Brittle nails are usually not associated with a medical disease.
Brittle fingernails are a common condition, occurring in about 20 % of people; more women than men develop brittle nails.
Brittle nails usually break or peel off in horizontal layers, starting at the nail's free end.
Brittleness in the nail may be caused by trauma, such as repeated wetting and drying, repeated exposure to detergents and water, and excessive exposure to harsh solvents, such as those found in nail polish remover. Other possible causes include skin diseases ( psoriasis , lichen planus, alopecia areata) as well as endocrine disorders, tuberculosis, Sjogren's syndrome syndrome, and malnutrition.
The incidence of brittle nails in the European and North American population is approximately 20%, and women suffer from nail brittleness twice as often as men.
People who clean on a frequent basis will often have brittle nails, unless they take the necessary steps to protect themselves from being susceptible to such a nail condition.
Brittle nails are more of a problem for women with lower estrogen levels. Just as lower estrogen levels are know to cause dry, brittle hair and skin, it has a similar effect on nails.
Dry, brittle nails are a problem that many women face. Nails dry out in the winter time because of intense hand washing to stay healthy and all the dry air that is around because of heaters.
Healthy Nutrition helps maintain your fingernail health and remedy dry, brittle nails. A deficiency in B-complex vitamins, especially biotin, will produce ridges
along the nail bed. A diet lacking in calcium contributes to dry, brittle nails. Several vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the prevention of brittle nails. Calcium-rich foods include all dairy foods, especially yogurt, dark green leafy vegetables, almonds, beans, and sardines. A lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails. Insufficient dietary essential oils, like omega-3, cause cracking.
Use nail polish remover no more than once a week. Avoid nail polish removers with acetone and remove nail polish at most once a week. You can always touch up your nails during the week if your nail polish chips.
Cosmetic moisturizers provide immediate relief of dryness but last only while they are applied. For people with mild or intermittent brittle nails, a cosmetic moisturizer may be enough to keep the skin from feeling dry. Therapeutic moisturizers have been shown to act as a barrier that keeps water from evaporating from the nails.
Use a glass file or an emery board instead of a metal nail file. Also, make sure you file only in one direction.
Dry, Brittle Nails Nutrition Tips
1. Use nail polish remover no more than once a week.
2. Avoid nail polish removers with acetone.
3. Wear gloves.
4. Avoid prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming.
5. Avoid exposure to chemicals that irritate the skin and nails.
6. Use hand lotion on your nails, too. Rub it in after you wash your hands or take a shower.
7. Several vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the prevention of brittle nails.
8. Use a glass file or an emery board instead of a metal nail file.
Showing posts with label natural nail treatments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural nail treatments. Show all posts
Thursday
Nail Care FAQs #101 - Q & A
Q. My natural nails are fairly long and strong, however, when they reach a certain length, they break. What can I do to keep them from breaking?
To maintain the length of your natural nails, you may want to think about having a fiberglass overlay applied to them. During this procedure a thin layer of fiberglass is brushed on to the natural nail, creating a strong protective coating to help prevent breakage. Fiberglass overlays do require regular maintenance though (a fill every two weeks), so if you are not willing to commit to this, look for professional products containing natural proteins and strengtheners such as calcium. OPI Nail Treatments like Nail Envy® are a sure bet to healthly beautiful nails.
Q. Is it true that eating Jello will make your nails stronger?
First of all, it is not actually Jello, but the gelatin ingredient in it which you are referring to. Secondly, while gelatin can improve the overall health of your nails, you could not possibly consume enough to make a substantial difference. Your nails do not receive a concentrated amount of gelatin because once absorbed into the blood stream it is distributed to different areas of the body (hair, nails, etc), wherever it is needed most. If you are looking to strengthen your natural nails, look into getting a fiberglass overlay or investing in some natural nail fortifying products at a salon in your area
Q. Is it possible to get AIDS or any other types of infectious diseases if the implements being used for my manicure are not properly sterilized between customers?
