Indeed, fingernails don’t lead a simple life – every day they are exposed to damage, not only mechanical one. What are the causes of brittle nails? How to take care of the cuticles and hangnails? Here are my pieces of advice for you.
What are the causes of brittle nails?
The main reasons for nails getting brittle are:
- genetic predispositions
- unfavorable weather conditions (frequent temperature fluctuations, moisture, freezing weather, dry air)
- shortages of zinc, iron, silicon and B-group vitamins
- insufficient moisturizing of hands and nails
- unskillful nail filing
- use of polish removers with acetone
- keeping nails long in water
- frequent exposition to detergents and chemical substances|
- washing up and doing other house chores without wearing gloves
- some diseases (malabsorption, hormonal disorders, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, diabetics, mycosis)
My ways to get pretty nails and handle cuticles
Food for pretty nails
The good news first: the food you consume daily, which contain zinc and iron, doesn’t only influence nails but also improves the state of skin and hair. Basically, you should look for food products containing vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3 and B9 as well as zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. This set of nutrients can be found in sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds – no matter if shelled or fresh. You can add them to corn/oat flakes, roast on a frying pan or eat as a snack. I’d also like to recommend you eating sesame, poppy and dried fruit – best if unsulphured. When it comes to B-group vitamins, you can find them in cereals, eggs and grain legumes. Magnesium and iron – in cocoa. Additionally, try to eat lean meat, fish and drink at least 1,5 liter of water daily. Once you follow this diet, you can take your nail condition improvement for granted. The effect should be visible within a month.
Manicure for pretty nails
If you don’t want to expose your nails to splitting and getting brittle, you should follow a few rules:
- don’t keep the nails in water for long
- file the nails in one direction only
- use either a glass of paper nail file
- apply a conditioner prior to applying a nail polish (even if you don’t paint your nails, it’s better to apply a nail conditioner or other regenerating product once a week)
Cosmetics for pretty nails
Balanced diet helps you moisturize and lubricate nails from the inside, as cosmetics do this from the outside. What cosmetics? Natural oils and moisturizing creams, best if sold in small tubes so you can always carry them around.
Protective gloves for pretty nails
As everybody knows this, gloves protect our hands and fingernails from the adverse effects produced by the external factors – latex gloves shield our hands from detergents, whereas winter gloves protect us from freezing weather. For that reason, don’t do any housework without wearing gloves. Neither do the washing up nor clean the windows when your hands are unprotected. Also, when you see that the temperature outside is going down, reach for warm gloves immediately.
How to deal with hangnails and cuticles?
Nails aren’t the only determinants influencing the look of your hands. Cuticles and hangnails have an immense impact on your hands as well. How to deal with the cuticles and hangnails? When dry and lifted, you better ask a professional manicurist to handle them. I try to do it on my own. Additionally, every day after the shower I rub a corner of a towel against nail plate to minimize the appearance of cuticles. What’s more, every two or three days I moisturize nail plates and the skin around it to prevent dehydration. In most cases I use raspberry seed oil for that.
What are your methods of handling brittle nails and hangnails? Leave a comment below.
