Brittle Nails Causes (Why Do Fingernails Peel and Break)
It is very disappointing to see our mails breaking constantly. You may wonder what you have done to get such brittle nails. A lot depends on the nutrition you take in. There are many other reasons also for getting brittle nails.
Reasons Why Nails Break:
Always texting and typing:
Do you spend a lot of time on your phone texting or are you a workaholic and spend most part of your time typing on your laptop? Then your nails are bound to break. Under such conditions your nails take the brunt of your habit. The clickery-click sound that you hear when you type is the sound hat is produced when your nails hit against the dark surface. This can damage your nails to a great extent, leading to splitting or fraying of the edges. But you need not worry. The solution for this is to type with the top of your fingers, which means the fleshy part of your finger. If your nails are super long and you cannot do it as mentioned, then you will have to keep your nails short. This way you will be able to type easily and prevent your nails from breaking.
Applying the base coat first:
If you watch the nail tutorials, you will see that they advise you to apply the base coat first. But one thing you have to remember is to first apply the moisturizer. So, make sure that the first thing that you apply on your nails is the moisturizer. Then you can proceed with your manicure. This is because the base coat contains chemicals like ethyl acetate and butyl acetate. These can affect your nail plates and make them weaker and more brittle.
Don’t believe in taking nail supplements:
Most of us stay away from taking supplements. But supplements can be very effective in some cases. Biotin, a vitamin B, is a very effective supplement for the growth of nails and hair. Ingest 2.5 mg of biotin every day and this helps in making your nails stronger and reducing nail brittleness. You have to have it for about 6 to 9 months to get the best result. If your nail has started to peel, you should consult your doctor and he is sure to put you on biotin supplement.
Moisturizing nails is not your priority:
Moisturizing is essential for your skin as well as your nails. Just moisturizing your nails once a day is not enough. Try to moisturize your nails every time you wash your hands with hand wash or soap. Water and soap can make your skin get dry. If the skin below the cuticle gets dry, you may get dry and brittle nails. The solution for this problem is simple and easy. All you have to do is to keep a tiny bottle of an oil-free moisturizer with you. Use this whenever you can. So, by giving some extra care to your nails,. You can prevent brittle nails and get super shiny and healthy looking nails.
Using too much nail polish remover:
Many of you are unaware of the fact that nail polish remover is harmful to your nails. It contains acetone, which can strip off the natural oils on your nails and make your nails dry and brittle. Even those that do not contain acetone can be harmful, making your nails dry and brittle. So, make sure that you use as little nail polish remover as possible. This way you will be able to keep your nails from getting dry and brittle.
You are Anemic:
Another reason for brittle nails is that you may be anaemic. So, get a blood test done to make sure whether you are anaemic or not. When you are anaemic, your body lacks iron. Iron is essential for the formation of haemoglobin. It is the haemoglobin that is responsible for the transportation of blood cells that are rich in oxygen to all parts of the body. This includes your nails as well. If there is no proper circulation of blood in your nails, your nails may become brittle and stop growing properly. So, you should take this matter seriously and make sure that you follow a proper diet that includes foods rich in iron. You should also visit your doctor and ask if you can take iron supplements.
You aren’t bothered about removing nail polish:
Often you put on the nail polish, but do not bother to remove it, thinking that it will chip off on its own. This is not healthy for your nails. This is because nail polishes contain ingredients that are extremely drying. Even after the polish has dried, it can make your nails dry and brittle. The solution for this is to try and stay nail polish-free as much as you can. When you put on the nail polish, make sure that you remove it within a week. Another thing is to allow your nail to breathe in between.
You feel like water baby always:
Being in the water for most of the time can make your nails brittle. This can be an issue for the swimmers, who would like to spend a long time soaking in the tub. However, you can prevent your nails from breaking by limiting your exposure to water. Take care not to spend more than 30 minutes per day in water. It is also important that you moisturize your nails. This is very beneficial for keeping the nails from getting brittle.
So, now that you have seen some of the reasons for breaking of nails, make sure that you avoid such situations and keep your nails healthy and beautiful.