Can I Use Cuticle Oil While Having Dip Nails

How to Prevent Your Nails From Breaking, In one case and for All

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BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

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Having dry, breakable nails that intermission or tear isn't just annoying—it tin can be downright painful. If yous discover yourself suffering from nail breakage, there are a scattering of lifestyle changes that tin help your nails get back to healthy, smooth, and strong.

We reached out to a dietitian, a dermatologist, and, of course, a licensed nail artist to fill united states of america in on how to prevent your nails from breaking, once and for all. From exactly how to eternalize your diet to which environmental factors may exist wreaking havoc on your digits, these experts tackle nail health from every bending. They weigh in on the bad habits to break, the biotin myths to beware of, and your best bets for achieving the nails you lot've ever wanted.

Keep reading for all the skillful-approved tips to acquire how to go along your nails from breaking.

Emily Roberts/Byrdie

01 of 12

Remember Yous Are What You Eat

Like so much of our outward advent—from how clear our skin is to how shiny our pilus is—our smash wellness begins with the nutrients nosotros put in our trunk. "Eating a well-balanced diet likewise as increasing your biotin intake is your best bet for helping to strengthen your nails," explains registered dietitian Melissa Bailey, MS, RD, LDD of The Nourished Fork. "Biotin is a B vitamin found in a multifariousness of foods."

Bailey notes the highest amounts of biotin are found in animal proteins, like eggs, chicken, and salmon. Yet, you can besides consume biotin in found-based foods including nuts, seeds, spinach, and sweet potatoes. "For comparison, an egg yolk contains approximately x micrograms of biotin while a serving of spinach has vii micrograms," says Bailey. "I ever recommend getting any vitamin and mineral naturally from your diet, equally your body absorbs them better from diet than in a supplement grade."

02 of 12

When Necessary, Take a Multivitamin

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While biotin supplements are a buzzy product in the beauty infinite, they're no longer seen by experts as the all-time option. "Although dermatologists used to recommend biotin as an over-the-counter treatment to help strengthen nails, a 2017 FDA alarm highlighted that biotin can interfere with lab tests—so nosotros no longer encourage routine biotin supplementation," explains board-certified dermatologist Peter Hashim, MD, MHS, who recommends focusing more on a counterbalanced diet.

However, if y'all have a biotin deficiency, New York board-certified podiatrist Adam Cirlincione, Physician, says taking biotin tin aid strengthen and nourish nails. "Deficiencies in biotin can have an effect on hair, nails, and skin, which may be why many people increase their biotin intake to support healthy nails," he says. "Symptoms of biotin deficiency tin include hair loss, dry scaly skin, rash around the oral cavity, optics, and nose, and brittle fingernails. Biotin has been proven to help strengthen brittle nails, which in turn can help them grow."

Bailey recommends prioritizing real, vitamin-rich foods to go your nutrients. "Your best bet is a healthy diet, and if yous still experience like you need an extra heave, a daily multivitamin should be all you lot need to get the correct amount of biotin for strong nails," she says. "Because biotin is water-soluble, meaning your body excretes what you don't need, higher levels are typically okay to consume," she assures. "Yet, that does non mean you should go out and take massive doses of biotin as your torso can't use it all."

03 of 12

Use a Strengthening Base Coat

Côte Nail Strengthener Base of operations and Top Coat $21.00

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Information technology may seem counterintuitive, but nail smoothen can actually be beneficial to weak nails and even help foreclose them from breaking—as long every bit it's the correct formula. "Using a base coat with your polish tin add an extra layer of protection, but unless you lot're using a strengthening base coat, it'south more than for the adherence of the smoothen versus improving smash wellness," notes blast artist and technician Sarah Thompson of Chalkboard Nails. Ane keen option is côte Nail Strengthener Base of operations and Tiptop Coat ($21) to strengthen weak, thin, or splitting nails.

Another cracking choice is the Tenoverten The Foundation Base Coat from Violet Grayness ($xviii). It's a more natural manner to strengthen your nails as it is an "8-Free" formula, which ways without the elevation eight chemicals, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde, that are in many boom polish formulas. For a budget-friendly option to strengthen your nails, bank check out Emerge Hansen Mega Strength Hardener ($8).

04 of 12

Resist the Urge to Selection or Peel

Just as you're non supposed to pick at your face when you have a breakout, it'southward best if you go out your fingers lonely when your nails are breaking or your polish is peeling. "Endeavour to keep a keratin-based strengthener or serum handy and utilize it whenever you notice damage," suggests Thompson. "Supplant the picking addiction with self-care."

