How to Keep Nails From Breaking

Biting your nails can damage the nail bed.

Nail care is important when you're trying to grow out your fingernails, maintain length or have just gotten a fabulous manicure. Breaking your nails is always a risk in everyday life. Give your nails some extra assistance to keep them strong and healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Protective gloves
• Nail polish
• Polish remover without acetone
• Moisturizer

Instructions

1. Don't use your fingernails as tools. Picking, opening and scraping with them encourage nail tips to break and peel.

2. Wear gloves when cleaning or gardening. Many household chemicals are harsh on your nails, and any rough activity exposes nails to breakage.

3. Don't bite your nails, and don't peel off old nail polish. You nails will weaken and become brittle, which increases the chances for them to break.

4. Apply a coat of nail polish, colored or clear. Ordinary polish can help retain moisture in the nails, and there are even types of nail polish formulated to strengthen your nails. Don't pick at the polish, and remove old polish and apply a fresh coat after a week. Avoid polish removers with acetone, which dries out the nails.

5. Moisturize your hands twice a day, rubbing lotion into your nails and cuticles. Nails need moisturizer just as your skin does. Reapply after washing your hands and removing nail polish.

6. Maintain a healthy diet. Get plenty of protein, and eat whole grains and leafy greens for iron. Milk and eggs provide zinc as well as protein. Taking biotin, a B-complex vitamin, in supplement form can benefit your hair as well as your nails.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use nail-hardening products, avoid those containing toluene sulfonamide or formaldehyde, which can irritate the skin.

• Nails that don't respond to treatment or occur in conjunction with other symptoms could indicate a medical problem. See your doctor if you're concerned about weak nails, ridges and spots, yellowing or other nail problems.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Nails -- How to Keep Your Fingernails Healthy and Strong
• Real Simple: How Can I Strengthen My Brittle Nails?
• CareFair.com: The Best Diet Choices for Strong, Healthy Nails