What can I do for brittle fingernails?

Question

My fingernails tend to get brittle and break
before I get them trimmed. Is there something
I can do or take to prevent this and perhaps even
to make them look better?

Answer 1

Take some iron supplement pills or increase your iron intake through foods, such as red meats.

Brittle nails are a sign of anemia. But you can also have brittle nails if you bite them all the time, or they may be breaking from the type of nail file you use. Metal nail files are bad for your nails and they do cause future breakage.

Answer 2

Exposure to water (frequent hand washing, doing dishes, etc.) will dry out nails and cause brittleness (peeling, breaking, splitting). The water rinses away natural oils and the nail absorbs some water causing the nail layers to expand. As the water evaporates, the nail layers contract leading to peeling, etc. (like paint exposed to the elements)

My nails used to peel constantly so I stopped using a nail clipper and only use a nail file to shape and shorten them. I also started protecting my nails with thicker moisturizers.

I read somewhere that nail clippers can cause the layers of the nail to separate and filing is the best way to go.

I started with Revlon's disposable files made for weak nails. File in one direction only. Start on one side and file towards the middle, then go to the other side and file towards the middle of your nail. Smooth the nail into a squoval that mirrors you cuticle or the shape of the white part of your nail bed.

Finish the edges of the nail with a hindo stone, a smooth ceramic/stone nail file or the finest grit nail file you can find. You want to make the edges really smooth.

Revlon makes a tool that should work. It is a pink half moon shape and you can run it under/across the nail from side to middle.

(I have an old hindo stone but haven't been able to find a replacement at a local store. The Revlon tool might be easier for you to find.)

Also, avoid using metal nail files. I recommend using disposable nail files and changing them frequently. The fresher the grit, the less the drag which leads to tearing and peeling.

Some people swear by glass nail files but they can shatter if dropped.

I also use a cuticle balm or nail oil to moisturize my nails and protect them from water since I wash my hands frequently.
(ex. Solar Oil, OPI Avoplex)

Vit E oil, jojoba oil, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaseline or plain Chapstick will work too.

Avoid products w/ formaldehyde or toluene, they are very hard on nails.

Answer 3

really inexpensive solution-
make a packet of jello.. if you want you can go for the ones with color or you can just grab a plain pack of gellatin. after it cools down enough but is still in liquid form, paint some on your fingernails. I know this sounds weird but the gellatin in the jello helps strengthen your finger nails. I had really brittle fingernails that broke all the time. Then I did that and now, voila! my fingernails grow long and strong!!! it works great!

Answer 4

The best thing to do for brittle Nairls is to use nail hardener and nai strengthener it will harden your nails and keep them from breaking . It will also keep your nails from becoming brittle. And if the doesn't help then get a manicure at least once a month. It will keep your nails in top notch shape.

Answer 5

I had that same problem but now once a month I mix lemon extract, vinegar, and olive oil in a bowl and soak them for an hour. It always does the trick even if it is a little unorthodox and crazy sounding.

Answer 6

Daby Nail Hardener, $13.00. Once a day.

Are you getting enough vitamins? If you don't from your diet, try a multi-vitamin.

Answer 7

Are you in the U. S. or uk? Are you concerning the gelatine with fruit flavouring which, we in the united kingdom call "Jelly"? We have been continually instructed, as toddlers, that gelatine reinforced your nails and it replaced into cautioned which you consume one cube of pre-arranged "jelly" an afternoon. scientific technological expertise would have moved on.

Answer 8

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=30997&from=search&find_spec=nail&camp=200708&dir_delivery=1&rep_delivery=1

This avon product has been the only thing that stops my nails from breaking and it was BAAAD!! It works great! Good luck!!

Answer 9

hair, skin, nails vitamins
or prenatal vitamins!

drink lots of milk and get protein! good for your hair, nails and skin! the building blocks of YOU!