How to strengthen your nails in daily life?

Hard, smooth, and shiny nails are what everyone wants, but sometimes the reality is less glamorous. Splitting, cracked edges, a feeling of brittleness… it’s impossible to maintain a flawless manicure for more than a few days. Come on, let’s not lose hope, brittle nails aren’t inevitable. A good manicure routine and a few simple steps are all it takes to strengthen their structure and restore a strong and resilient nail plate. We’ll help you understand the causes of this brittleness and adopt the best solutions.

Why do we have soft nails?

Nails are made up of 90% keratin, a fibrous protein that gives them hardness and elasticity. When this keratin becomes brittle, the plate becomes thinner, less resistant, and more easily susceptible to daily stresses.

Recognizing a brittle nail

Brittle nails can be a symptom of a dysfunction of the nail matrix. They are often the result of poorer quality keratin, slow nail growth, and/or an alteration of the intercellular cement that binds the keratin layers together. The consequences are easily visible and manifest in different ways:

• Nails that bend and turn easily: they lose their rigidity when you press on them, especially at the tips.
• Nails that split: the nail plate separates into thin layers.
• Ridges that form on the nail surface: these visible lines indicate irregular renewal.
• Cracked and chipped edges: the edge of the nail gives way at the slightest impact.
• Nail polish chips easily: the polish has difficulty sticking because the surface is too uneven.

Possible Causes

Several factors can explain this loss of strength:

• Exposure to water: dishes, cleaning, hot baths, etc. Water seeps into the nail, swells it, and then dries it out, causing cracks and breaks.
• Overly frequent or poorly adapted manicures: aggressive filing, removing semi-permanent nail polish, using acetone nail polish remover… these manicure practices damage the nail and weaken it over time.
• Mechanical and chemical stress: nails used as cooking utensils, DIY or gardening tools, nails bitten or exposed to harsh chemicals. These are all situations to avoid as much as possible to avoid permanently weakening your nails.
• A deficiency in essential nutrients: vitamins (especially B vitamins and vitamin B8 or biotin in particular), minerals (sulfur, zinc, iron, silicon), and essential amino acids are essential for keratin production and the keratinization process. If your diet doesn’t provide these nutrients, your nails will suffer the effects.

The sooner you spot these signs of weakness (soft, ridged, splitting nails) and implement a proper routine to limit damage and repair them thoroughly, the more likely you are to regain strong, vibrant nails. Besides, incorporate a professional manicure set into your daily nail care routine to provide your nails with exquisite care.

Daily: Pamper your nails with a balanced diet

A beautiful nail plate isn’t just built on the outside: it’s also prepared from the inside out. According to this principle, we rely on the right nutrients to support keratinization:

• Biotin (vitamin B8): The engine of keratin, it is essential for producing the structuring protein in nails. It is found in eggs, dairy products, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, and nuts (almonds).
• Vitamin C: This mineral is renowned for its antioxidant properties and its role in collagen synthesis. It is absorbed by eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Sulfur: This mineral is an essential component of keratin. To avoid sulfur deficiency, it is recommended to eat meat, fish, and seafood, as well as sulfur-rich vegetables such as cabbage, leeks, and onions.
• Magnesium, iron, and zinc: These minerals are also essential for regular nail growth. They are found in legumes, green vegetables, meats, nuts, and dried fruits.

In short, a varied and balanced diet will ensure you get the nutrients you need to ultimately achieve beautiful, strong nails and stunning manicures.

One thing’s for sure: having strong, shiny nails takes work, and it starts well before your manicure! With expert care, a tailored routine, and proper nutrition, your nails will regain strength and natural shine, ready for new manicure adventures.

Read also: Everything you need to know about green nails and green spots: causes and treatments