It’s not easy to achieve the nails of your dreams. We all want strong, thick, beautiful nails.
But simply going about our lives can become a minefield of potentially nail-damaging situations. But it’s not impossible to get stronger nails.
A few tips and tricks can help to grow those beautiful nails you’ve always wished for.
Limit water exposure
Wear gloves when you wash dishes and don’t soak nails in the bath or pool for too long. Keep your nails outside the water for most of your soak.
But drink lots (and lots) of water
Hydration is key for beautiful skin, hair, and nails. Drink lots of water throughout the day, and you’ll feel and look better—all the way down to your hydrated cuticles and nails. A balanced diet that includes plenty of protein will also help improve nail health.
Be careful when cleaning
Exposure to chemicals and detergents can weaken your nails, so keep your nails protected during household chores by wearing gloves.
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Avoid using your nails as tools
Even something as quick as opening a soda can or scratching off a sticker puts pressure on the weakest part of your nail and can contribute to peeling and breakage.
Orange juice
Oranges help in collagen production. Collagen is an important agent that helps in nail growth and adds to the vitality of nails. The antioxidant properties of orange also keep any infections at bay. Take some orange juice in a bowl and soak your nails for around 10 minutes. Rinse it with warm water and moisturize effectively. Try to do this once a day at least for desired results.
Honey
Honey helps fight bacterial and fungal growth and can help keep your nails and cuticles nourished and supple. Create a honey and lemon nail mask by mixing 2 teaspoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice. Massage this into your nails and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly.
Try a DIY olive oil nail soak
Many people swear by soaking their fingers in olive oil to help strengthen nails naturally. Coconut oil, argan oil, vitamin E oil, tea tree oil, and castor oil can help in the same way. Pour little bit of oil into a bowl and soak each hand for 10 minutes. Massage the oil into your nail beds and cuticles to get the blood circulating. To really lock in the moisture, try soaking your nails at night and wearing gloves to bed.