Damaged nails are usually the cause of harsh treatment. Whether you've used your nails to pick at something hard, worn acrylic nails for too long and weakened them, or simply ignore nail care, you can end up with cracked, peeling nails that are weak and discolored. To fix damaged nails, ensuring that you care for them properly is necessary. With the proper practices, you can help foster the growth of healthy, strong nails that are clear and look their best.
Step 1
Trim your nails down to a manageable length, around the tops of your fingertips. Long nails are more prone to damage and breakage, Paul Kechijian, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center tells MotherNature.com. When you trim your nails, ensure that they are trimmed straight across and filed down at the edges for a smooth shape that won't catch on anything.
Step 2
Massage mineral oil into your cuticles to help keep them nourished and strong. Your cuticles help protect your nail beds from infection, so it's important that they stay healthy. Never clip or mash your cuticles down, as you could be putting yourself at risk for infection.
Step 3
Wear gloves when your hands will be immersed in water for a long time, like when washing dishes or cleaning. Too much moisture makes the nails soft and prone to peeling. A simple pair of inexpensive dishwashing gloves can help save your nails from damage and save you money on costly nail treatments and strengthening treatments.
Step 4
Apply moisturizer to your hands and nails after you wash them with drying soaps, suggests MayoClinic.com. Just like your skin, your nails need to be moisturized or they could become too brittle and crack. Just reserve a small portion of hand moisturizer and rub some over your nails to keep them healthy.
Step 5
Brush a nail strengthening treatment or clear nail polish over your nails, especially if they seem too soft. A coat of clean nail polish or strengthening treatment will help place a protecting barrier between your nails and excess water moisture while giving your nails extra strength to stand up to your everyday use.
Step 6
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if your nail damage shows any of the following characteristics: blue color, distortion, horizontal ridges, paleness, white lines or whiteness under the nail, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. These could be the signs of a serious underlying medical problem past simply damaged nails.
Things You'll Need
- Nail clippers
- Emery board
- Mineral oil
- Plastic gloves
- Nail strengthener
- Moisturizer
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