Yes, there is the possibility of contracting a disease like AIDS if the tools are not cleaned but it is not probable. When you are working with blood, if there is blood on the implements there is the chance of contracting AIDS but the chances are pretty slim. The most common infections contracted would be Hepatitis and Tuberculosis since the virus lives longer and is much stronger. Beauty Store Tip: You should ask your Nail technician to sanitize and disinfect their tools and their working area prior to working on you to thoroughly kill bacteria. If they are offended - go elsewhere!
Q. Can you suggest any methods to help me stop biting my nails?
Nail extensions and regular manicures are the best remedy for nail biters. Nail extensions will not only make your hands look nicer, but will also prevent you from biting nails each time you bring your hand to your mouth. If you don't want to apply extensions, you may want to try one of the anti-nail biting products. The clear liquid is applied to the nail like polish, but leaves a foul taste in the mouth after you bite your nails.
Q. Why is it that when I get a pedicure sometimes the nail polish doesn't effectively dry?
It is commonly thought because feet are naturally a little colder than hands, it takes longer for polish to dry. Another reason toes may not dry completely is because of the natural oils found in the nail plate. If there is any trace of oils, whether they be natural or from the pedicure treatment itself (lotions, paraffin wax), polish will not dry. Beauty Store tip: Make sure you completely dehydrate toe nails of excess oils before applying polish.
Q. What is the best shape to try to achieve with my nails?
Nails should complement your hand size and cuticle shape. Fashion is showing very long, pointed nails this season, but this dramatic length and shape isn't for everyone. Nails should be tailored to suit each individual, regardless of what fashion dictates.
Before proceeding with shaping your nails, carefully analyze your finger length and thickness, hand size and cuticle shape then follow these guidelines:
1.) Long, rounded, almond tips are the perfect match for petite hands and fingers.
2.) Active-length squovals complement fingers that are long and slim, or short and stocky.
3.) Heavy-set hands and wide nail beds look best with squared-off extensions.
4.) If the cuticle is oval, go with an oval nail, if it is square, create a squoval nail.
Q. I am confused about caring for my cuticles, what should I do?
Although it is tempting to trim, the health implications of cutting cuticles may convince you to think before reaching for your cuticle nippers. The cuticle prevents bacteria from entering the lunula, the whitish area at the nail plate's base, by sealing off the potential space between the root of the nail and the skin. By removing the cuticle, the newly forming nail is left unprotected and vulnerable to infection. Never cut the cuticle: instead push it back gently with a rosewood stick, Hindo stone or rubber-tip cuticle pusher.
Strong cuticle growth should be controlled with a cuticle softener or cuticle remover liquid. The only time you should ever cut is if the cuticle is extremely hard, dry and sticking straight up, but you must be careful not to cut the entire cuticle.
Submitted by: Mickhael Cannon
In your Service - Best Beauty Supply Store Cosmetology Staff
To maintain the length of your natural nails, you may want to think about having a fiberglass overlay applied to them. During this procedure a thin layer of fiberglass is brushed on to the natural nail, creating a strong protective coating to help prevent breakage. Fiberglass overlays do require regular maintenance though (a fill every two weeks), so if you are not willing to commit to this, look for professional products containing natural proteins and strengtheners such as calcium. OPI Nail Treatments like Nail Envy® are a sure bet to healthly beautiful nails.
Q. Is it true that eating Jello will make your nails stronger?
First of all, it is not actually Jello, but the gelatin ingredient in it which you are referring to. Secondly, while gelatin can improve the overall health of your nails, you could not possibly consume enough to make a substantial difference. Your nails do not receive a concentrated amount of gelatin because once absorbed into the blood stream it is distributed to different areas of the body (hair, nails, etc), wherever it is needed most. If you are looking to strengthen your natural nails, look into getting a fiberglass overlay or investing in some natural nail fortifying products at a salon in your area
Q. Is it possible to get AIDS or any other types of infectious diseases if the implements being used for my manicure are not properly sterilized between customers?