If you have gel or dip nails, avoid picking, peeling, or pulling the bogus blast off. This is not only potentially painful just tin can damage your nails. To safely remove them, you must soak them in an acetone solution. The acetone solution can dry out your nails, just information technology won't impairment your nails as much as pulling off the gel or dip nails. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that soak-off gel nails will actually cause less peeling and brittleness to your natural nails than acrylic nails, even so. You lot can also consider getting bogus nails only for special occasions to let your nails recover in between.

05 of 12

Use Acetone-Free Blast Polish Remover

Ella + Mila Soy Blast Smoothen Remover $12.00

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In that location was a time when acetone was pretty much the only option to remove polish—and it's certainly effective. However, it does come with drawbacks certainly non limited to that pungent smell nosotros've become so acquainted with, like drying out nails. Luckily, acetone-free boom smooth removers are popping up everywhere, some even with added benefits similar nourishing and strengthening properties. One keen selection is Ella + Mila Soy Nail Polish Remover ($12) to safely remove polish and nourish the nails. The Londontown kur Strengthening Lacquer Remover ($12) is some other acetone-free option that promises to both strengthen and rehydrate nails.

If you have gel nails or dip nails, however, exist enlightened that acetone-gratuitous nail polish won't remove them. Just pure acetone is strong plenty to dissolve the bogus layer. If you take bogus nails and soak them off using pure acetone, make sure yous use an oil or other hydrating lotion afterward to prevent them from getting breakable and breaking.

06 of 12

Avert Acrylics

Static Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicure in Ballerina Round $16.00

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According to the American Academy of Dermatology Clan (AAD), the process of getting acrylic nails can be seriously damaging to your natural nails. The combination of filing the nail's surface until it'due south rough, harsh chemicals in the products, exposure to a curing low-cal, and soaking in acetone for removal tin lead to damaged nails. If simulated nails are your jam, try a gentler alternative similar a non-damaging press-on nail. We recommend Static Nails Ballerina Round pop-on nails ($16) as an alternative to acrylics because the glue is non-damaging and they exercise non require acetone to remove.

Y'all can also expect for long-wearing smash shine formulas. Olive & June ($8) is a long-lasting nail polish that is "7-free," which means it doesn't contain many of the harsh chemicals that some smash polishes incorporate. Pair it with a pinnacle coat for a glossy sheen that also helps forestall chips for an even longer amount of time.

07 of 12

Use a Nail Strengthener

Dr.'s Remedy HYDRATION Clear Moisturizing Nail Handling with Pentavitin $eighteen.00

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"Smash strengtheners can be a nifty option for those with sparse and brittle nails," explains Thompson. "In that location are unlike formulas available to target specific problems you may be experiencing." Still, it's best to approach nail health holistically and not rely solely on products to correct the damage. "Keep in listen it's always good to employ them in conjunction with meliorate moisturizing habits to create healthy smash growth," says Thompson.

Cirlincione suggests hydrating and strengthening nails with the Dr.'s Remedy hydration treatment, "which is infused with Pentavitin and biotin to help moisturize and strengthen nails." Biotin, as we've established, is essential to salubrious nails, while Pentavitin is actually a found-derived bioactive skincare ingredient meant to boost hydration.

Looking for an all-natural nail strengthener? Endeavour rubbing kokosnoot oil on your cuticles and nails. Coconut oil can assist treat cracked and breakable nails and information technology is also a natural anti-inflammatory—which is not bad if your cuticles are irritated or inflamed.

08 of 12

Keep Your Nails Moisturized

L'Occitane Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil $twenty.00

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"The number one thing you can practise to avoid breakage is to keep your easily and nails well moisturized," insists Thompson. "Well-moisturized blast beds abound healthier nails that bend and flex instead of breaking." Thompson besides notes not but do moisturized hands promote healthy nail growth, merely they brand hands and nails feel and look better, as well. "Regular balm application tin assistance preclude signs of aging in easily too," Thompson adds.

To keep easily and nails moisturized, Thompson says cuticle oil, cuticle foam, and mitt balm are all great options. "Cuticle oil is 1 of the best things you can use on your nails," assures Thompson. "Not only does it promote flexibility, but if you are wearing polish or gel, it can prolong your manicure." She advises applying it as often as yous want, aiming for at to the lowest degree once a day.

09 of 12

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

"Environmental exposures are too important to consider, equally frequent contact with cleaning detergents or even overly aggressive manicures can damage nails," warns Hashim. Nails exposed to household cleansers may become damaged, especially if you're using chemicals like acetone or bleach. The aforementioned goes for harsh antibacterial kitchen soap that you might be using to clean your dishes. Cirlincione adds that even prolonged water exposure should be avoided to maintain good for you nails.

