How to strengthen nails at home: general principles and recipes

Rules for strengthening nails

There are several basic rules for caring for nails and strengthening them at home. Following them will at least help your nails look beautiful and well-groomed even without the use of special products:

• Moisturize and nourish nail plates and cuticles frequently.

• Monitor the balance of vitamins and microelements in the body and, if necessary, replenish their deficiency.

• Try to wear gloves when in contact with household chemicals, acids and other aggressive solutions.

• Use medicated nail products as a base for colored polish or as a stand-alone coating.

• Give your nails a rest periodically, that is, do not use gel polishes and other decorative coatings.

• Get your nails done regularly: trim and file your nails carefully. But don't overdo it and learn to do it right.

How to strengthen nails with gel polish

If you want to strengthen the gel polish so that the manicure lasts longer and does not chip, use acrylic powder. Gel polish itself is a fairly durable coating; manicurists rarely hear complaints that the manicure does not wear well, since the natural nails under the gel polish are soft.

But remember that gel polish is not a strengthening agent; after you remove the beauty, your natural nail will be injured (always), it will need rest and care. Therefore, strengthening agents for gel polish are means for good manicure wear. And recipes for strengthening nails after gel polish are procedures that strengthen the nail.

Acrylic powder

This is the most common method that manicurists readily use to apply a durable coating with rhinestones and decor. Acrylic is widely used in the extension procedure as a durable, durable material. What can be achieved with acrylic powder.

1. Level the surface.
2. Transparent powder will not change the color of gel polish.
3. The manicure will be durable and wearable.

Acrylic powder is applied to the second layer of base and dried in an LED lamp. If for some reason you are using a simple ultraviolet lamp, then you need to dry the coating for 2 minutes, in an LED lamp for 30 seconds.

To make the nail smooth, the powder coating can be treated with a buff. A third layer of base is applied to the acrylic, dried, and covered with color. If you want to leave the nail natural, apply a top coat to the base and let it dry.

Strengthening nails under gel polish with biogel and base

Biogel is applied under a manicure, and, according to some masters, the coating strengthens the nail plate itself. I am skeptical about this coating; there are enough reviews that biogel does not provide any practical benefit to the nail, but increases the durability of the manicure.

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The simplest, most effective way to strengthen your nails with gel polish is to apply a base in several layers. The base from the manufacturer Rosalind showed good results. The cost of the bottle will surprise and delight you, see for yourself.

Popular questions and answers

Questions about strengthening nails are answered by manicurist and pedicurist, podiatrist Lyudmila Chalenko and teacher of the EMI School of Impeccable Manicure, winner of the South of Russia Championship in the salon modeling category Elena Enova .

Why do you need to strengthen your nails?

Lyudmila Chalenko: Of course, healthy and strong nails are, first of all, about beauty.
However, there are also medical indications for strengthening nails. Damaged nails are fertile ground for various types of infections, so you need to carefully monitor the nail plate. In addition, a healthy nail plate signals that your body is healthy and, on the contrary, if your nails are damaged, you should think about getting tested and visiting a therapist. Elena Enova:

Beautiful, well-groomed nails have always been an indicator of health and well-being, and today it is also an opportunity to complement a stylish look and express your individuality. Nail strengthening procedures prevent their destruction and restore strength. With the help of strengthening, you can grow your natural nails, which is difficult to do without proper nutrition and special procedures.

A thin, heterogeneous plate more often breaks and delaminates, which, of course, brings discomfort and can provoke inflammation. In more serious cases, not only the nail plate is damaged, but also the nail bed. The recovery and healing process turns out to be quite painful and lengthy.

What is the best way to strengthen thin nails?

Lyudmila Chalenko: The most important folk remedy is proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
Our body is very smart and shows itself if something is going wrong. As for more specific measures, I advise you to add a variety of nuts to your diet, practice sea salt baths and rub vitamin E into your nails. You can also do a special massage: stretch downwards towards the tip of your fingers with squeezing movements with the fingers of your other hand to improve blood circulation. It is important to remember that you should apply cream to your hands and nails not only after cleaning the apartment. Protection before cleaning is more important, because after applying the cream, it is more difficult for harmful substances to penetrate the film and cause damage.

Elena Enova:

It is better to strengthen thin nails with gel polish systems. They are rubbery and porous, resistant to moisture, which is also important, since thin nails release moisture, and other materials may not hold up. Using gel strengthening, you can restore deformed nails and lengthen the nail bed. This is especially true for those who have short hair or have a bad habit of biting their nails. Helps change the shape of the nail for the better.

