6 Questions to Ask Yourself if Your Nails Are Breaking

I was recently asked by a friend for help with her nails... "My nails have been breaking a lot all of the sudden."  And if  you are having sudden problems with your nails breaking, peeling nails or split nails, here are the questions you need to ask yourself.  

Even if you are not honest with your nail technician, be honest with yourself.

1. How long are your nails when they break and how you are using them?  

        If they get too long they will break easier.  

        Don't wear the free edge (white part of the nail) longer than half the length of your nail bed. 

2.  Have you been using your nails as tools or jewels? 

        Here is where you ask yourself...
        "Does my nail look like a screwdriver?" "Can I use my nail like a screwdriver and not have it break?

        Also, if you love certain types of hobbies or work that is hard on your nails, use gloves.  They will protect your nails better than going without them.

        Lets be honest...  If you use your nail as a screwdriver, they will break.

3.  Have you been eating right within the last 6-8 MONTHS?  Is there Biotin in you vitamin supplements you are taking?  Are you drinking enough water?

        Healthy foods rich in natural vitamins and minerals along with supplements that have biotin will keep your nails (and hair) healthier than having a cheeseburger and fries.  

        Drinking your daily supply of water makes for healthier nails too.  It is a good rule to drink half your height in inches to that amount of ounces of water.  Example: If you are 5'4" tall, your total inches would be 64" tall.  Divide 64 in half which equals 32.  You should probably be drinking approximately 32 ounces of water every day.

      

4.  Are you keeping your nails hydrated with a good cuticle oil?  

        Lotion on your hands doesn't necessarily mean better hydration for the nails, they need oil to keep them flexible.  

        Lotion is made mostly with water and nails need water from the inside, not from the outside.  Which brings us to the next point.

Bella10's CutiOil was created with 
a specific blend of natural oils and vitamins to hydrate the cuticle and nail.
Regular daily use will minimize breaking, peeling and splitting nails.

5.  Have you been in a lot water or in a lot hot water lately?  Strong chemicals? Do you wear gloves when doing house chores?

        Water swells individual nail cells and softens the protein that holds those cells together, kind of like glue.  Being in water a lot will leach the natural oils which keeps your nails flexible and keeps the protein from drying out.  Hot water expands the nails further and when they are combined with detergents and cleaning chemicals, this will leach out the natural oils from our nails even more, leaving them dried out and brittle. Solution, use only warm water, not hot.  This will reduce the drying effect.  Also it is wise to wear gloves when using cleaning chemicals.

        Being in too much hot water = Your nails will be prone to splitting, peeling and breaking.

6.  Do you keep polish on them?

        Even clear polish adds a layer of strength and protection to the natural nail.  
        There are also gel polishes that can add strength without the constant application.  
        A warning on gel polishes though, they are very strong and if the gel polish is peeled off or removed incorrectly or if the nail is buffed too much on top of the nail, your nail will weaken dramatically!  It will be as if you have just removed artificial nails.

From "8 Tips on How to Grow Your Nails Faster and Stronger"

If you are recovering from Artificial Nails
and trying to get healthy natural nails back, check out
"The Secret to Artificial Nail Recovery"

8 Tips on How to Grow Your Nails Faster and Stronger

Let's face it, women want long fingernails.  They're sexy and they're feminine. But the question always remains, how can I get them naturally? Here are some key ways to help get your nails to grow longer and stronger.

1. Eat a healthy diet.  Our nails, hair and skin reflect our overall health and nutrition.  Eating healthy foods rich in vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients is a long term solution with excellent results. Your nails, hair and skin can improve over time.
2. Keep them protected.  Use gloves when doing dishes, gardening or any mechanical work.  Water damages nails, so do chemicals and hard use.
3. Keep your nails polished at all times. Nail polish increases the thickness of your nails thereby protecting the nails.  Even if you only use a clear polish, making certain to cap the tips of your nails.  Prevent them from chipping by applying another clear coat (top coat) every 2-3 days. For more on nail polish see Prevent Polish Chipping & Peeling
4.  Do not clip your nails.  Clipping the nails creates micro-cracks.  If you must clip your nails, soak them in water for approximately two minutes first.  If possible, invest in a precision blade nail clipper.  It is preferable to file your nails in one direction, from side to tip
5. Do not let your nails get TOO long.  Be realistic.  Based on your activity levels and what you do with your hands, keep your nails just a little shorter than where they usually break.  If one finger breaks more often than the others, keep that nail shorter as you use that finger more or it has a weak area. 

   

   
   

   Bella10 CutiOil is Available at Bella10.com 

6. Use a good Cuticle Oil.  Skin sebum keeps nails healthy but as we mature, sebum production diminishes. Replace natural sebum with natural plant based oils rich in Vitamin E like Almond oil (softens nails), Macadamia Nut and Jojoba oil (mimic natural sebum).   
7. Massage your finger tips daily.  Increased blood circulation to the nails stimulates faster nail growth.  This can be done in conjunction with using cuticle oil.
8. Have a regular manicure.  It doesn't matter if you do it yourself or if someone does it for you, a regular manicure will keep you aware of your nails and you will protect them more.

Remember, growing longer healthier nails does not happen overnight.  Be patient and use these 8 tips to grow healthier, longer, and more beautiful nails!

To learn more about Natural Nail care, read

"The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails"

Available at Amazon.com. Barnes & Noble or your local bookseller.

Why Do I Have Nail Ridges?

