye brittle nails!