14 Easy Tips to Get Strong and Healthy Nails

As you know, our nails are a true mirror of our overall health. Long and beautiful nails can be seen as feminine and beautiful, but they need to be strong as well. Hands and nails come in contact with soaps and detergents daily, when we do our daily chores. These play havoc, not only on the skin, but also the nails, making them rough, dry and brittle, causing them to chip and break easily.

Some common causes of weak and brittle nails include health problems, nutritional deficiency, nail infection, detergents and over exposure to water. In order to get stronger nails naturally, you need to make a good nail care regimen. Here are some tips and remedies on how to get stronger nails naturally.

Tips for Strong and Healthy Nails

  • Massage cream on the hands and nails daily, especially after using detergents and soaps. Put cream on each nail and massage the nail and the skin surrounding it, using circular strokes with your thumb. Daily massage is even more important during the dry season, to prevent brittleness and to restore the health of your nails.
  • Keep your fingernails clean and dry. This will prevent fungi and bacteria from growing under the nail bed. It is most important tip for fingernails care.
  • Drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juices. It will help keep your body, and in turn your nails, well hydrated.
  • Avoid water exposure as much as possible. You can use rubber gloves to protect your nails from water and other harsh chemicals.
  • Avoid biting your nails or pulling off hangnails. This can weak the nail surface and rip nail tissue.
  • If you want to keep your nails strong and shiny, resort to nail buffing. It augments the blood supply to the nail, in turn stimulating its growth.
  • While filing your nails, make sure to go in one direction only. Do not move the filer in a back-and-forth motion, as it makes your nails brittle.
  • Wear rubber gloves when washing, scrubbing floors, gardening, cleaning the bathroom and other activities that may expose your hands and nails to aggressive physical activity, harsh chemicals and too much water.
  • Add a glass of milk and a hard-boiled egg to your daily diet. Rich in zinc, they’ll do wonders for your nails, especially if your nails are spotted with white, a sign of low zinc intake.
  • Soak your hands in a 1/2 cup of olive oil. Moisturized nails are stronger, less brittle nails. Pour the olive oil into a dish and insert your hands. Your hands will be softer, and your nails will be filled with moisture in 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Make a mixture by combining honey and lemon juice. Apply it on a regular basis to get rid of brittle nails problem.
  • Polish your nails, even if it’s just with a clear coat. It protects your nails, says manicurist Diaconescu. If you prefer color, use a base coat, two thin coats of color, and a top coat. Color should last at least seven days but should be removed after 10 days.
  • A healthy diet promotes a healthy body and of course, healthy nails. Eat food groups packed with Vitamin D, Calcium and Zinc such as fruits, vegetables, egg as well as milk if you want strong and healthy nails. Take vitamin B biotin supplements to further strengthen nails.
  • Deficiency of vitamin B 12 can lead to dryness, rounded and curved ends and darkening of nails. So, make sure to include enough of the best vitamins in your diet.

More importantly, nails are windows to your health. When you have brittle and cracked nails, it is most likely that you are suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Ignore your nails and you could end up with more serious conditions such as ingrown nails and fungal infections that may require medical attention.