As you can tell by now, it's not possible to create naturally thicker nails. The good news is that polish can add temporary thickness and strength. It also protects your nails from water absorption.
Applying a nail hardener might help strengthen nails. Ask your doctor about biotin. Some research suggests that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails.
Soak your nails in a mixture of three tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice for 10 minutes. Follow this home treatment for about 10 minutes every day to strengthen your nails. Simply applying warm olive oil to the ends of your nails also serves as an effective treatment to grow your nails.
Soft or weak
These nails break easily or bend before snapping. Soft nails might be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals — think detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish remover. Weak nails might also be associated with a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids.
Yes, toothpaste! Whitening toothpaste, when applied, can lighten and brighten your nails in just a few short minutes. The same clinically proven natural whitening ingredients in products such as Tom's of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste can double as a treatment for surface stains on nails.
In fact, many already apply Vaseline to their cuticles as a soothing, healing medicine when dry or cracked. Turns out, it's also a great help when painting your own nails if applied on your cuticles or any skin surrounding your nail.
Take biotin
Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that allows the body to turn food into energy. It's also highly recommended as a supplement to help boost the strength of hair and nails. Several human studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen nails.
“When gels or acrylics are removed, sometimes they aren't soaked for long enough and as a result, a layer of nail is scraped off with the product,” Hanna says. This usually makes nails thin, bendy, and prone to breakage — three of my top concerns.
Everything from aging to poor nutrition can make your nails dry, thin, and easy to break. There are also some treatments and medical conditions that can make them brittle. But you don't have to put up with the problem. The right care can make all the difference in keeping your nails healthy and strong.
Use some cardboard to hold the nail if you're worried about hitting your fingers… Try keeping a hold of the nail (if you dare!) and (relatively gently) tap the nail until it's about a quarter of its length in, then the nail will be sturdy and less likely to bend if you slightly miss-hit it; mind your fingers though…
The Duri Rejuvacote 1 is our favorite and can be used on its own or as a base and topcoat. Both the Sally Hansen Mega Strength Hardener and the Orly Nail Defense Nail Strengthener are top drugstore buys, while the Essie Treat Love & Color is ideal for those who want to bolster their nails but still keep them polished.
A cult-favorite, Quimica Alemana is a nail strengthener from Colombia that is known for its intense formula — it's a polish that many reviewers say has done more to strengthen their weak, peeling, brittle nails than any other product, but that actually comes with a few words of caution.
Add Strength to Your Nails
"Coconut oil is great for treating brittle and cracked nails as well as damaged cuticles because of its moisturizing properties," says Markowitz. "It's an ideal skin barrier that contains multiple fatty acids, which act as transepidermal water loss barriers."
A lotion with lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acid may soothe your nail area. Some people use a layer of clear nail polish to protect cracked nails. To prevent more splits, wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when your hands are in water. Gently file down any nail snags or uneven edges so they don't lead to more cracks.
Biotin is a B-complex vitamin, also known as vitamin B7, coenzyme R and vitamin H. It promotes healthy cell growth and aids in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids that are essential for nail growth. Biotin-rich foods and supplements may help strengthen your brittle fingernails.
Thin nails
If you are an avid acrylic fiend, your nails will be filed down frequently and won't leave much time for regrowth and healing. Thin nails are prone to tears and peeling which is not only a bad look but can take a while to repair.
On top of keeping cuticles healthy, olive oil can actually help your nails grow. “Because of the rich vitamin E olive oil contains, it is extremely moisturizing and easily absorbed, which makes it great for nail growth,” says Russak.