Yes, there is the possibility of contracting a disease like AIDS if the tools are not cleaned but it is not probable. When you are working with blood, if there is blood on the implements there is the chance of contracting AIDS but the chances are pretty slim. The most common infections contracted would be Hepatitis and Tuberculosis since the virus lives longer and is much stronger. Beauty Store Tip: You should ask your Nail technician to sanitize and disinfect their tools and their working area prior to working on you to thoroughly kill bacteria. If they are offended - go elsewhere!
Q. Can you suggest any methods to help me stop biting my nails?
Nail extensions and regular manicures are the best remedy for nail biters. Nail extensions will not only make your hands look nicer, but will also prevent you from biting nails each time you bring your hand to your mouth. If you don't want to apply extensions, you may want to try one of the anti-nail biting products. The clear liquid is applied to the nail like polish, but leaves a foul taste in the mouth after you bite your nails.
Q. Why is it that when I get a pedicure sometimes the nail polish doesn't effectively dry?
It is commonly thought because feet are naturally a little colder than hands, it takes longer for polish to dry. Another reason toes may not dry completely is because of the natural oils found in the nail plate. If there is any trace of oils, whether they be natural or from the pedicure treatment itself (lotions, paraffin wax), polish will not dry. Beauty Store tip: Make sure you completely dehydrate toe nails of excess oils before applying polish.
Q. What is the best shape to try to achieve with my nails?
Nails should complement your hand size and cuticle shape. Fashion is showing very long, pointed nails this season, but this dramatic length and shape isn't for everyone. Nails should be tailored to suit each individual, regardless of what fashion dictates.
Before proceeding with shaping your nails, carefully analyze your finger length and thickness, hand size and cuticle shape then follow these guidelines:
1.) Long, rounded, almond tips are the perfect match for petite hands and fingers.
2.) Active-length squovals complement fingers that are long and slim, or short and stocky.
3.) Heavy-set hands and wide nail beds look best with squared-off extensions.
4.) If the cuticle is oval, go with an oval nail, if it is square, create a squoval nail.
Q. I am confused about caring for my cuticles, what should I do?
Although it is tempting to trim, the health implications of cutting cuticles may convince you to think before reaching for your cuticle nippers. The cuticle prevents bacteria from entering the lunula, the whitish area at the nail plate's base, by sealing off the potential space between the root of the nail and the skin. By removing the cuticle, the newly forming nail is left unprotected and vulnerable to infection. Never cut the cuticle: instead push it back gently with a rosewood stick, Hindo stone or rubber-tip cuticle pusher.
Strong cuticle growth should be controlled with a cuticle softener or cuticle remover liquid. The only time you should ever cut is if the cuticle is extremely hard, dry and sticking straight up, but you must be careful not to cut the entire cuticle.
Submitted by: Mickhael Cannon
In your Service - Best Beauty Supply Store Cosmetology Staff
Monday
Stop Nail Biting And Follow These 10 Tips for Beautiful Nails
By: Sherry Merrill
You made the decision to stop nail biting. As your nails grow out, you want to keep them healthy and good-looking. To get you started here are 10 tips to grow your nails out into beautiful nails.
1. Your nails were not meant to be screwdrivers. As your nails grow longer and stronger, you'll think about using your nails to help pick and pry things open.
Scraping a price tag off a purchase with your nail may seem easy. Unfortunately it stresses the nail leading to broken nails. Use a knife to remove the tag.
2. Protect your hands and nails like models do. Wear rubber gloves for cleaning and washing dishes. Detergents, cleaning supplies, soap and dishwater dry out your nails, which causes breaks and peeling.
3. Moisturize your cuticles to avoid hangnails. Keep a small container of cuticle oil or moisturizer by your bed. Every night before you go to sleep generously apply the oil or moisturizer to your cuticles.
4. Rough edges on your nails can be annoying. File the rough edge, don't bite it off. Buy a package of emery boards. Place the emery boards in various places throughout your house; in your desk drawer at work and in your purse. So if a rough nail catches on something you're prepared.
