Honey helps fight bacterial and fungal growth, and can help keep your nails and cuticles nourished and supple.
Use moisturizer. When you use hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too. Apply a protective layer. Applying a nail hardener might help strengthen nails.
Protein. Nails are primarily made of a fibrous structural protein called keratin. This is what gives nails their strength and resilience. It also protects your nails from damage or stress (12, 13 ).
Several things can cause very thickened nails. They can be caused by injuries or pressure from shoes. Fungal infections are a common cause. Diabetes, psoriasis, or vascular disease are other possible causes.
Soft or weak
Soft nails might be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals — think detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish remover. Weak nails might also be associated with a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids. The fix: Avoid having chemicals around your nails.
Take biotin
Several human studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails. Some scientists say a dose of 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily can improve nail strength in just a few weeks. Biotin can be found naturally in: brewer's yeast.
People can naturally strengthen nails with adequate hydration, a proper diet, and possible use of biotin supplements. People can also prevent weak nails by avoiding exposure to chemicals, including nail polishes and polish removers, and over exposure to water.
Fingernails may become weak or brittle due to harsh conditions. For example, regular use of nail polish remover that contains acetone can wear nails down over time. Repeated exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures also can be hard on your nails.
Vaseline can help you to get strong nails, and is a great way to keep your nails healthy, if you apply it regularly to your nails. The reason for this is that Vaseline helps to seal in moisture, preventing the nails from becoming dry and damaged.
Everything from aging to poor nutrition can make your nails dry, thin, and easy to break. There are also some treatments and medical conditions that can make them brittle. But you don't have to put up with the problem. The right care can make all the difference in keeping your nails healthy and strong.
Small or missing lunulae usually aren't cause for concern. They're usually just hidden underneath the cuticle or skin at the base of your finger. In some cases, missing lunulae may be a result of trauma or a sign of: anemia.
Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat. Spoon nails can also be associated with heart disease and hypothyroidism.
This helps them know the best practices with the products they are using. As you can tell by now, it's not possible to create naturally thicker nails. The good news is that polish can add temporary thickness and strength.
The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up. The process of nail cells piling up is referred to as onychocytes. Another reason why fingernails don't thicken as much is their growth rate is smaller than the growth rate of toenails.
Ingredients to look for
Cuticle oils are made of so many nourishing ingredients and have loads of benefits to help strengthen nails. Boyce says to look for ones with plant oils like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and argan oil, as those contain a lot of antioxidants and fatty acids that protect and nourish dry skin.
Dry and brittle nails are the result of too little moisture. They're most commonly caused by the repeated washing and drying of fingernails. On the other hand, soft and brittle nails are caused by too much moisture, often a result of overexposure to detergents, household cleaners, and nail polish remover.
Nails don't need surface access to air because they get oxygen and nutrients from your blood. Keeping nails hydrated is important if yours are prone to breakage, and a pause in polishing to moisturize would help.
Biotin helps your body convert certain nutrients into energy and plays a vital role in your hair, skin, and nails. A biotin deficiency can cause brittle nails and hair loss. The other ingredients in this supplement include: Vitamin C: Aids in collagen production and helps protect nails from damage.
The low-down: If you break a nail, apply a base coat across the break, then soak up any excess with a small square of dry teabag. It will fuse the nail together. Then apply colour and finish with a strengthening top coat.
If your nails keep splitting, you might be low on iron, biotin, collagen and vitamins A and C. These nutrients build up nail strength and keep nail growth at a normal level.