Nails, like hair, reflect our state of health. Having beautiful nails often refers to a manicure, but it's not just that; it means having naturally shiny, strong, and white nails.
A change in their appearance such as discoloration, thickening or breakage can be a suggestive sign of health problems (liver or kidney disease, heart or lung problems, anemia, diabetes…).
Soft, brittle, ridged, split, or fragile, taking care of your nails isn't always easy. Like hair, they are made up of layers of keratin that weaken when exposed to external aggressors. Water, nutritional deficiencies, chemicals, fatigue, and stress can all affect nail growth and leave them in poor condition.
To remedy this, a few tips should be applied to strengthen and regain long and strong nails.
Avoid some everyday habits that weaken nails
Avoid certain bad daily habits to have beautiful, natural nails.
First, many people bite their nails due to stress, boredom, or intense concentration. Bitten nails are more prone to infection, leading to the growth of germs, fungi, paronychia, or athlete's foot. Furthermore, it can also damage tooth enamel. To break this habit, there are tricks such as applying bitter-tasting nail polish, chewing gum to keep your mouth occupied, or cutting your nails very short.
Filing your nails is a common way to strengthen them and give them a nice shape. However, you must file your nails in the same direction, as a back-and-forth motion can cause unevenness.
Soaking your hands in water that is too hot too often can make your nails soft and brittle. Moisturizing your hands with a cream, free of harsh or chemical ingredients, is helpful for protecting and preserving them.
Nails can become covered in dry, difficult-to-remove cuticles; it's crucial not to cut them, as they serve a protective function for the nails. The best approach is to moisturize them once a week with appropriate products.
Nail polish is very fashionable and a great way to enhance the look of your hands. However, it's important to avoid applying it too often, as it can damage and yellow nails and may contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. There are clear protective base coats that can be applied before your nail polish to protect your nails.
Today, some cosmetic brands committed to organic and natural products have launched nail polishes that are less harmful and more respectful of health.
Finally, any cosmetic product for beauty (hair, skin, nails) with a chemical composition can damage the hands, and consequently, the nails. Ideally, you should review your entire beauty routine, abandoning all toxic products and replacing them with healthier ones. The free Cleanbeauty app, which can be downloaded to your smartphone, allows you to scan the barcodes of beauty products and identify those that are good or bad for your health.
Use natural treatments to strengthen your nails
There are easy-to-make homemade recipes accessible to everyone to nourish damaged nails , or simply to maintain them.
For example, soaking your nails in olive oil and/or white vinegar for a few minutes can strengthen their structure. You can add a few drops of lemon juice to this mixture, as it has brightening and whitening properties.
Castor oil and sweet almond oil are also known to repair broken nails, moisturize them and prevent splitting.
Adopting a healthy and balanced diet to strengthen your nails
Eating a daily diet rich in nutrients is essential for healthy nails. It's important to eat foods rich in fatty acids, vitamins B and E, minerals (iron, calcium, zinc, etc.) and protein, such as legumes, eggs, lean meats, oily fish, seafood, and whole grains.
Tobacco should be absolutely avoided as it affects blood circulation and reduces the volume of biotin (B8) in the blood, a vitamin necessary for healthy nails.
Drinking water, between 1.5 and 2 liters per day, is also essential for healthy nails. It's best to choose water rich in calcium and silicon, and avoid sodas which contain demineralizing phosphoric acid.
Take dietary supplements to nourish your nails
Taking dietary supplements can help compensate for a diet that sometimes doesn't provide enough vitamins and minerals for the body. These are essential for the formation of keratin, which is necessary for both hair and nails.
These products should be used as part of a healthy lifestyle. In case of severely damaged nails (deformities, dystrophies, severe discoloration, etc.), you should see a doctor who will prescribe appropriate treatment.