Why your nails are breaking—and what to do about it

After years of getting nail extensions, my nails had mainly given up on me. They had been skinny, flimsy, they usually bent on the slightest stress (like paper that had been via one too many artwork tasks). So I made a decision to do one thing radical and truly give them a break. No extensions, no gels, no polish, no shortcuts. Just six full months of intentional nail rehab.

And belief me, I’m critical this time. Serious sufficient to stroll round bare-nailed (with cuticle oil in my bag, after all) and decide to giving my nails the type of care I usually reserve for my pores and skin.

What I discovered alongside the way in which? Nail breakage isn’t nearly polish selections. It’s an entire system—your habits, your merchandise, and even your food regimen. And in case your nails are cracking, peeling, or splitting on repeat, you’re not alone.

It’s extra than simply the polish

Let’s begin with the largest delusion: that nail polish alone is the issue. Yes, layering gels and acrylics again to again with out pause can put on down your nail plate however even the removing course of, particularly when rushed or achieved improperly, can do extra injury than the polish itself. Acetone-based removers are notoriously drying, stripping the nail of its pure oils and weakening the keratin construction.

But even “gentle” removers may be damaging when used steadily. I used to be responsible of utilizing remover greater than as soon as per week—satisfied that protecting polish contemporary made all of it look more healthy. In reality, I used to be solely masking the decline.

Beyond remover, how we deal with our nails every day has a cumulative impact. Most individuals wouldn’t dream of skipping moisturizer on their face but the typical particular person utterly ignores their nails except one thing breaks. Dry nails are brittle nails, and that dryness results in the type of micro-cracks that make your polish chip early and your nails snap mid-typing.

Once I made cuticle oil a part of my routine, I may see the distinction—not simply in hydration, but additionally in texture, power, and even development.

Beyond remover, how we deal with our nails every day has a cumulative impact. Most individuals wouldn’t dream of skipping moisturizer on their face but the typical particular person utterly ignores their nails except one thing breaks

And then there’s submitting. Before my nail rehab, I used to be utilizing no matter nail file I had mendacity round, usually an outdated, coarse emery board from some long-lost manicure equipment. I filed haphazardly, backwards and forwards, in each course. What I didn’t understand was that I used to be creating tiny tears with each sawing movement, inflicting the nail to separate and peel days later.

Switching to a fine-grit glass file and solely submitting in a single course helped me keep form with out compromising construction. It seems like a small change, nevertheless it made a giant distinction in how my nails appeared and held up between trims.

Nail power begins from inside

Topical remedies can solely go to this point; true nail well being begins with what’s occurring contained in the physique. Brittle, slow-growing, or simply broken nails could also be indicators of dietary deficiencies, significantly in biotin, iron, zinc, or protein.

Since nails are made primarily of keratin—a sort of protein—sustaining a protein-rich food regimen is crucial for robust, wholesome development. Foods like eggs, leafy greens, fatty fish similar to salmon, and nuts are all full of nail-supportive vitamins that assist reinforce the nail matrix from inside.

For an additional enhance, take into account incorporating a every day collagen complement into your routine. Collagen comprises amino acids that contribute to keratin manufacturing and will assist scale back nail brittleness over time. While outcomes received’t be instantaneous, constant dietary assist can result in seen enhancements in texture, power, and resilience—much less flaking, fewer ridges, and a naturally wholesome shine. When paired with common hydration and mild care, this dietary assist creates the perfect basis for long-term nail power.

But what made the largest distinction, actually, was giving my nails time to relaxation. I by no means realized how a lot injury was accumulating from consistently overlaying them up. Even minimal gels, which I as soon as thought-about “safe,” contain buffing and layers that stop your nail from ever totally respiration. By month two of staying naked, I seen much less peeling. By month 4, I noticed new development coming in more healthy, with a clean texture I hadn’t seen in years. By month six, I may lastly go a day with out cuticle oil and never really feel like one thing was lacking.

There’s nothing unsuitable with loving an excellent manicure—belief me, I nonetheless do. But I’ve discovered to think about nail care the identical approach I consider skincare: as one thing that wants steadiness

There’s nothing unsuitable with loving an excellent manicure—belief me, I nonetheless do. But I’ve discovered to think about nail care the identical approach I consider skincare: as one thing that wants steadiness. Just like your face can’t at all times be below full glam with out the occasional reset, your nails want day off, time to get better and time to be taken care of with out embellishment.

The outcomes? Stronger, more healthy nails that truly last more once you do resolve to return to paint. And that, to me, is definitely worth the naked section.