Well-groomed and beautiful nails, in addition to being beautiful, are synonymous with health. Although getting a manicure regularly, whether at home or at a beauty salon, greatly contributes to improving their appearance , the foundation for strong and healthy nails is largely based on proper nutrition.
There are nutrients that help strengthen some parts of our body, specifically if we talk about keratin - a component that forms both hair and nails -, so a diet that includes vitamins A and B It is the best pillar for nails to grow properly. In addition to nutrition, there is also Abusive practices that damage our nails , from overusing nail polish to excessive hygiene.
Soft nails, flaking, or ridges are more common than we think and are often caused by bad habits, although genetics also play a significant role, as does age. Furthermore, thanks to the shape, color or condition of the nails You can perceive some health problems beyond a calcium deficiency. Sometimes we don't know how to identify what's happening to us, so we apply remedies that make the situation worse. The type of break gives us a lot of information about what's happening to the nail and how to treat it. If you're a little lost and looking for solutions, we have the perfect guide here. Tell me how your nails break, and I'll tell you how to fix it.
My nails are too soft and brittle.
Overly soft nails, beyond cracking, can indicate health problems or pathologies, and in severe cases, they can be caused by a hematological disorder or low blood sugar. BUT DON'T WORRY. The most common cause is overuse of aggressive manicures, using acetone and instruments that disrupt the proper formation of the nail plate.
Additionally, if you follow a diet that lacks protein or is low in vitamins A and B, which contribute to the production of keratin that makes up the nail, it also leads to brittle nails.
To prevent breakage, the nail must be strengthened and nourished so that the new nail that grows in grows back healthy. The best way to prevent breakage is to apply a hardener that provides vitamins to the nail, helping to repair it so it grows stronger. Lola Barcelona's Nail Hardener Treatment is formulated with a complex of ingredients known for their hardening properties, such as Arginine , Tea Tree Oil , and Vitamin E , and enriched with diamond powder, known for its restorative properties. If you want a colored treatment, we suggest the Nail Hardener Naked , which strengthens the nail a little more than the previous treatment and leaves the nail with an incredible nude color.
If you have very soft nails, we recommend taking a break of at least one week. Apply Nail Hardener to unpolished nails for 4 days, touching it up a bit daily. On the fourth day, remove the product and let your nails breathe for 24 to 48 hours, repeating the same process until you see improvement. IMPORTANT : Do not apply it for more than a month at a time, as excessively hard nails can also cause breakage (more on this later). It's also a good idea to apply a moisturizer to your hands, cuticles, and nails.
My nails are peeling and breaking in layers.
Beyond brittleness resulting from a hematological problem, nails can also break layer by layer, flaking off. This type of breakage is age-related and most commonly occurs after the age of 50.
Another very common cause is the use of chemicals and soaps, the water temperature, or the constant repetition of washing, which contribute to weakening and cracking the nail. This puts a lot of wear on the hands, since those of us who wash by hand do so at least twice a day. The solution? Washing gloves.
This can also be caused by a calcium deficiency , poor hydration , or nail biting. In this case, we recommend prioritizing hydration. A nail and cuticle oil will help deeply nourish your nails and cuticles. Use it twice a day, morning and night.
You can also apply Nail Hardener three times a week to unpolished nails, letting them breathe. Avoid using low-quality or cheap nail polishes because they may contain chemicals that are harmful to nails and weaken them. These types of nail polishes also don't last much longer, so you spend more.
I have ridges, the base of the nail is very uneven
A healthy nail is smooth and free of any bumps. For example, the common Beau's lines that usually appear near the cuticle are due to unprofessional cuticle removal. These lines are the indentations that form in the nail bed. hollows that make the nail look uneven . This can be seen by running your fingertips over the nail or by painting it. Remove or removing cuticles - Russian manicure If it is not done properly and is done by applying too much pressure, it ends up altering the nail growth process.
Other possible causes of these lines are fever or serious medical conditions. It's also common to find these types of depressions, in this case along the length of the nail rather than across it. These are called stretch marks . These vertical lines usually have a significant genetic component and appear over the years .
The solution, my friends, in the case of a very aggressive manicure, is to wait for the new nail to grow out, and if you want, apply a good smoothing base to protect the one you already have and hide any irregularities. For that, we have the Ridge Filler Cotton Treatment , a smoothing base. Perfect hold, smooths the surface of the nails thanks to its ultra-fine spherical particles. It is enriched with pumpkin extract, providing the vitamin E contained in its seeds, promoting cell regeneration and with an antioxidant effect.
My nails are too hard, they break and crack.
This type of nail is more common among men, although some women also have them, although much less pronounced. Overly hard nails are mainly due to a excess calcium , so it is not a good symptom either.
The nail by nature should be Flexible , and as we've seen in previous posts, it should have a certain degree of hardness, but excessive hardness is not recommended. The main problem with this type of nail is that filing or cutting, and even small impacts, can easily break the nail, creating a crack.
If the callus is very severe, it's essential to see a specialist who can help us find a balanced diet and provide a proper diagnosis. You can also use products like nail and cuticle oil. For this, we recommend an oil like Chloe .
Nails change color: yellow, white spots...
The change in color or the appearance of spots on the nail are mostly related to bad habits. The white spots that appear on the nail are simply minor everyday bumps. We inflict them on the area closest to the cuticle. A simple tapping of a pen can cause them, and they have no effect on the nail. If they're larger, the AEDV indicates they may indicate cirrhosis or kidney failure.
However, if your nails are yellow , it's not so easy to know why. The repeated and constant use of nail polish - even more so if you don't use it a primer before applying the color , such as Base Coat or Ridge Filler Cotton , and the presence of fungi can alter the color of the nail.
The nail polish color can penetrate the nail and stain it, hence the importance of using a base coat. Another collateral damage is Loss of shine and softness . Yellowing can also occur as a result of psoriasis or due to tobacco, specifically the tar present in cigarettes.
What can help us solve this on an aesthetic level?
Lemon juice: Squeeze a lemon into a container, soak your hands in it for 5 minutes, and let it sit. Afterward, it's important to wash your hands, as it could stain your skin. You can use hydrogen peroxide, which, in addition to helping remove stains , also works as an antiseptic that can kill fungus. Another option is baking soda: Mix it with water until you get a paste. Apply it with a toothbrush. each nail and let it sit for a few minutes. Another great tip is to make a mixture with lemon , baking soda , and olive oil , the latter to moisturize your hands.
Avoid breakage with good practices
Rather than seeking cosmetics or anti-breakage practices, we should focus on strengthening the nail to prevent future problems. The AEDV experts recommend Use moisturizing treatments such as hand creams, as they soften the cuticle , which improves nail growth. However, the effects take time to become visible due to the slow growth of the nail, specifically 1 to 2 millimeters per month.
Also avoid exposing your nails to high temperatures, avoid keeping your hands submerged in water for a prolonged period of time or spacing out manicures, even taking breaks in the case of semi-permanent manicures is highly recommended.
We hope this has helped you, but if you think you need more personalized advice, don't hesitate to write to us on social media or via WhatsApp, where we will be happy to assist you (676 754 061).
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