For what reasons can nails become thin?

Lyudmila Chalenko: I would like to highlight two main types of damage.
The first is thin and peeling nails due to mechanical and chemical damage, for example, improperly done hardware manicure, removing gel polish yourself, etc. In this case, it is necessary to contact a specialist to identify the cause, extent of damage and prescribe the correct treatment. The second type is thin nails, inherited or congenital. In this case, the main assistant is proper nutrition, vitamins and minerals, daily moisturizing with any cuticle oil, which should be rubbed into the nail with massaging movements to improve blood circulation, growth and strengthening of nails.

Elena Enova:

Natural nails can become thinner due to exposure to household chemicals, vitamin deficiency in the body and chronic diseases. Most often, the nail plate also becomes thinner due to poor-quality nail modeling (cuts, detachments) and improper care.

Sources

1. E.D. Solovyova, K.V. Snimshchikova. Exogenous factors in the development of onychodystrophies. Clinical observation of changes in nail plates after prolonged exposure to cosmetic gel polish. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ekzogennye-faktory-v-razvitii-onihodistrofiy-klinicheskoe-nablyudenie-izmeneniya-nogtevyh-plastinok-posle-dlitelnogo-vozdeystviya
2. N.M. Kamilova, N.M. Sadikhov, Ch.S. Aliev. Diagnostic and prognostic value of studying the influence of zinc, copper and selenium on human health. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/diagnosticheskoe-i-prognosticheskoe-znachenie-izucheniya-vliyaniya-tsinka-medi-i-selena-na-sostoyanie-zdorovya-cheloveka
3. T.V. Karpova, I.L. Sukhareva. Satisfying the body's needs for biologically active substances. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/udovletvorenie-potrebnosti-organizma-v-biologicheski-aktivnyh-veschestvah
4. E.N. Tsurupa, L.P. Kotrekhova, N.V. Vasilyeva, K.I. Raznatovsky, G.A. Chilina, I.A. Ryabinin. Permanent decorative nail coatings are a risk factor for onychomycosis caused by nondermatomycetes. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/permanentnye-dekorativnye-pokrytiya-dlya-nogtey-faktor-riska-onihomikoza-vyzvannogo-nedermatomitsetami

Nail problems and their causes

Poor environment , past illnesses , unbalanced diet, housework without gloves , smoking, and a host of other reasons have a detrimental effect on the condition of the nail plate The most common problem with nails is their increased fragility: with the slightest blow, the nail literally comes off in its regrown part, sometimes very painfully.

Problematic yellow nails

In smokers with experience, the size of the holes changes downward, and the nails themselves become very yellow.

Often, seals, pits, and stripes appear on the nail plate. Delamination and cracks are also a very common problem, as a result of which it becomes impossible to build up and even a regular manicure using varnish. Experts note that such troubles are caused by poor diet , lifestyle, and contact with chemicals.

Often problems with nails are caused by low-quality varnishes, poor hand cosmetics or a complete lack of care.

Beeswax

Wax is a unique product for nails. It restores and protects against adverse effects. Regular use makes nails beautiful and healthy. You can use it either alone or mixed with base and essential oils. To do this, you need to melt it in a water bath and add the necessary ingredients. Then pour into a small container and let cool. The wax will thicken and can be rubbed into your nails.

Another option for quickly making your nails stronger with wax is a mask. The wax must be melted and your fingers immersed in it, and then in cold water so that the substance hardens. Leave for 30 minutes, then remove any remaining wax. This procedure has a beneficial effect not only on the nail plate, but also on the cuticle, nourishing and moisturizing it.

Lemon

Lemon juice is a very effective remedy for whitening and strengthening the nail plate. It is added to baths or rubbed in pure form. You can also wipe your nails with a slice of lemon and then wait until the juice is absorbed.

The big disadvantage of this method is that if there are wounds and cracks, the skin will sting very much. However, lemon, due to its high content of vitamin C, promotes rapid regeneration of damaged tissues.

Recommendations for maintaining healthy nails

Everyone wants well-groomed hands, and there are a number of tips for maintaining the beauty and health of nails:

File your nails carefully to avoid splitting.

