A person’s nails are one of the most popular forms of self-expression on the planet. Decoration of fingernails to look attractive appears in a wide variety of cultures. Nail polish is a common form of nail art, be it solid colours or patterns, but this simple art also appears in many artificial versions, such as gel and acrylic nails. These additions to the nail add visual flair to the hand. 

But what of the underlying nail? Before a hand can support any decoration, the nails must be at their strongest. Products like nail strengtheners provide a boost, as do following these simple tips to know just how to strengthen nails.

What Makes a Nail Healthy

Before you can figure out how to make nails more substantial, you need to know what makes a nail healthy in the first place. Nails consist of laminated layers of keratin, a protein in hair, nails, and skin. Nails start their growth at the base beneath the cuticle. A healthy fingernail is smooth without any pits or grooves though it might have vertical ridges from the bottom of the nail to the tip as a person ages.

Unhealthy nails can be identified with several details. Unhealthy nails have discolouration, either across the entire nail or in streaks. The nails might change shape, such as when they curl. The nails are also prone to changing density, either thickening or thinning. Unhealthy nails will also swell or bleed, evident signs of an infection that you must handle immediately. Finally, unhealthy fingernails will stop growing.

Fortunately, it’s not hard to learn how to make nails stronger. From careful grooming to using a nail strengthener, anyone can know how to strengthen nails like a professional.

Proper Hygiene

Proper hygiene is one of the most essential yet straightforward steps to maintaining your nails. Keeping your nails clean is an excellent step in making nails stronger, as it keeps bacteria and fungi from growing in the nail beds. A great way to do this is always to ensure your nails are clean and dry to control the growth of things that flourish in damp, enclosed spaces. Proper hand washing is a must too.

Constantly trimming the nails helps too. Make sure to cut straight across, then gently round the tips. This helps keep the nails growing correctly and also looks attractive. It’s important to always perform this task with proper tools, such as manicure scissors, to ensure an appropriate trimming. Make sure the tools have been thoroughly sterilised to prevent cross-contamination.

Using Products

Two essential products will significantly improve the state of your nails. First, keeping your nails moisturised with quality hand lotion is important. When you use it to dampen your hands, rub it into the nails and nail beds. This will help keep your nails strong and looking their best.

One of the most tangible things to add to your nail care regimen is a nail strengthener like Semilac Nail Power Therapy 5 in 1 Crystal Strong Nail Conditioner or Semilac Rescue Care Nail Conditioner. These products have been specially formulated to strengthen nails that are thin and brittle. Regular use of these products will rejuvenate and enhance nails that have grown weak. A nail strengthener takes only moments to apply daily and will cause no additional damage.

Things to Avoid

As much as positive habits are a must when caring for your nails, avoiding negative traits will also help. If you want to know how to make nails stronger, not doing these things will serve you well.

Avoid biting your nails or picking at your cuticles to keep your nails healthy. Doing so inhibits the quality growth of the nails. It damages the nail bed. A potential cut opens the nail up to possible infections.

Handle damaged nails with care. With ingrown nails, avoid removing the problem yourself. Instead, go to a doctor trained in the removal. This will also prevent the nails from getting infected and worsening already existing problems.

Finally, ignoring the problem is something that you must avoid. Problems only worsen with time, infections worsen, and nails get weaker. Letting a problem go will only make it worse. Thus one of the top tips for strengthening nails is to treat them at the first possible moment to keep your nails at their best.

Following all of these steps will only have a beneficial effect on your hands. Be it from diet, care, or a nail strengthener, making your nails strong provides a good base for future decoration, be it gel polish or artificial nails. But even if that isn’t your goal, an attractive, healthy nail is just an essential bit of self-care.

To make sure your nails look their best, consider one of the nail care products from Semilac. This line of liquid nail care treatments includes everything from nail strengtheners to oils and moisturisers. These products are up to the task if you’re trying to figure out how to make nails stronger. Check them out today.