How to strengthen your brittle nails: 5 tips for healthy nails

The pain of getting your nail broken every other day because of brittleness is unfathomable. You take care of your nails so religiously only to witness them breaking in the end. As much as the health of your skin is important, having prim and strengthened nails is equally essential in helping us look smarter and tidy. However, the good news is that your concern for your brittle nails has various remedial measures for prevention. Keeping yourself hydrated, incorporating healthy changes in lifestyle and diet, and stacking up on nutritional supplements like biotin are some things you can try.

So, if you are suffering from chappy nails and looking for ways to make them healthier, read on to know how to prevent brittle nails.

Follow these tips to improve your nail health

Layers of a protein called keratin make our nails, and they guard our fingers and toes against any harm caused by the outside environment. Keratin, also found in hair and skin, works its way to shield our nails from damage. Brittle nails could be an outcome of an underlying health condition or some external unknown factors. But, there’s always a solution to make your nails healthy and strong. Follow these tips to keep them healthy.

If you are suffering from chappy nails and are looking for ways to make them healthier, then read on to know how to prevent brittle nails.

1. Limit exposure to water

Post the Covid-19 pandemic, we have all given in to this habit of washing our hands to keep germs and infections at bay. However, too much soaking in water can make your nails brittle and weak. You can wear gloves while doing the dishes, and try to avoid submerging your hands in water while bathing, if possible.

2. Increase your water intake

Drinking ample water is non-negotiable when it comes to overall well-being and your nail health is no exception to it. Drinking enough water provides much-needed moisture and helps prevent your nails from becoming brittle. Keeping yourself well hydrated helps your nails in retaining moisture and keeps them strong.

3. Be mindful of what you eat

Your diet should be nutrition-dense and varied. You can also take additional multivitamins for that extra dose of healthy nutrition. A diet that is devoid of required nutrients has an impact on your entire body, including your nails.

4. Give your nails some time to breathe

We know that you love experimenting with different shades when it comes to applying nail polish. However, as much as your nail polish looks nice, your nails do need some time to breathe. Constant application of nail polish weakens the skin of your nails. You can apply nail paint for a week, and then remove it using an acetone-free paint remover, and let your nails remain polish-free for a week to help them recover.

5. Try taking a biotin supplement

Biotin is a vitamin H and vitamin B7 supplement and is a part of B vitamins. Since it’s water-soluble, it doesn’t remain stored in the body, so you have to make sure that it is consumed daily. It is a vitamin that keeps hair, skin, and nail (HSN) health under check. Alongside this, it also aids in the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Foods like sardines, cooked eggs, and legumes are rich in biotin, however, you can always take a separate supplement of biotin for healthy nails. Do reach out to a healthcare professional to understand if taking a biotin supplement is healthy for you.