Though brittle nails are a common occurrence with age, sometimes there are other factors involved. Certain medical conditions such as kidney and liver disease, cold dry weather, and repeated moisture and dryness can all cause your once healthy nails to become brittle. Brittle nails break a lot easier, which can sometimes be quite painful. There are several things you can do to repair your brittle nails.
Step 1
Dampen a paper towel with vegetable oil and massage the oil into your fingernails. If you opt to use a lotion instead, read the ingredients carefully and choose one that doesn't contain alcohol, fragrances or harsh chemicals. Moisturize your nails at least three to four times per day.
Step 2
Take a daily supplement of biotin. A 2.5 mg dose of biotin, a type of vitamin B, can help to give you healthier nails over time. This isn't a solution that will bring you quick relief, as it can take at least six months to see improvement.
Step 3
Apply a coat of clear nail polish to your nails weekly. Remove the nail polish after a week with a nail polish remover that does not contain acetone before reapplying a fresh coat.
Step 4
Wear warm gloves to protect your nails from harsh winter weather. Wear rubber gloves lined with cotton on the inside--or rubber gloves over cotton gloves--while doing dishes or any other activity that exposes your hands to excess moisture.
Step 5
Wash your hands when you bathe and as necessary throughout the day, but do not to wash them too much. The process of getting them wet and dry is hard on your nails. Trim your nails and file them into a rounded shape to prevent breaks and snags.
Tips and Warnings
- Make a conscious effort not to bite or pick at brittle nails.
- If nothing seems to help improve your nails, talk to your doctor to rule out any possible underlying medical conditions.
Things You'll Need
- Paper towel
- Vegetable oil
- Moisturizing lotion
- Biotin supplement
- Clear nail polish
- Non-acetone nail polish remover
- Rubber and cotton gloves
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