5. Use acetone-free nail polish remover to take off nail polish. Acetone based removers quickly remove polish, but remove moisture from nails as well. Nails low in moisture break easily.
6. Buff your nails to shine and increase circulation to your nail beds. Lightly buffing your nails every other day can improve the appearance and growth of your nails. The key is light buffing. Heavy buffing can damage the nail.
7. Avoid fungal infections in and on your nails. When washing your hands, dry them completely. Don't share or borrow manicure tools or emery boards. If you are having a professional manicure, make sure the tools are sterilized between uses. Better yet, bring your own manicure set and emery boards to the salon.
8. Healthy diets help nails grow strong too. Calcium rich foods such as broccoli and milk can help nails grow strong and healthy. You may want to talk with your doctor about taking extra supplements such as biotin to help grow strong nails.
9. Keep cuticles soft and don't cut them. Moisturize the cuticle before bed. Apply hand lotion or cuticle oil, gently pushing back the cuticle. In time the overgrown cuticle tissue will disappear.
Having a professional manicure? Don't let the nail technician cut your cuticles. Cuticles are the first line of defense guarding against infection in your nail beds.
10 Nail infections can easily spread from one nail to the next. So take infections seriously. Avoid poking or picking at a nail infection. Talk to your doctor as you may need to have antibiotics or other treatment to get rid of the infection.
Your plan to stop nail biting is important. Give yourself every possible advantage to growing strong healthy beautiful nails. You owe it to yourself.
You made the decision to stop nail biting. As your nails grow out, you want to keep them healthy and good-looking. To get you started here are 10 tips to grow your nails out into beautiful nails.
1. Your nails were not meant to be screwdrivers. As your nails grow longer and stronger, you'll think about using your nails to help pick and pry things open.
Scraping a price tag off a purchase with your nail may seem easy. Unfortunately it stresses the nail leading to broken nails. Use a knife to remove the tag.
2. Protect your hands and nails like models do. Wear rubber gloves for cleaning and washing dishes. Detergents, cleaning supplies, soap and dishwater dry out your nails, which causes breaks and peeling.
3. Moisturize your cuticles to avoid hangnails. Keep a small container of cuticle oil or moisturizer by your bed. Every night before you go to sleep generously apply the oil or moisturizer to your cuticles.
4. Rough edges on your nails can be annoying. File the rough edge, don't bite it off. Buy a package of emery boards. Place the emery boards in various places throughout your house; in your desk drawer at work and in your purse. So if a rough nail catches on something you're prepared.
5. Use acetone-free nail polish remover to take off nail polish. Acetone based removers quickly remove polish, but remove moisture from nails as well. Nails low in moisture break easily.
6. Buff your nails to shine and increase circulation to your nail beds. Lightly buffing your nails every other day can improve the appearance and growth of your nails. The key is light buffing. Heavy buffing can damage the nail.
7. Avoid fungal infections in and on your nails. When washing your hands, dry them completely. Don't share or borrow manicure tools or emery boards. If you are having a professional manicure, make sure the tools are sterilized between uses. Better yet, bring your own manicure set and emery boards to the salon.
8. Healthy diets help nails grow strong too. Calcium rich foods such as broccoli and milk can help nails grow strong and healthy. You may want to talk with your doctor about taking extra supplements such as biotin to help grow strong nails.
9. Keep cuticles soft and don't cut them. Moisturize the cuticle before bed. Apply hand lotion or cuticle oil, gently pushing back the cuticle. In time the overgrown cuticle tissue will disappear.
Having a professional manicure? Don't let the nail technician cut your cuticles. Cuticles are the first line of defense guarding against infection in your nail beds.
10 Nail infections can easily spread from one nail to the next. So take infections seriously. Avoid poking or picking at a nail infection. Talk to your doctor as you may need to have antibiotics or other treatment to get rid of the infection.
