healthy nails

Biting nails or being too aggressive when cleaning out under the nail can create stress fractures on the corners of the edges and eventually cause breaks, says Kimmie Kyees. Also, rubbing the top of your nails its a nervous habit some women have and it may cause severe ridges in the top of the nail plate.

Kyees advises women to use rubber gloves when they are using household cleaners to provide a barrier of protection against harmful chemicals that break the nail down.

When you are constantly in water, your nails will become weaker when they are actually wet and tear more easily, explains Kyees. Nails are porous and absorb water, so they will need to dry a little after being submerged in water or doing cleaning or bathing.

Regular manicures, which includes filing the nails and cuticle care, is crucial, according to Deborah Lippmann. Moisturizing cuticles daily is also a key component to maintaining healthy, beautiful nails.

Winter temperatures can seriously dry and deteriorate your nails, so make sure to wear gloves when you go out, says Jin Soon Choi.

We know what inhaling toxic nail polishes containing formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and toluene can potentially lead to. Choi warns against nail treatments that contain these materials as they will make achieving strong, healthy nails difficult.

You can never be too safe! So before putting your hands under a UV or LED light, Lippmann recommends smoothing on a broad spectrum sunscreen beforehand to protect nails and hands.

As far as vitamins, a biotin supplement is great for nails, says Lippmann. Products, both treatment and lacquer, that include biotin are also very helpful so that you can apply it directly on the nail. Kyees topical nail care solution: vitamin E gel capsules. She explains, Use a pin and pop a hole into the capsule, then apply it directly to your nails.

The actual nail forms just below the cuticle, and when you massage the cuticle you bring blood into that area of the nail which promotes healthier nail growth, says Lippmann. Its more about the action of massaging and getting the blood flowing than an actual treatment.

Lippmann believes that you should always hydrate after washing your hands. You would never wash your face without using a moisturizer, and you should treat your hands the same way.