Our Esthetician's Best Tips To Improve Your Nail Strength

Everyone has faced dry, peeling, or brittle fingernails at some point or another, whether that be due to frequent hand washing or manicures. Oftentimes, a solid nail oil or moisturizer will do the trick, but in some cases, weak or damaged nails require more extensive treatment. During an exclusive interview with Gregory Dylan, a licensed esthetician of 25 years and owner of Gregory Dylan Skincare, we learned several helpful tips to revive your nails, including adopting a simple nail care routine and taking extra precautions to protect your nails from irritants.

According to Dylan, following these expert recommendations will help rebuild nail strength caused by the major culprits of brittle nails. "Nails can become weak due to multiple reasons," Dylan explains to Glam. "Some of the more common causes are frequent exposure to harsh chemicals like household cleaning products, applications of artificial nails without any breaks in between, overuse of acetone-based polish removers, and nutritional deficiencies." Many people will find that their nails are subjected to a combination of factors, making it difficult to nurse their fingertips back to health. However, caring for your hands and delicate fingernails can do wonders for your nails, and these simple tips will help you rebuild that strength in no time.

One of the secrets to strong nails is to keep your nail bed healthy and cared for, and the best way to do this is by keeping your fingernails moisturized. "Using a good hand and nail cream a few times a day, especially after washing your hands, will keep the cuticles soft and supple and provide nutrients to the nail bed," esthetician Gregory Dylan shares exclusively with Glam. "My go-to all-time favorite is Clarins Jeunesse des Mains, it's a classic." To maintain moisturized skin and nails, Dylan also suggests "wearing gloves when using any harsh cleaning materials," such as sprays, detergents, and wipes, which he says is "a simple preventative step, but often overlooked."

What's more, Dylan recommends giving your nails a break in between acrylic nails and gel manicures. "While gels are fabulous and so long lasting, giving the nails a chance to breathe and go 'au naturel' for a week here and there is a great way to maintain nail health. This is also a great time to use a fortifying nail treatment to boost strength," he adds, for which he recommends the Opi Nail Envy strengthening formula. 

Dylan also lets us in on another nail care secret: vitamins. "A hair and nail vitamin is an easy option to pop into your supplement routine," he says. "There's tons of options at reasonable prices and they do help maintain strong and healthy hair and nails." Look for supplements that contain biotin to help you strengthen and grow out your natural nails.

In most cases, implementing these nail care habits into your beauty routine will slowly but surely improve your nail strength. However, there are certain warning signs to watch for that may prevent your nails from healing. "When nails start to become brittle and split, show any strange marks under the nail bed, or when around or under the nail starts to look inflamed or irritated, then that's a good sign to have your doctor look at them as there may be an underlying issue that needs more serious attention," experienced esthetician Gregory Dylan explains to Glam during an exclusive chat. 

Therefore, keep an eye out for any inflammation or the sudden appearance of irritation, especially if you aren't seeing any progress with your nail routine. For instance, dark lines, deep cracks, and raw peeling skin around the fingernails are all signs of unhealthy nails that warrant a closer look by a professional. Your nails can tell you a great deal about your health, and like any other part of your body they reveal the level of care and hygiene that you maintain. Investing your time and effort into developing a consistent nail care routine should put you on the right path to strong nails.