You lot may as well desire to steer clear of some potentially harsh ingredients in boom polishes. Look for polishes that are "5-complimentary," which ways they do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. Some nail polishes have removed other ingredients as well and will marketplace their products equally "9-free," for example. Harvard Health reports that chemicals in nail smoothen can exist absorbed into the trunk, withal, more studies demand to exist done to determine if they result in negative health furnishings. Regardless, it is always a skilful idea to have a more natural approach and steer clear of the more harsh ingredients when you can.

Make certain to protect your hands and nails past wearing gloves when using harsh chemical cleaners.

10 of 12

Remove Your Gel Shine the Right Fashion

Glosslab Gel Eraser Kit $30.00

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As touched on previously, resist the urge to pull or pick at your gel or dip nails. It tin can not only exist painful and potentially damage your nail bed, merely it results in breakable and croaky nails. "Don't pare your gels off," warns Thompson. "Retrieve the gel is e'er going to be stronger than the superlative layer of your nails, and so when you pare your gel it will take some of your nail off with it." Thompson explains when properly applied and removed, gel polish shouldn't damage your nails. "If you experience like your nails are weakened, there's nothing wrong with taking a few weeks off to rehab and moisturize your nails."

Even though acetone is what is often used to quickly remove gel nails, information technology is harsh and tin dry out nails. Effort this non-damaging, gel eraser kit from Glosslab ($30) to safely remove gel nail shine (Glosslab's gel remover polish is currently sold out, but we like OPI'southward Gel Removal Kit, $6, too. After y'all have removed the gel, moisturize your cuticles and nails with a soothing lotion.

xi of 12

Go along it Short (And Rounded)

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Keeping your nails shorter can keep them from snagging and ultimately tearing, just fifty-fifty the shape of your nails can reduce your chances of damage. "If you've ever had square nails, you've probably experienced a broken corner or a tear on the side of your blast," says Thompson. "Circular nails experience these bug much less oftentimes."

Don't cut them and so brusk that they are painful. Keep a little length then you tin can shape them into an oval or rounded shape. Besides, when filing your nails brand sure you lot file from one direction only. Don't file back and along in a sawing motion, equally this tin cause your nails to pause. File in a tedious and controlled movement equally you shape your nails in the desired shape.

Short nails don't have to exist boring, either. Accept fun with adventurous colors or designs. Y'all tin can also effort boom stickers if you are feeling festive.

12 of 12

If Problems Persist, Get an In-Person Medical Evaluation

If you've adhered to the advice higher up and are notwithstanding suffering from weak and brittle nails, it may be fourth dimension to become a medical evaluation. "Nails can exist affected by a multifariousness of dermatologic conditions, including psoriasis and nail fungus," warns Hashim. When information technology comes to caring for your nail health, he advises "the all-time arroyo is a counterbalanced diet, gentle boom care, and seeking an in-person evaluation if y'all are concerned about whatsoever nail diseases."

The American Osteopathic Higher of Dermatology (AOCD) says that dry, brittle nails are rarely caused by vitamin deficiencies or other serious medical atmospheric condition. One manner to help determine if nail problems are a systemic trouble or from other reasons, such as using harsh nail polishes, is to compare your toenails and fingernails. If your toenails are strong and salubrious and your fingernails are breaking, then it could be from using harsh nail products or another external reason.

If both toenails and fingernails are brittle and breaking, information technology could be an internal event. If it is a vitamin deficiency, depression iron is often the cause and your doctor can test you for this and provide the right supplements. Other medical conditions that can cause brittle nails include Raynaud's syndrome or hypothyroidism.

FAQ

What vitamin are you lacking if you take brittle nails?

Breakable nails are usually the result of external factors, such as using drying smash products, all the same, they can sometimes be acquired past low iron. This can crusade brittle or spoon-shaped nails. Your doctor tin exam you and prescribe supplements, as well as recommend diet changes such equally increasing iron-rich foods similar spinach, meats, and beans.
Can an injury cause a nail to divide or intermission?

If you have had a trauma to your nail, such every bit closing it into a door (ouch!), it can damage the smash bed. If this happens, it tin event in nails that pull away from the nail bed, split or get thickened and discolored.
Should you have your cuticles trimmed when yous get a manicure?

The AAD says you should skip the cuticle trimming. Cuticles help protect your nails from infection, and that protection is gone when they are cut. Instead, try gently pushing back your cuticles with a wooden stick.

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