Long nails are cute, but healthy nails are what actually make them last. If your nails are thin, yellow, peeling, or always breaking, here is how to grow healthy nails from the root.
1. Healthy Nails Start Inside
Your nails are made of keratin, same as hair. If your body lacks nutrients, your nails will show it first.In order to grow healthy nails one is expected to eat these daily.
– Protein: Foods like eggs, beans, chicken, fish builds nail strength
– Biotin: Avocado, eggs, nuts, sweet potatoes contain biotin which is the most important vitamin for nail growth.
– Iron: This helps to prevent pale, brittle nails. Iron giving foods include spinach, red meat, lentils
– Zinc: Zinc prevents and stops white spots on the nail.Good sources of zinc are pumpkin seeds, and chickpea
– Water: Dehydrated nails crack easily.You are expected to take 2 to 2.5 liters daily.
2. The Daily Healthy Nail Routine
Every Morning wash your hands gently and apply hand cream.Do not leave your cuticles dry.
At night, this is when nails repair. Remove polish properly with non-acetone remover.
Massage with cuticle oil for 30 seconds and you are ready for bed.
Do this every day for 21 days and you will see a big difference.
3.Habits That Make Nails Unhealthy
-Cutting cuticles.They protect you from infection. Instead of cutting push them back gently after a shower.
– peelling gel/acrylic. Always soak off, don’t peel.
– Use of nails as tools.No opening soda cans with nails. They aren’t designed for such purposes.
– filling back and forth.Instead of back and forth file in one direction, only with a soft file.
– Washing without gloves.Wear gloves when washing plates, using bleach, or cleaning.
4. Keep Nails Clean and Shaped
– It is very important to trim nails regularly, don’t let them grow uneven.
– The best healthy shape is the Squoval (square + oval) because it breaks less.
– Always clean under nails with a soft brush, not sharp objects.
– Let nails breathe.Try to give them 1 week break between gel extensions
5. Simple DIY Treatments for Healthy Nails
A. Olive Oil + Lemon Soak (2x per week)
Warm 2 tbspof olive oil + few drops lemon juice. Soak 5 mins. Lemon brightens the nail and oil strengthens it.
B. Garlic Strengthener
Add 1 crushed garlic to clear polish, let sit 24hrs, remove garlic. Use as base coat twice a week.