I have heard this question from more clients than I can count!  

But what I need to know is...

What type of ridges do you have? Horizontal or Vertical?

Artwork by Dawn Loberg, from "The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails"

Vertical Nail Ridges

     Vertical nail ridges are the most common type of nail ridges.  They are like a fingerprint for your nail, one that amplifies with age.  As we get older, they can become more pronounced due to everyday abuse; repeated blows, beating and battering of the fingertips and fingernails.  Vertical ridges also become more pronounced when the finger is injured from catching them in drawers and doors. 

     But injury and repeated abuse is not the only cause of increased ridges.  Vertical nail ridges also become more pronounced as we age, due to lack of moisture in the nail.  As we age, our skin slows in the production of sebum, which hydrates our nails naturally.  Depending on the individual, this natural process will dry out the nail.  The nails becomes seemingly harder and the ridges become more pronounced, but they can also become more brittle and prone to breaking.

Horizontal Nail Ridges

     Horizontal nail ridges are less common and can be due to a multitude of reasons.  Most often, they are due to infection and injury.  A common horizontal ridge can be be created if your feet mildly over-pronate, causing your toes to hit the tip of your shoe as you walk or run.  Over-pronating as you walk or run can also cause you to bruise your nail and even have it fall off.  Of course it is important to see a doctor when such an injury or infection occurs, especially in the area of the nail matrix, the area around the moon of your nail and below the cuticle.  This type of injury or infection can cause permanent horizontal nail ridges and waves, although this usually only happens on one or more fingers or toes.  When the ridges are on all the nails, it is usually a systemic nail disorder and you will want to consult a doctor. The most common type of systemic nail ridges can be the caused by, but are not limited to:

1.       Nail Pitting, most commonly from Psoriasis

2.      Beau’s Lines, which can be a sign of a zinc deficiency or something more serious like uncontrolled diabetes, etc. 

     If you are unsure on what exactly is causing the condition, see a doctor.  And for more information on nail conditions you should never ignore, including Nail Pitting and Beau’s Lines, check out the slide show by Mayo Clinic “7 Fingernail Problems Not to Ignore”.  

How to Care for Nail Ridges 

     Usually, vertical nail ridges can be minimized by applying a cuticle oil, like Bella10 CutiOil, daily, which can help with rehydrating the natural nails.  Bella10 CutiOil was created to be high in Lineoleic acid, which softens and conditions the nail, and with natural oils that mimic the skins natural sebum which can be lost as we get older.  I have seen some amazing results when used regularly  in a daily routine.  Nails have become less ridged, more flexible, and have less peeling and breakage.

     Other ways to deal with nail ridges cosmetically is best done with a ridge filling polish.  It will help your nail polish go on smoother than without it.  Use caution if you plan to buff down any nail ridge.  Most (but not all) nails are the same thickness all the way across.  If you buff  the ridge down, you may thin the nail plate at the point of the ridge, thereby creating a weakened nail.  This is usually true for vertical nail ridges.  Buffing can create splits down the nail that take up to 6 months to grow out.  It is a good idea to keep this nail shorter in instances where the split keeps occurring, especially if you are hard on  your hands and nails.   When the ridge continuously creates a split nail, this may be an instance when nail glue with a filler powder, acrylic or gel product is needed to hold the nail together.  Use good judgement when making this decision.


An Important Note on Nail Infection

     If for any reason, an infection develops surrounding your nail or even under your nail, due to an injury or severely split nail, see a doctor immediately.  Blood poisoning can easily occur with some infections and is not to be taken lightly.  Seeing a doctor can also reduce the chance for permanent nail damage.  Permanent damage can create horizontal nail ridges, waves, chronic nail splitting and even the loss of the entire nail, which can not be cured or corrected.

 For more information on natural nail care, Get the Book,

"The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails" by veteran natural nail expert, Alicia Lyons

Prevent Peeling Nails

In my last post, I told you about an amazing TopInox® Stainless Steel Nail Clipper from Zamberg, that cuts so cleanly, and when used correctly will minimize micro-cracks in the nail plate that cause peeling nails.  Of course, it is always best to clip the nail after the nail has been soaked for at least 2 minutes. 

Clipping the nail is great if you need to take a lot of nail off at one time.  But even after clipping, the nail needs to be filed.  One of the best files I've come across over the years is a glass nail file, and luckily, Zamberg has those too!  Hey, I love one stop shopping!  lol

Check out these beauties!

 

I love that they have Bling too!

  

I personally like a pointed tip to my personal nail file

so I can clean under my own nails easily.

But seriously...

Glass nail files are gentle, yet effective way of filing the nails and preventing micro-tears between the flattened nail plates.  Micro-cracks and micro-tears can be caused by aggressive filing with a coarse nail file.  Also remember that filing the nails should always be from the side to the tip.  As shown below.

Artwork by Dawn Loberg, from "The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails"

 Also, angle your file as shown here.

Artwork by Dawn Loberg, from "The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails"

When ever you file, you will find small frays that stick out.  Be certain to gently file or buff that off with a light touch with your file or a very fine nail file or buffer.  A fray is an over-sized micro-tear. The less pressure with the file will be gentler to the natural nail and a nice glass file will do this beautifully.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you learned something new!

Want to know more on how to prevent peeling nails? Then you need to know about

 "Bella10 CutiOil is the Best Cuticle Oil Ever!"

Bella10 CutiOil is available at Bella10.com