How to Strengthen Your Nails

Are your nails brittle and easily broken? Changing a few everyday habits can make a big difference. Treating your nails gently, getting plenty of nutrients and trying a few surprising tricks will have your nails growing strong and fast in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Having a Healthy Nail Routine

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Trim your nails regularly. If you let your nails grow too long and get jagged and rough, they are more likely to break off and get weaker. Your nails are kind of like your hair - without regular upkeep, they start to get weaker at the tips. Trimming your nails regularly is one important way to help them stay strong.
- Trim your nails with a nail clipper or nail scissors - not a regular pair of scissors or any other type of trimming instrument. And make sure your clippers or scissors are sharp!
- Don't trim your nails too short. Trimming them to the quick can leave the tips of your fingers prone to hangnails and infections. Leave a little white edge at the tips of your nails.
File your nails the right way. Filing the nails in a sawing motion is one of the most damaging things you can do, since it destroys the fibers in your nails. This can actually weaken the entire nail, not just the tip! To file the right way, use an emery board and lightly run the file in one direction only, instead of sawing back and forth.
3
Be careful when trimming your cuticles. Some people like to trim their cuticles all the way back, but this can leave your nail beds prone to infection. Instead of trimming your cuticles, consider soaking them and then lightly pushing them back using a cuticle pusher. This way they'll be out of the way when you paint your nails, but they'll still protect your fingers from getting infected with bacteria.
- Soak your nails in warm water for about 5 minutes to start. You can add a little oil if you want to.
- Use a cuticle stick to push back the cuticles toward the base of the nails. Don't press down too hard, and don't force them back. Don't rip or shred the cuticles.
4
Use oil or lotion to hydrate your nails. If your fingers and nails tend to get dry, using some oil or lotion is a great way to strengthen and hydrate them.^{[1]XExpert SourceMohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified DermatologistExpert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Put on lotion each time you take a shower. You can also cover your fingers in lotion before you go to bed at night, so your fingers and nails will be hydrated by morning. Here are a few hydrating products that will help your nails get strong:
- Aloe
- Chia gel
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Argan oil
- Castor oil
- Almond oil
- Jojoba oil
- Tea tree oil
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
Nail strengthener is said to form a hard shield-like protection for your nails so that they aren't exposed to things that can weaken them. Some strengtheners are meant to be applied weekly, some monthly. Give it a try, but keep in mind that relying solely on a strengthener probably isn't going to be your best bet, since brittle nails are often caused by harsh treatment and not getting enough nutrients.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Your Nails With Care

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Don't get too many manicures. The process of applying several coats of base coat, color, and top coat, having the polish chip slowly away, then taking it off using a chemical can do a lot of damage.^{[2]XExpert SourceMohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified DermatologistExpert Interview. 26 March 2020.} In addition, while some manicurists use the proper technique for filing the nails and pushing back the cuticles, many don't. Getting frequent manicures weakens your nails in the following ways:
- Your nails get exposed to lots of chemicals, including the chemicals in polish and polish remover - especially acetone
- Your nails may get handled roughly - filed incorrectly, etc.
- Your nails might get exposed to bacteria from the tools at the nail salon
2
Let your nails go bare sometimes.^{[3]XExpert SourceMohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified DermatologistExpert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Strong, healthy nails will begin to emerge if you give them the chance by going bare sometimes. If it has been ages since your nails have seen the light of day, commit to going one month without applying any polish. It will take about that long to see the solid new nail growth coming in. Here's what you're likely to see:
- Discoloration caused as a result of using highly pigmented colors on your nails (especially deep purples, dark reds, blacks and blues) will start to go away as your nails grow out.
- Your nails will grow in more smooth - you'll see fewer lines and they won't feel rough.
- Your nails will be less prone to breakage.
3
Don't bite your nails. This leads them shredded and tattered, and also makes your fingers more prone to infection. If you have a habit of biting your nails, they're bound to be weak! Make a commitment to stopping - you'll see improvement right away.
- Try putting tea tree oil on your nails. The strong taste will deter you from putting your mouth on your nails, and tea tree's healing properties will go to work, too!
- You can try using a formula specifically created to stop people from biting nails (sold at drug stores). However, since these formulas have a lot of chemicals in them, this may not be the best long-term strategy - it could end up making your nails brittle.
4
Don't use harsh products on your nails. If you wash the dishes without wearing gloves or clean your bathroom with your bare hands, that's going to have an effect on your nails. The strong, harsh detergents in dish soap and household cleaners is really hard on nails and skin. Any time you use a product with chemicals, wear a pair of nonporous rubber gloves.
- Better yet, try using products that don't contain toxic chemicals. Vinegar, lemon juice and other natural substances can do a lot of the same work without hurting your nails!
- Even some hand soaps have strong chemicals that can be hard on skin. Look for soap with moisturizing properties or use a gentle soap like castile soap to protect your hands.
Using very hot water is hard on your nails and skin, too. It can make your nails get soft, and during that time they can rip and tear much more easily. Use very warm or lukewarm water and soap instead.
If your nails are yellow or brown, and break all the way down to the cuticles, you might have a serious fungal infection that needs to be treated. For severe symptoms like these, see your doctor to discuss a treatment plan, which will likely involve taking prescription medication or using a topical anti-fungal cream.^{[4]XResearch source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Eating Nutrients that Strengthen Them

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Eat protein.^{[5]XExpert SourceMohiba Tareen, MD
Board Certified DermatologistExpert Interview. 26 March 2020.} If your nails seem to be weak and brittle no matter what you do, it's time to think more about what you're putting in your body. Your nails, like the rest of your body, are nourished and strengthened by the food you eat. Nails are actually made out of protein, so if you aren't getting enough on a daily basis, it really shows in your nails.
- Eat protein as part of every meal. Eggs, meat and fish are good choices, as are beans, other legumes and tofu.
- You can also drink protein shakes or add protein powder to a glass of water or milk to get an extra boost of protein.
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Get plenty of vitamins. Nails are also nourished by a lot of different vitamins that make them strong, healthy and shiny. If your nails look dull and yellowed, it's important to step up the amount of nutrients you're feeding them. Vitamins D, H and A are especially important for nail health.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Dairy products are a great source of vitamin D.
- Bananas, beans and eggs are great sources of vitamin H.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Carrots and sweet potatoes will load you up with vitamin A.
If you're on an extreme diet, it might make your nails stop growing. Not getting enough food can cause your nails to become brittle, yellowed and prone to breakage. Make sure you're getting enough calories - that includes calories through fats, proteins and carbohydrates. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are essential for healthy nails.
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