Most people don’t give their nails much thought other than applying a little polish or trying not to bite them during a stressful trip. But your nails are actually very important.
They protect your fingers and toes, and they help you with many of life’s little tasks. And like it or not, nails can say a lot about a person’s attention — or lack thereof — to detail.
Most people can agree that a chipped or broken nail can have a major impact on seemingly mundane tasks, such as pulling on a pair of socks or pantyhose. However, despite their functional importance, nails receive little respect or appreciation — few of us know how to keep our nails healthy and in good condition. About a quarter of people in the United States have what is called brittle nail syndrome. Cracked nails break and chip easily, and they can also peel in layers. They are more likely to have jagged, rough edges rather than a smooth surface.
While some health conditions can lead to brittle nails, dry nails can also be caused by activities like washing dishes and using harsh cleaning products. The things that make your nails shiny and beautiful can also cause them to crack and break. Ingredients in nail polish, such as formaldehyde, can dry out nails. And nail polish remover is doubly harmful. The acetone in many removers is extremely drying to the nails.
For most people with brittle, dry nails, the best treatment is the simplest: moisturize. If you want to learn more about healthy nails, discover ways to avoid brittle nails and get some tips to help you moisturize your nails effectively, then read on.
Moisturizing Brittle Nails
Before you start applying moisturizer to your cuticles, it can help to understand a little about nails and what makes them healthy. Nails are made up of layers of keratin, the structural protein you’ll also find in your skin and hair. There are basically five main parts of your nails and the area around them:
Nail plate — This is the part of your nail that is on the surface, which you can see, touch and feel.
Nailfolds — These are the areas of skin that surround your nail plates.
Nail Bed – The skin beneath your nails is called the nail bed, which is partially responsible for holding the nail plate in place.
Cuticles — Your cuticles are protective layers of tissue that overlap the nail plate at the edge of the nail folds.
Lonula – The lunula is the white strip that appears under your nail plate.
So why do nails break in the first place? Your nails grow from the cuticle at a rate of about 0.004 inch (0.1 mm) a day. As nails are exposed to daily wear and tear, they can begin to suffer. Between the keratin layers, there are small spaces. When nails are exposed to air and water, the gaps can swell. This makes it easier for the layers to separate, which in turn leads to increased wear and tear.
Applying moisturizer to your nails can prevent them from breaking. Moisturizer protects the nail plate from air and water that can cause damage. There are two common ways to moisturize nails. One method is to apply a cream or ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to the hands, cuticles, and nail plates. Another is to soak the nails in an oil, such as bath oil or olive oil. In extreme cases, you may want to combine these methods. First, soak the nails in oil, wipe off the excess oil with hands, and then apply a moisturizing cream.
Keep reading for some practical tips to keep your nails moisturized and healthy.
Tips for moisturizing your nails
Now that you know the common culprits of cracked nails and the basics of moisturizing, there are some additional steps you can take to care for cracked, dry nails or keep broken nails at bay:
Do not use nail polish that contains formaldehyde. You should also stay away from nail polish removers that contain acetone. If you’re struggling with brittle nails but still want to add some shine to your nails, limit polishing to twice a month.
Wear gloves when cleaning or doing dishes, as using soap and scrubbing can dry out your hands and nails.
Health experts recommend that we wash our hands frequently to ward off harmful viruses and bacteria, but all this washing is hard on the skin and nails. Use a mild soap when possible and apply a moisturizer after washing.
Avoid long, hot baths or showers, as hot water is particularly drying to the skin. And, just like when washing your hands, be sure to moisturize your skin and nails as soon as possible after showering. By doing this, you can seal off any remaining moisture from the shower.
For deep moisturizing, apply a generous amount of hand cream or petroleum jelly before bed, then pull on gloves or socks. Special cotton gloves for this purpose are available at many stores.
Choose a moisturizer that contains alpha hydroxy acids.
Use a humidifier in the winter, when the air is often dry, which can be harsh on skin and nails.