“Emery boards trigger microscopic openings and splits on the tip of the nail that lead to peeling and cracks,” Dr. Stern explains. “I favor glass or crystal nail recordsdata over cardboard emery boards as a result of they don’t trigger microscopic openings or tears and as a substitute create a clear edge on the nail.”
Go for non-acetone polish remover
“When it comes to chemical publicity, polish remover is an enormous one: Acetone tends to be particularly drying to the nail and might make brittle nails worse,” Dr. Stern says, noting that it is best to search out conditioning formulation that comprise substances like soy and/or have added moisturising advantages from oils. Strive the Cutex Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover which is enriched with coconut oil, or the Manicurist Inexperienced Nail Polish Remover.
Keep away from nail merchandise with formaldehyde
If typical nail-strengthening merchandise sound too good to be true, that is sadly as a result of a lot of them are. “Many so-called nail strengtheners nonetheless comprise formaldehyde or formalin, substances which can be very damaging to the nail,” warns Dr. Stern. “Formaldehyde will initially harden the nail; nonetheless, with time, the nail turns into paradoxically brittle and is vulnerable to lifting or separating off of the nail mattress.”
Formaldehyde may also trigger extreme allergic reactions on the surrounding nail folds, she provides, prompting the pores and skin to grow to be extraordinarily irritated, swollen and painful. Translation? When looking for nail merchandise, go for these formulated with out formaldehyde.
Moisturise with sunflower oil
Preserve your cuticles and nail moisturised, however all the time search for merchandise which can be formulated with scientifically confirmed substances, says Dr. Stern. “When on the lookout for a nail and cuticle moisturiser search for merchandise which can be wealthy in phospholipids, which have been proven to enhance nail flexibility, thus combatting brittleness,” she says. “Therapeutic massage the product into your cuticles a number of instances every day.”
You may discover phospholipids in merchandise containing sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil: According to Dr. Stern, each oils are particularly wealthy in phospholipids.
Deal with nails with glycolic acid
Lastly, ensure to search out nail therapies containing glycolic acid. “Glycolic acid has been proven to rejuvenate brittle nails,” confirms Dr. Stern. “Identical to we do peels for the pores and skin to take away the superficial layers of useless cells, this technique can be relevant to the nail,” Stern says.
As soon as the broken layer of nail cells is eliminated, any product you apply after shall be higher absorbed – serving to to hydrate and fortify the nail. A “peel for the nails” will be be performed both in a dermatologist’s workplace or at house, Stern says.