Are you struggling to grow or maintain healthy and strong nails? We hear you. The culprit can be the constant wetting & drying of nails, ripping off leftover polish, nail-biting or iron deficiency. Luckily, you can still get the nails you’ve always dreamed of with a few lifestyle changes and by breaking some habits. We’ve compiled the best 11 tips for healthy & strong nails below.
Moisturise your nails regularly.
The constant wetting & drying of nails through handwashing can leave your nails weak and brittle. So make sure to moisturise your nails after washing them. Consider using Magic Pen Starter Pack, a set of nail creams to moisturise, treat & protect your nail bed and cuticles.
Practice good nail hygiene.
Dirt and grime can get trapped on your nails. So always keep the underside of your nails dirt-free; you can use a clean toothbrush to scrub them easily with soap and water.
Keep your nails short or trimmed.
Long nails may look fancy, but they are harder to manage and tend to break more often. It’s best to keep your nails short or trimmed, especially if they are still weak and brittle. Much like your hair, regularly trimming your nails will encourage healthy growth.
Choose nail care products more mindfully.
Some polishes and nail polish removers contain harmful chemicals that can weaken and strip the natural oils from your nail bed. So don’t skip reading the product label before buying it. You may also want to consider using vegan, cruelty-free nail polishes.
Be gentle on your cuticles.
Cuticles act as barriers against bacteria, so it is best not to cut them. If you need to trim a cuticle, be gentle when pushing it back or use a cuticle-removing formula instead.
Wear rubber gloves when cleaning.
Your cleaning solutions may contain chemicals harmful to your nails. Be on the safe side by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning your home or washing the dishes.
Take a two-week break from nail polish.
Do you get manicures or acrylics regularly? We recommend a two-week break from them every six weeks to let your nail bed breathe. Maybe, that’s all your nails need to rejuvenate.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Sometimes, weak & brittle nails are caused by poor nutrition. Much like hair, nails need tons of nutrients to grow healthily & beautifully. So eat a well-balanced diet and focus on food rich in iron, protein, Vitamin B and magnesium. Consider taking biotin supplements, too.
Stop using your nails as tools.
Stop using your nails to scratch papers, scrape food off dirty pans or open soda cans. Doing so can put immense pressure on the weakest part of your nails and cause breakage.
Avoid biting your nails.
Do you have a habit of biting your nails when feeling stressed or nervous? It can be difficult to stop, but you have to try because it is unhygienic and damages your nail bed, making it more vulnerable to infection. Understand what triggers your habit and try to get rid of them. We know it can be hard, so while resolving the underlying causes, we recommend you use the Magic Pen. It’s a nail cream with a perfume taste that may help you stop biting your nails.