5 Things You’re Doing that Can Damage Your Fingernails

A woman’s beauty isn’t all in her face; part of a woman’s beauty is her hands as well. You probably use treatments such as moisturizers to help keep your fingernails looking healthy and attractive. You may use other products like fingernail polish or fake nails to enhance their beauty too. Sometimes, even when you’re trying to do the right thing, it’s not. Other times, you may be doing things without thinking that are detrimental to your nails. Read this informative article and find out 5 things you’re doing that can damage your fingernails.

1. Using Paint-On Fingernail Hardeners

There are no topical products on the market that have been proven to actually strengthen fingernails, according to Dr. Vic A. Narurkar, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UC Davis Medical School, in Sacramento, California. Most of the products contain formaldehyde. This toxic chemical can irritate your skin, as well as make your nails brittle and prone to breakage. You’re better off taking a biotin supplement to strengthen them.

2. Exposing Your Nails to Harmful Chemicals

If you don’t put on a pair of gloves before you start cleaning the house- or even washing the dishes- then your fingernails are going to show it. Cleaners and other household chemicals dry-out your nails and cause them to crack and split. Exposing them to plain water for long periods of time does the same.

Keep your fingernails dry and clean, and moisturize them daily. This will also help prevent bacteria and fungus from growing underneath your nails.

3. Wearing Fake Fingernails for Too Long

Another thing you’re doing that can damage your fingernails is, wearing acrylic nails all the time. While these are considered to be safe to wear, your nails need to breathe. Covering them up can trap moisture in between the layers. This moisture, combined with warmth, can lead to health problems such as nail fungus and bacterial infection. Wearing acrylic nails is fine as long as you remove them (or have them removed by a professional manicurist) periodically so your natural ones can breathe.

4. Using Nail Polish Remover Too Often

Nail polish removers, especially the brands that contain acetone, contain harsh chemicals. Acetone dries your fingernails out. Nail polish remover isn’t good for your cuticles or skin either. Even if you use an acetone-free brand, limit your use to once a week to help prevent irritation and damage, according to the mayoclinic.com.

5. Using Your Fingernails as Tools

Common daily tasks such as opening a can of soda pop, scraping off glue residue or picking up items with your nails can harm them. To help keep them healthy and strong, avoid using your fingernails like they are tools. Don’t use them to pick, poke or scrape with to avoid stress, injury, splitting and breakage.

Resources

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nail-care/fix-problem-fingernails

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/6840/1/Tips-on-How-to-Grow-Long-Healthy-Nails.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nail-fungus/DS00084/DSECTION=prevention

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nails/WO00020/NSECTIONGROUP=2