Can anyone give me advice on strengthening my fingernails?

Question

My nails tend to be quite weak (bendy) and will begin to peel (rather than actually break) after a while. Also, my thumb and index fingernails have ridges that run across the nail and I'm not sure what has caused these. I am pretty good about using lots of hand cream and using my nail file correctly. Can anyone suggest what might cause the flaking and the ridges and any ideas of how to improve the condition of my nails?

Answer 1

One of the natural enemies of fingernails is water. Water softens up the fingernails and makes them prime target for disaster. Couple water with a vigorous activity such as cleaning, scrubbing, scraping, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. and you may as well kiss your nails goodbye. When you clean, wear rubber gloves no matter what. Even if your task will only take a minute or two, don those gloves. Rubber gloves keep your nails dry and they also protect them from activities that normally cause nail breakage, like taking wet laundry from the washing machine.



At night, you can condition your nails while you sleep. Get some white cotton gloves and before you go to bed, slather on a generous amount of hand cream and put the gloves on over it. This well help condition your nails to make them more flexible and as an added bonus, your hands will be baby soft!


What you put inside your body can be just as important as what you do to the outside of it. If you want to have good strong nails, you have to be sure you are getting good nutrition. Calcium is a necessary nutrient for strong fingernails and you need plenty of vitamin D to help your body absorb it. When women are pregnant the often find their nails growing better than ever before, this is because of the body’s increased ability to absorb nutrients during this time.


Finally, never bite your nails and do not use them as tools. Nails can be great for picking off stickers, etc. but if you use them like letter openers they are going to disappear faster than you can grow them.

Answer 2

It isn't anything abnormal for there to be slight striations or ridges on your nails. however, as for the nails being bendy, there are things you can do to strenghten nails. First of all, it's great that you moisturize regularly. This improves the quality of your nails. You should also consider painting them with just a clear coat of nail polish, as this will make them harder and less bendable. Sally Hanson has a great line of nail strenghtening products. One suggestion I would strongly recommend you try is taking a multivitamin regularly. Ever since I started taking vitamins on a regular, routine basis, my nails grow rapidly and are strong and healthy. They never break, and they don't bend.

Try those things, and I hope it helps.

Answer 3

I found this info on the web which may help you.




Calcium
Many people believe that calcium deficiency is responsible for white spots on the nails. This is a myth. However, a good calcium intake is important for strong nails.
Any three of the following are recommended to meet your daily calcium needs:

One glass milk (200mls)
One pot of yoghurt (125g)
28g/1 oz cheese.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed for strong, healthy nails. Breakfast cereals and milk with added vitamin D are very good sources of vitamin D but the best source is sunlight so get outside!

Minerals
Other minerals such as manganese and selenium are important too. Wholegrains, nuts and seeds are good sources of selenium and manganese.




Will a vitamin supplement help strengthen my nails?

While certain foods may help your nails, vitamin and mineral supplements advertised specifically for strong nails are not recommended. Some of these products contain either excessive quantities of calcium or other ingredients such as horse hair! However, hand and nail creams in addition to diet are worth a try.




Are brittle nails caused by deficiencies in my diet?

Nails that are prone to splitting or breaking are likely to be infected with a fungus. There is very effective medication available to treat this common nail condition. Another possible cause is excessive use of detergent or other household cleaning agent, which can be very harsh on nails.

Answer 4

Try taking Silica as a herbal supplement, they have it from several sources in Nutri Centre. They have it from a mineral source a sea source and plant source. It's good for strengthening hair, skin and nails. Always wear gloves when washing up and doing house work and gardening. The ridges can mean something to do with digestion bio yogurt can help as is balances the intestinal flora etc...or ridges can mean that you damaged your nail before it grew up, i.e. when it was under the cuticle. Massaging nutrient from creams at cuticle will help externally but you need to address it internally too.

Answer 5

the flaking and ridges are signs of vitamin deficiencies. You need to start taking a multi-vitamin and to help the bending you can take Knox Gelatin. You get in the grocery store and mix it with a full glass of water. It helps to strengthen nails and hair.

I would suggest you have a full physical with your doctor to see if there are problems you are not aware of.

Answer 6

Send them to the "nail" gym!

Just kidding - my mom uses hair and nails vitamins found at any vitamin shop and a friend of mine uses nail hardening nail polishes. The best thing to do is see your family doctor and ask him/her what you can do or if it is a sign of some other problem in your system. Problems with your nails are a good indication of other health problems.

Answer 7

you sound as if you mite have a problem with not eating the right foods as your nails reflect the diet a lot...eat lots of protein and fish and keep nail hardener on your nails..do you stay in water a lot? this will make them layer and flake and peel and not grow...get a good rich nail cream and don't let them get damaged by being banged or hit as they will reflect it with ridges and peeling.

