Try as you might, your nails never seem to make it past the nail bed without chipping or breaking on you. It’s frustrating, we know (especially when you’ve just paid for a fresh manicure). Here, some tips on how to make yours longer and stronger within a month. Just remember to be consistent and patient, as nails typically grow about three millimeters per month (or roughly about half the size of a pencil eraser) on average.
What Am I Lacking If My Nails Are Weak?
If your nails have become thinner or softer lately, it could be any number of factors that’s causing the issue including nutritional deficiencies, an underlying medical condition or aging. In the case of a nutritional deficiency, you could be lacking vitamin B7 (aka biotin), iron and zinc, all of which are important for maintaining healthy nails.
8 Tips On How to Strengthen Nails
1. Use a Growth Serum
They’re packed with biotin (which helps to strengthen weak nails while also keeping your cuticles healthy). Massage a drop onto bare nails—or over any nail color—once daily.
2. Apply Cuticle Oil
Cuticles are there for a reason: To protect your nails and prevent infections—which is why it’s important to keep them healthy. Keep a bottle of oil at your desk as a visual reminder to put some on between meetings (or when you’re mindlessly scrolling Facebook during lunch).
3. Slather on Some Lotion
Stick to a thicker formula and really work it into your cuticles and over your nails, too, since most of us tend to just apply it onto our hands. Parched nails peel and become brittle, whereas hydrated ones stay smooth and shiny.
4. Use a Nail Hardener Every Few Days
They have proteins and conditioning ingredients in them that strengthen your tips while also nourishing them. (Tip: There are formulas that have a slight pinkish tint to them that make your nails look immediately brighter.)
5. File Them Into Rounder Shapes
Pointy tips or square edges are more likely to catch on things and break. Curved, slightly rounded edges are a much safer nail shape (and have the added bonus of making your nails look longer).
6. Wear Gloves When Doing Chores
Constant exposure to water and harsh detergents (like your dish soap) can be extremely drying. Luckily, the fix is simple: Wear a pair of rubber gloves and always apply that aforementioned hand cream afterward.
7. Use a Conditioning Polish Remover
To take off old polish, use something without acetone in it. Bonus points if it also has conditioning oils in the formula. Though you’ll likely have to work a bit harder to get the polish off, it’s much better for your nails because the chemicals aren’t as harsh.
8. Swipe a Neutral Polish
While your nails are growing, use a creamy opaque hue that is close to the color of your skin (or one shade lighter). It will make your nails appear longer in between stages. Later, you’ll be ready to bring out the vivid colors.
When to See a Doctor About Weak Nails
Most indicators of weakening nails, such as peeling, chipping, or even white areas on the nail bed, are harmless and will disappear over time. However, there are several occasions where you might want to get your nails examined by your doctor, such as:
- If you have persistent pain, redness or swelling around the nails.
- If you notice a change in the shape, color or thickness of your nails that doesn’t go away after a few months, as your nails grow out.
- If nail has a new or changing dark streak that won’t go away. This could be an indicator of melanoma, which your doctor will be able to diagnose.
- If you have lines that run side to side across the nail (aka “Beau’s lines”). As Steinmetz previously told us, “Vertical lines on nails, also called ridges, are a common effect of an aging nail. As nails age they become less able to absorb nutrients and retain moisture levels. That combined with variations in cell turnover cause an uneven appearance, [which is normal], but when the lines run horizontally, you may want to have them looked at by a dermatologist to rule out any underlying condition.”