Your plan to stop nail biting is important. Give yourself every possible advantage to growing strong healthy beautiful nails. You owe it to yourself.
Manicure, it’s all in the hands!!
A manicure is a beauty treatment for your hands and fingernails. The most commonly available manicure is the filing, shaping of the nails and the application of nail polish only. There are also manicuring services that are specialties for the hands. Soaking of the hands with a softening substance and application of a lotion is a common specialty. A manicure may also include the application of artificial nail tips, acrylics or artificial nail gels. Some manicures can include the painting of pictures or designs on the nails or applying small decals or imitation jewels. In many areas, manicurists are licensed since skin is maneuvered and sometimes it is trimmed; there is a certain risk of spreading infection when tools are used across many people and therefore sanitation is a serious concern.
Manicure has a history more than 5000 years old. In India, henna has been used for manicures for ages. Much of the modern revival of henna derives from its popularity in India. One of the empresses of China was said to wear very long artificial nails.
The processes of a manicure uses a variety of tools, creams, oils, waxes and massaging techniques to clean or shape your nails, care for your cuticles, and improves the look as well as feel of your hands. There are various kinds of manicures available for you which may include shaping of the nail, use of different oils and creams, or even massage as part of the treatment. Some of the popular manicure methods are French manicure, American manicure, hot stone manicure, hot oil manicure and standardized manicure.
Whichever process of manicure is being followed there are certain tools and supplies that are essentially required. Some of the tools and supplies are - Bowl of warm water or finger bath, Nail clippers, Cuticle knife and clippers, Cuticle pusher/Hoof stick, Nail file/emery board, buffer, scissors and brush etc. and the supplies commonly required are Cuticle remover, Massage lotion, Nail polish, Base coat polish & ridge filler polish, Color varnish, Top coat or sealant, Nail polish remover, Hand cream, Sanitizing spray, towels, Cotton balls & pads etc.
If you are going to the day spas or salons then always keep in mind to enquire and ensure about the sanitation of the area and proper sterilization of the tools being used. The absence of sterilization many lead to the infections and other contagious dermal diseases.
The standard procedure applied by the salons begins with removal of nail polish. Shaping of the nail is the next step. The fingernails are filed into oval tips. Now softening the cuticles is accomplished by soaking the fingers in a small finger bowl filled with soapy water. After this, hand is carefully washed and dried up by holding a small towel and placing the hand on the towel. Cuticle remover is applied. Cuticle is loosened gently with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. Free edge under the fingernail is cleaned by dipping a cotton-tipped orangewood stick in soapy water and cleaning under the nail. Cuticle oil or creams are applied at the base of the nail. The nails gently brushed in soapy water with a downward motion. Now the hands and nails are dried thoroughly. Next a very fine emery board is used to give the finishing touch.
Now it is time for the application of nail polish, a base coat is applied using long strokes. After allowing the base coat to dry, Nail polish is applied with light strokes so that excess polish on cuticle or nail can be easily removed with cotton tipped orangewood stick moistened with polish remover. After it is dry the top coat is applied. After that layer of nail polish it is the time for a rejuvenating massage for your hands. Lotions are applied to the hands and the hand is massaged with light rubbing motion.
French manicures use clear or ivory-colored polish on the body of the nail, and white nail tips. American manicure is a very natural-looking manicure. Hot stone manicure features a hand massage using hot stone therapy to soothe and relax your hand. The hands may be dipped in melted paraffin wax. The hand is usually applied with a thicker wax coat, making the coating stay warm for longer and less likely to break too early. After dipping the hands in the wax, they are wrapped in plastic and covered with cloth to retain warmth. Now the hands are left for a few minutes before the paraffin is cooled and dried, after that it is removed. Paraffin waxes are sometimes mixed with various botanical ingredients. Fruit waxes such as peach, apple and strawberry are frequently used in salons.
Hot oil manicure is a specific type of manicure that cleans and softens cuticles with oil. It is very good for dry skin and nails that are brittle. The types of oils used are mineral oil, olive oil.
