How to Get Stronger Fingernails
- 1). Avoid biting the nails and putting them in your mouth. This may seem like obvious advice, but some people tend to have a habit of biting on their fingernails, and this can be very damaging. Also if you constantly have your nails immersed in water, you may want to use a nail hardener to help strengthen them.
- 2). Be careful when going to a manicurist. Make sure that the nail technician uses sanitized tools when working on your nails, so that you do not get a nail infection transmitted by the use of unclean materials. Be aware that the use of false nails with acrylic overlays can weaken and damage the natural nails, especially if you get them often. Removing them can be just as damaging, if not more. They are soaked off with acetone and buffed, and this can weaken or damage your nails. Take special care if you decide to opt for acrylic nails.
- 3). Be aware that nail polish removers, especially those containing acetone, dry out your nails. Try not to remove fingernail polish too often. However, avoid leaving chipped polish on the nails. Completely remove polish that is peeling off, and re-polish nails or apply a nail hardener.
- 4). Coat nails with white iodine to strengthen them. While this can sometimes dry out the nails when used over a period of time, one option is to mix the iodine with olive or castor oil to help keep them moisturized. Use this mixture on the nails once a day for a week, then several times a week thereafter. An alternative is to soak the nails in plain olive oil for about 15 minutes a day, several times a week.
- 5). Take biotin supplements. This B-complex vitamin is recommended for strengthening hair and nails. According to the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for biotin is 300 micrograms daily. This is the dose used in many dietary supplements.
- 6). Filing the nails makes them weak. Clip the nails instead of filing them. Use an emery board if you wish to shape the nails.
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