• Do not file the nail plates in different directions so that they do not flake or break.
• Do not use nail polish removers containing acetone. They are cheap, but they destroy the protective layer of the nail.
• Don't cut the cuticle. It is better to carefully correct it after soaking your hands, because when cutting, the base of the nail is sure to be damaged.
• Do not use varnishes of poor quality, expired or those containing dibutyl phthalate.
• Before applying varnish, use a vitamin base.
• Do not wear polish for a long time (up to 7 days), be sure to give your nails a rest.


It is necessary to regularly use nail and hand creams

• Do not use clippers: they damage the nails.
• Do not file your nails immediately after a shower while they are still wet - this will make the nail plate brittle.
• Regularly use creams, oils, and other care products, and be sure to moisturize your nails.
• Do all housework with gloves.

Today, representatives of the fair sex have practically no problems with a beautiful manicure. New methods of nail plate extension from durable and safe materials have appeared; there are a lot of care products and cosmetic procedures that can make a manicure beautiful in a few sessions.

But, at the same time, today women have begun to massively abandon artificial nails, hair extensions and eyelashes. The fashion for a natural appearance is becoming more and more popular every year. Therefore, it is much more important to take care of your natural nails. Below we will look at 10 simple ways that will help strengthen your nails at home, enhance their growth and improve the condition of the nail plate in general.

Contrast baths.

The procedure is useful not only for strengthening the nail plate. Thanks to contrast baths, you can rejuvenate the skin of your hands, get rid of cuticle problems and enhance nail growth. The procedure is very simple. You will need 2 containers of water. In one container the water should be very warm, and in the other it should be ice cold. Alternately soak your hands in both baths for several minutes. The procedure is absolutely safe, has no contraindications and can be performed daily.

Salt baths.

Even schoolchildren know that sea salt is good for nails. It is rich in minerals, unlike table water. With the help of warm water, you will be able to improve the permeability of the skin and nail plate, thanks to which it will receive the necessary portion of nutrients for rapid growth and strengthening.

Oil massage.

Another effective way to strengthen the nail plate is an intense massage with castor oil. Massage the nail hole and the skin around the nails with circular, intense movements. Castor oil improves the elasticity of the nail plate and activates growth by accelerating regeneration processes.

Hot pepper.

It is not recommended to use hot pepper in its pure form, as it can easily burn the skin around the nails. As a rule, a juicy paste of fresh hot pepper is mixed with olive oil and rubbed into the skin around the nails and directly into the plate 2-3 times a week. Hot pepper has a powerful stimulating effect, thereby improving blood circulation and nutrition of the nail plate.

Honey masks.

In addition to the fact that honey strengthens the nail plate and returns it to a well-groomed and healthy appearance, this product is also used as a preventive and antifungal agent. The active substances contained in this product have a low molecular weight, so they easily penetrate the cells of the nail plate and skin, so the effect occurs after 2-3 procedures. Honey is applied with massage movements to the nail and surrounding skin, left for 15-20 minutes, and then thoroughly washed off with warm water and lubricated with moisturizer. To enhance the effect, you can wear light cotton gloves.

Gelatin reduction.

A very good way to strengthen and restore nails after acrylic or gel extensions. The fact is that gelatin is rich in collagen, a substance that is responsible for the elasticity of the nail plate, participates in the process of cell division and ensures rapid growth and a healthy appearance. Gelatin is dissolved in warm water or boiled, then applied overnight with a small brush, like nail polish. In the morning, you can remove the gelatin film, wash your hands and enjoy the beauty of your nails.

Fat-soluble vitamins.

Vitamins A and E dissolve only in a fatty environment, so they are sold in pharmacies in the form of oil solutions or capsules. There are drugs in which tocopherol and retinol are combined together. Such drugs can be used for emergency restoration and strengthening of nails. The oil mixture is applied with massage movements into the skin around the nail plate and into the nail. It is advisable to do the procedure at least 2 times a day, and the full recovery course is 14 days.

Iodine.

A classic and popular procedure is strengthening nails with an alcohol solution of iodine. Iodine is applied only to the nail plate, and the skin around it should not be lubricated with this solution so as not to get burned. It is best to apply iodine at night, after lubricating your hands with a rich, moisturizing cream. Overnight, the iodine will be absorbed, and the remainder will evaporate, and the appearance of the nails will not be affected. You can repeat the procedure no more than 2 times a week, because excess iodine can lead to serious negative consequences for health.

Cucumber juice.

The use of cucumber juice after nail extensions is highly recommended. Cucumber juice contains substances that promote cell renewal and restoration of the nail plate. The juice can be rubbed not only into the nail and the skin around it. It is also used for the entire skin of the hands - it produces a whitening and rejuvenating effect.