Other then our feet, our hands do a lot of hard work and are usually the last things hat get pampered. Why not book yourself in for a manicure today.
About the author:
Leanne Kemp is the Managing Director for Wotaboutme. Look online to find a day spa, haircut, aromatherapy massage anywhere in Australia. Perfect for gifts for him or gifts for her. For updates, check out the Wotaboutme Blog
Manicure has a history more than 5000 years old. In India, henna has been used for manicures for ages. Much of the modern revival of henna derives from its popularity in India. One of the empresses of China was said to wear very long artificial nails.
The processes of a manicure uses a variety of tools, creams, oils, waxes and massaging techniques to clean or shape your nails, care for your cuticles, and improves the look as well as feel of your hands. There are various kinds of manicures available for you which may include shaping of the nail, use of different oils and creams, or even massage as part of the treatment. Some of the popular manicure methods are French manicure, American manicure, hot stone manicure, hot oil manicure and standardized manicure.
Whichever process of manicure is being followed there are certain tools and supplies that are essentially required. Some of the tools and supplies are - Bowl of warm water or finger bath, Nail clippers, Cuticle knife and clippers, Cuticle pusher/Hoof stick, Nail file/emery board, buffer, scissors and brush etc. and the supplies commonly required are Cuticle remover, Massage lotion, Nail polish, Base coat polish & ridge filler polish, Color varnish, Top coat or sealant, Nail polish remover, Hand cream, Sanitizing spray, towels, Cotton balls & pads etc.
If you are going to the day spas or salons then always keep in mind to enquire and ensure about the sanitation of the area and proper sterilization of the tools being used. The absence of sterilization many lead to the infections and other contagious dermal diseases.
The standard procedure applied by the salons begins with removal of nail polish. Shaping of the nail is the next step. The fingernails are filed into oval tips. Now softening the cuticles is accomplished by soaking the fingers in a small finger bowl filled with soapy water. After this, hand is carefully washed and dried up by holding a small towel and placing the hand on the towel. Cuticle remover is applied. Cuticle is loosened gently with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. Free edge under the fingernail is cleaned by dipping a cotton-tipped orangewood stick in soapy water and cleaning under the nail. Cuticle oil or creams are applied at the base of the nail. The nails gently brushed in soapy water with a downward motion. Now the hands and nails are dried thoroughly. Next a very fine emery board is used to give the finishing touch.
Now it is time for the application of nail polish, a base coat is applied using long strokes. After allowing the base coat to dry, Nail polish is applied with light strokes so that excess polish on cuticle or nail can be easily removed with cotton tipped orangewood stick moistened with polish remover. After it is dry the top coat is applied. After that layer of nail polish it is the time for a rejuvenating massage for your hands. Lotions are applied to the hands and the hand is massaged with light rubbing motion.
French manicures use clear or ivory-colored polish on the body of the nail, and white nail tips. American manicure is a very natural-looking manicure. Hot stone manicure features a hand massage using hot stone therapy to soothe and relax your hand. The hands may be dipped in melted paraffin wax. The hand is usually applied with a thicker wax coat, making the coating stay warm for longer and less likely to break too early. After dipping the hands in the wax, they are wrapped in plastic and covered with cloth to retain warmth. Now the hands are left for a few minutes before the paraffin is cooled and dried, after that it is removed. Paraffin waxes are sometimes mixed with various botanical ingredients. Fruit waxes such as peach, apple and strawberry are frequently used in salons.
Hot oil manicure is a specific type of manicure that cleans and softens cuticles with oil. It is very good for dry skin and nails that are brittle. The types of oils used are mineral oil, olive oil.
Other then our feet, our hands do a lot of hard work and are usually the last things hat get pampered. Why not book yourself in for a manicure today.
About the author:
Leanne Kemp is the Managing Director for Wotaboutme. Look online to find a day spa, haircut, aromatherapy massage anywhere in Australia. Perfect for gifts for him or gifts for her. For updates, check out the Wotaboutme Blog
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