It's true—life does feel slightly more sorted when you have a fun little mani on, not to mention the instant hit of dopamine you get every time you look down at your hands. From your best friend’s birthday party to a big presentation the next day, all reasons are fair game when it comes to getting your nails done. Frequent (or constant) manicures, however, can wreak havoc on your nail health in the long run. Gel nail paints and acrylics especially tend to dry out your nails, making them dry, brittle and fragile, which makes it even more important to be proactive with nail care to keep them in their optimum health. Below, find our top nail care tips to follow.
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Don’t pick!
Once your gel or acrylic nails start chipping, you may be tempted to pick at them or peel them off, but avoid this at all costs. This is probably one of the worst things you can do for your nail health because you’re also pulling off the top layer of the nail along with the polish. The long-term effects of this can be even worse—it can thin your nails, harm the nail bed and cause irregularities in the nail plate. Always book an appointment with your manicurist to have your gel or acrylic nails removed or soak them in acetone properly to remove regular polish.
Take a break
While there’s no scientific study to support the fact that giving your nails a break from polish can improve their health, there’s enough anecdotal evidence that would suggest the same. Once your mani has chipped or grown out, ensure that you’re getting it removed properly and allow a break period. Opt for an au naturel look for at least a few days and you should see a visible improvement in the strength and hydration levels of your nails.
Hydration is key
Like your hair and skin, your nails also need hydration—especially if they’ve been damaged due to prolonged use of gel and acrylics. Once the polish is off, moisturisation is key, and cuticle oil is your BFF. Slather it generously not only on the nail itself, but pay special attention to the nail cuticle. This is where the nail is new, so nourishing this area is important to ensure healthy growth of nails.
Go shorter
You may not realise this, but longer nails are more prone to damage. Think of all the impact they receive in a day from keyboards, doors and more. Going shorter, just like your hair, can be a protective measure and give your nails some room to heal and repair.
Consider your diet
It's no secret that your nutritional intake plays a huge role in your hair, skin and nail health. Foods rich in protein, iron and calcium are a great way to boost your nail health from the inside. Proteins are the building blocks of nails, so ensure that your diet contains meat, eggs or legumes to deliver enough nutrients to your nails. Vitamin A and C found in carrots, oranges and sweet potatoes are also helpful in keeping your nails shiny and strong. Supplements designed especially for nail health can also aid in repairing damage and keeping your nails healthy.
Tira Recommends:
Power Gummies Hair & Nail Vitamins with Biotin - 60 Gummies
L'Occitane Shea Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil
Basicare Blk Rub Curved Nail Scissor
Lakme Liquid Nail Polish Remover With Vitamin E
Mintree Certified Organic Nail Strengthening Serum Strengthen Nails, Prevents Breakage
Cover Image: Instagram/@moskvichka_nails
