-
Step 1
Start by eating healthy foods.
There is no "magic food" that strengthens nails, but a healthy, well balanced diet will help your overall health, which in turn will help your nails. Neither extra protein nor extra calcium will strengthen your nails noticeably.
(According to Dr. Nia Terezakis, it helps to take a daily supplement containing the vitamin biotin. I haven't tried it, so I don't know.) -
Step 2
Don't smoke!
Yellow nails. Ick. 'nuff said.
Oh, okay, I'll say more. Tobacco narrows the blood capillaries to all parts of your body, including your nails - making them less healthy.
What better way to annoy your parents? -
Step 3
Slather lotion on your nails every day.
The really thick stuff that promises to make your skin soft and smooth works well. Poke your nails into it, and work it underneath. Wear gloves to bed if you wish.
Be sure to apply moisturizer when you get out of the shower, when you finish doing the dishes, and after removing fingernail polish. -
Step 4
Don't use your nails as tools.
That should be obvious, but sometimes it's tempting when you've got a soda can in your hand, and all you have to open it is - well - your nails. Instead, find something strong to slide under it.
Be careful when putting your hands into your purse, lifting heavy objects, or typing. Jamming the ends causes them to split and peel. -
Step 5
Use nail polish for special occasions.
The chemicals in polish and polish remover can wreak havoc on your nails. Polish turns your nails an ugly yellow, which must be covered up or grown out. Starting with a clear polish base can help, but I like to make it simple; I keep my nails short and plain most of the time.
Polish remover (especially with acetone) is very hard on your nails. Avoid it if you can. Touch up your nail polish instead. -
Step 6
Keep your nails clean. Avoid germs that can get under your cuticles. Wash your hands with soap; a good practice anyway.
-
Step 7
Don't bite your nails or pick at your cuticles.
If this is a nervous habit, it's easier said than done, right?
I've heard that chewing gum or putting something foul-tasting on your nails can help, as can wearing gloves. Keep in mind that nail chewing is not only ugly, it's also unhealthy. Chewed nails can develop infections, tooth enamel wears down, and... do you want to put that in your mouth? You don't know where it's been! -
Step 8
Nail hardeners don't really harden your nails. They just go over the top. If you want to apply a nail hardener anyway, avoid products containing toluene sulfonamide or formaldehyde.
-
Step 9
If a nail does break, apply glue, (found in the nail section of drugstores) or nail tape.
Better yet, shorten all your nails and wait for them to grow back. -
Step 10
File your nails in one direction, toward the center. Don't "saw" at them.
I've heard that you shouldn't clip your nails, but I do. First I soften my nails with thick lotion. (I throw out clippers that don't work right. If they don't close properly, they'll tear your nails.)
Comments
chrisanimelo444 said
on 7/19/2009 Great article, though I'm not sure about the nail tape bit. However, very informative!
Another suggestion to try is to increase the blood flow to your matrix, which is the nail root. You can do this by typing or playing the piano.
For more information on how to grow long healthy nails, visit http://www.saladsticks.com/2009/07/how-to-grow-long-healthy-nails.html
Marilynda said
on 7/2/2009 Good article on growing healthy long nails. I've been trying to get mine to grow without breaking for awhile. Will try your suggestions 5*