Answer 8

I stopped using nail polish and now my nails are very strong. I don't know if the two are connected but it's worth thinking about!

Also, it may help to get a vitamin that it specifically for that - Olay makes vitamins that are specifically for strong nails and healthy hair, I think.

Answer 9

Get a nail strengthener, Nail Envy by OPI is really good, and put a new coat on every other day.

Answer 10

Some tips for at home!

Your nails may be craving something

If your nails are weak, splitting, fragile etc, the problem could be traced back to an inadequate water intake.

Most people don't drink nearly enough water. Drink up! :-)

How To Give Yourself A Manicure

Whether you prefer your nails to be long or short, they can still look stunning with a little know-how.

1. Wash and dry your hands.

2. Using a double-sided emery board, file nails using a gentle stroke. Avoid corners of your nails as this can weaken them.

3. Begin to shape your nails. The most popular shape to use is oval, but choose what is most suited to your hand and finger shape.

4. Check to see how well you have done. Run your nails over an old pair of pantyhose. Your nails should not snag the hose.

5. Apply a softener to your cuticles. Allow to site for a minute or so.

6.Transfer hands to a bowl of warm water and soak for an additional few minutes.

7. Gently push back the cuticles. This should not be painful. If hangnails are present, carefully clip them.

8. Apply hand lotion and begin to massage the palm of your hand with the thumb of your other hand. This will help to circulate the blood. Work your way over the remainder of the hand and then repeat giving equal time to the other hand.

9. Before color is applied to nails, they must be cleaned and the easiest way to do this is with an orange stick that has been wrapped with cotton. Dip into nail polish remover and then rub over the surface of the nail. Check the nail for any creamy residue. When none remains, your nails will be ready for polishing.

10. Time for color. Pick up a small amount of polish on your brush and paint one stroke down the center of your nail. Your brush should hold just enough color to accomplish this. Stroke the sides of the nail and you are done. The nail should be completely colored in three strokes. Allow to set for a minute or so before applying the second coat.

11. Wait until polish is set (dry to the touch) and then apply the top coat. Don't skip this step as it not only adds life to your manicure, it will protect your nails as well.

12. Sanitize all of your equipment with alcohol and when they are dry, store them away until the next manicure.

The corner of your nails should never be filed.

Why?

Filing the corners of your nails will weaken the nail and you will find that they will break more easily as a result.

Strong and Beautiful

1. Keep 'em short. Very long nails are more prone to breakage than nails filed just to the tips of your fingers.

2. Cultivate healthy cuticles. They protect the nail bed from infection and injury, making nails stronger and healthier. Avoid cutting your cuticles, and apply a hydrating cream or oil daily.

3. Stay square. Oval-shaped nails can tear at the sides. Nails filed into a square shape are less prone to this.

4. Watch the water... Extended exposure to water can make nails weak and prone to peeling. Wear rubber gloves when you're washing dishes or windows.

5. ...And watch the chemicals. The bleaches and other chemicals in cleaning products can also have a weakening effect on nails. Keep those rubber gloves handy for cleaning time, too.

4 ways to get healthy, elegant nails.

The problem: Your nails break, peel, or just won't grow.

The culprit: While the length to which your nails will grow is largely genetic, skipping growth-enhancing nail products can make the problem worse.

The solution: Nails need combination treatment to grow their longest and strongest. Use a nail protein for one week, then a nail strengthener the next. Alternating the two will build nail strength. And, of course, be gentle with your tips: Avoid using them as tools or soaking them in water for too long.

The problem: You have white spots dotting several nails.

The culprit: Some attribute these common white spots to calcium deposits or vitamin deficiencies. But they're more likely caused by stress, trauma to the nail, too-strong polish, or pregnancy.

The solution: The only way to treat the spots: Allow them to grow out. In the meantime, keeping your nails polished will help camouflage the spots.

The problem: Your polish chips as soon as you apply it.

The culprit: Oil or other debris left on the nail plate before applying polish. Even the tiniest swipe of moisturizer can cause nail polish to chip and peel.

he solution: Clean the nail plate before applying polish. Use pure alcohol. Or try a nail cleaning product like Quickies; both methods cleanse and dehydrate the nail, making polish stick better.

The problem: Your cuticles split and hurt.

The culprit: Cutting them! When you cut your cuticles, you expose them to bacteria and make them likely to split. What's more, bacteria can cause painful infection.

The solution: Lay off the cuticle nippers. To help nurse cut or split cuticles back to health, applying a conditioning cuticle oil that contains Vitamin E and tea tree oil to soften and heal. Use the oil once or twice a day until cuticles are soft and healthy again.