How To Repair Weak & Damaged Nails
Whether you’re an anxious picker, a long term biter or have been booking in manicures week after week for months on end. It can take a toll on your nails. And having dry and brittle nails sucks. Especially if you’ve got a big event coming up and want them to look good.
So what can you do to repair soft and brittle nails? Keep reading below.
Signs & symptoms
If they say our eyes are the window to our soul, then the nails are a window to our health. Often the first to show any signs of ill health, your technician should tell you when they think your nails need a break.
If you notice your nails starting to split and peel or if they’re constantly breaking, showing signs of discolouration or even if you just think they’re getting thinner in general, discuss with your therapist at your next appointment.
The most common signs your nails might need a break include:
Splitting
Flaking
Cracking
peeling
Dryness
Brittle
Soft
How to repair weak and damaged nails
There are a few things you can do to help repair weak and damaged nails. From nail strengtheners and nourishing recovery treatments, the use of cuticle oil and generally just eating a healthy balanced diet, it all helps.
Nail Strengtheners
Nail strengtheners are a polish used to help restore the structural integrity of the nail. When applied, they work to strengthen the nails and act as a protective barrier to prevent any chipping or splitting.
We love: Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener this hardens the nail tips (the most fragile part) and prevents flaking OR Mavala Nail Shield which is great for weak and fragile nails.
Nail Hardener
Cuticle Oil
An oil used to moisturise and hydrate the nail bed, each product varies with ingredients however it’s usually a combination of natural vegetable oils; anything from avocado, coconut and almond oil, as well as Vitamin E. Recommended you apply each day, in the evening before bed, the cuticle oil helps nourish and hydrate the surrounding area and promotes blood flow to the area, in turn helping to strengthen the nails.
We love: TPR Hydrate Cuticle Oil with an expert formula containing Vitamin E, this cuticle oil is designed to nourish and restore, dry and brittle cuticles and the surrounding area, excellent for preventing dry and cracked skin.
TPR Hydrate Cuticle Oil
Balanced diet
Ensuring an adequate balance of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals will not only help strengthen your overall immune system but also work to repair weak and brittle nails. Taking things such as hair and nail supplements can also really help as they work to restore the body’s natural supply of the protein responsible for strengthening and lengthening these areas. Which is especially beneficial as this starts to deplete after the age of 25.
We love: Imbibe Living Protect as it helps to safeguard immune function while delivering your cells the nutrients it needs for optimal cellular renewal, skin repair, cellular protection and optimal collagen formation.
Imbibe Protect
Recovery Treatment
Sometimes you just need to give your nails a break and give them the love and attention they deserve. Which is exactly what you need if you’ve been treating yourself to a long stint of gel, SNS or acrylic nails or if you have a big event coming up and need to get them in order. Designed to promote optimum nail health, the 45 minute Nail Recovery Treatment available at TPR, works to strengthen the cohesive bond of the individual nail layers. Helping to restore the structural integrity as well as nourish and hydrate the surrounding skin, so you’re left with beautiful, healthy nails once more.
WE love: TPR Nail Recovery Treatment as it works to rejuvenate and repair weak and damaged nails by strengthening the nails to prevent any further damage and restore them back to optimal health.
Nail Recovery Treatment
How long until you can start to see results?
As long as you’re applying cuticle oil and following the advice of your therapist, you could start to see a difference in your nails in a little over a week. You should definitely avoid any biting or picking and just be conscious of household cleaning supplies and the use of hand sanitiser.
Now that we’re in a global pandemic it’s more than likely your nails and hands are a lot drier than usual due to washing them so much, so make sure you keep a good hand cream on you at all times.
How long to give your nails a break
Everyone’s nails are different so it will change based on the individual, depending on what kind of nails they’re wearing and how well they look after nails between appointments. Our therapists recommend you should be checking in with your technician at least every 2 months.
This way the therapist can assess your nail health and determine if you need to take a break altogether, switch up the treatment (like Biosculpture or normal polish), or if you need to book in for a recovery treatment to really give them a bit of TLC.
Not too familiar with the difference between Gel, SNS and Bio Sculpture? We’ve put together a comprehensive explanation (with photos) to help here.