Herbal decoctions.

To strengthen nails, use chamomile, nettle and dry hop cones. All these herbs are taken in equal quantities, poured with boiling water and left until the water cools to 45-50 degrees. Place your hands in the warm solution for 10-15 minutes, after which they lubricate with nourishing cream. It is recommended to repeat the procedure at least 1-2 times a week.

Cream and oil

For women who constantly use household chemicals, the problem of brittle nails is very acute. To remedy the situation, it is important to moisturize your hands daily. A regular fatty cream or special oils are suitable for this. Shea butter is a real salvation for damaged nails. Good analogues are apricot kernel and olive oil.

Advice. This is rarely written about, but when choosing a hand cream, be sure to pay attention to the alcohol in the composition. It should not be at the very top of the list, otherwise the problem may get worse.

Salt

The number one remedy in the home medicine cabinet. You will need salt (1-2 tbsp) and half a liter of warm water. You need to prepare a solution and immerse your nails in it for 15-30 minutes. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, iodine or lemon juice.

It is best to take sea salt, as it is saturated with various microelements that are beneficial for the nail plate. But regular food grade food will do. Penetrating into the nail, it strengthens and makes it stronger.

Nail mask with gelatin

Gelatin can be supplemented with various components. The main thing is that the ingredients are combined with each other and are beneficial for the nails. One effective and simple recipe is a honey-lemon mixture.

You need to start preparing the mask mixture by soaking the dry gelatin. Half a teaspoon of powder is dissolved in warm water (30-40 ml). After 5-7 minutes, add 10 ml of lemon juice. You can supplement the composition with liquid honey (1 tsp).

The resulting product is rubbed into the nails with massaging movements. Leave for 20 minutes for better penetration of active substances. The session ends with washing off the remnants of the mask mixture and applying a nourishing cream. Course use of the mask requires procedures once a week for 1.5-2 months.

Products and vitamins

Let's consider what foods help make strong nails and what vitamins necessary for the body are contained in them. For example:

• Fatty fish are rich in vitamins B12, as well as Omega-3 amino acids.
• Vitamin B is also very important for healthy nails. It is found in liver, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, and brewer's yeast. Vitamin C is also important; it is found in berries, apples, citrus fruits, and greens.
• Beef, cheese, cashew nuts, and shrimp contain the essential trace element zinc.
• Selenium is found in black bread, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, herring, sea salt, and shrimp.
• Food rich in iodine will help prevent delamination and make them strong. This includes iodized salt, spinach, seaweed, and sea fish.
• Calcium, magnesium and protein are especially important. Calcium is a key micronutrient for healthy nails. It is found in cottage cheese, dairy products, fish, dried fruits, sesame seeds, almonds, poppy seeds, and hazelnuts.
• It is important to maintain a drinking regime, drink up to one and a half liters of water per day.
• Freshly squeezed juices are also useful: tomato, cabbage, celery juice, cucumber. They are rich in vitamins and microelements. Proper, balanced nutrition is the key to luxurious, long, strong nails.

How to restore nails at home

The dream of every girl, without exception, is long, strong nails. How to make them stronger if they are in poor condition:

1. Beauty and health of the body directly depend on nutrition. A proper, balanced diet will ensure good nail condition. Often the cause of increased fragility and thinness of nails is a lack of microelements and vitamins. You need to eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, cottage cheese, lean meat. You can also take a course of specialized vitamins to strengthen and grow nails.
2. If they are weak and break, there is no need to try to grow them back. As soon as they grow a little, cut them off immediately. It takes time for them to recover.
3. The habit of biting your nails only makes the situation worse. The plate usually begins to delaminate even more, so get rid of bad habits.
4. It is necessary to avoid frequent interaction with household products and water. This affects not only the nails, but also the skin of the hands. To reduce the harmful effects of detergents and water, wear thick silicone gloves. They will protect you.
5. After washing your hands, dry them thoroughly with a towel.
6. Make sure you get enough calcium. Eat sour milk, dairy products, fish, nuts.
7. It is necessary to eliminate stress and bad habits. The modern way of life is extremely dynamic and chaotic. If you are often nervous, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes - all this will affect the health of your nails. From excessive cigarette smoking, stress, and poor lifestyle, they turn yellow and become more brittle.

“After a series of procedures in a beauty salon, extensions, gel polish, as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle and diet, nails can become brittle, brittle, and thin.”

Lyudmila Ivanova