Nail extensions require more care than natural fingernails and they often make our nails dry, brittle and yellowish. (Photo Credit: Unsplash)
Don't you ladies always dream about flaunting the perfect 10/10 picture-perfect nails? Not a fantasy but for real, it's legit time to say goodbye to those flaky, chipping, breaking nails. Everyone wishes for naturally healthy and strong nails and those hard gel paints and nail extensions often rip off your nail's nourishment, making them brittle and prone to breakage. For a fact, women worry about the beauty of their hands, resorting to hand creams and spending a fortune on commercial chemical nail remedies and treatments. The important question is how to make those nails magically grow faster, pamper them and maintain hygiene. Honestly, if you take care of them, they will grow stronger and last longer for your everyday OOTD look and those candid hand jewellery flaunting aesthetic shots for your Instagram reels.
Yes, it's all possible if you set aside some time to try on the best home DIY treatments, food remedies and the right nutrition to cure damaged nails and dry cuticles. Little patience and persistence can take your nail game really long. You just got to open your kitchen cupboard to harness the power of super ingredients with these DIY therapies.
Divij Bajaj, CEO and Founder of Power Gummies shares some natural remedies to start off with your strong and healthy nail game.
Interestingly, being a rich source of vitamin C, lemon brightens up the nails, promotes stronger growth and removes stains with bleaching properties.
Make your nail mask: Microwave the mix of 2 drops of lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 15 seconds until slightly warm. Massage over the nails and leave for the next 30 minutes to overnight for best results. You can also rub a slice of lemon on your finger and toenails for around 5 minutes directly or use a cotton pad twice a week as the fastest way to get rid of nail polish stains and discolouration.
Coconut oil fosters strength in the weak nails, hydrates softens the cuticles and protects from nail infections with anti-fungal properties and the presence of antioxidants.
How to make it: Warm up the 1-2 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil in the microwave for 20 seconds. Massage through the nail length and into the cuticles in circular motions and sleep peacefully sealing it with cotton gloves overnight.
It is well known that apple is high in antioxidants, and lemon provides the perfect shine, while jojoba oil smoothes the nail surface and reduces nail breakage. Appetising nail therapy for beautiful nails in no time to be repeated a few times a week.
Make it in seconds: Soak your nails in a blend of half-grated apple, lemon juice and a few drops of jojoba oil.
Aloe vera is probably the perfect serum for fragile and brittle nails leaving them nourished and revitalised like never before, possessing all anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties.
Easiest to make: Simply cut an aloe vera leaf in half and press the flesh inside into the damaged cuticles, softening them and repairing the damaged nails.
Bajaj also suggests that one can go with vitamin capsules as it promotes healthy cell development and assists in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids, both of which are required for nail growth.
Olive oil is the finest option for damaged and brittle nails since it softens the cuticles and moisturises the interior layers of the nails. Increases blood circulation, which helps in nail development.
Make your mask: Soak in your nails for 5 minutes in the slightly warmed-up little olive oil, mixed with 2-3 drops of vitamin A and E capsules. Repeat the treatment twice a week for the most beautiful nails ever!
Lemon juice with vital vitamin E makes a perfect match for revitalisation and moisture-boosting. Preparing this kind of nail conditioner is very simple.
How to make: Take a spoon of argan oil, add half a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and several drops of vitamin E available at the chemist. Rub the blend into the nails regularly.
After all of these, nutrients for nails are equally important. It goes without saying, what you eat directly reflects on your skin, hair and nail health. Healthy nails, in particular, require a healthy and balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as several B vitamins, folic acid, zinc, iron, calcium, and biotin for stronger nails. Regular home treatments and manicures will not suffice on their own. Here are some nutrients recommended by Bajaj.
With the combination of vitamin D, protein, B12, and biotin, you may swear on eggs for shinier nails and better nail strength. Boil them for 3-5 minutes before eating.
Beans are another wonderful source of biotin making your nails stronger by 25 per cent. Try having it in soups or sauteed.
Start your day with a bowl of soaked oats and some fruits, fueling you with the goodness of micronutrients like copper and zinc, bringing you healthy nails and growth.
A powerhouse of nutrients that doesn't let your nail growth go bent being rich in vitamin B6, vitamin E, copper and manganese. The perfect snack and can be a topping too on your favourite salads
Just pick up a box of blueberries full of antioxidants and add in your salads or mid-day snacking to protect your nails from breaking away and chipping. Also, helps with hormonal imbalance and inflammation.
Nail extensions are one of the most well-known methods for achieving longer and more appealing nails and are popularly seen on most women. People want distinctive designs and bright colours on their extensions. Generally, people with very short nails utilise these extensions to make their nails longer. But, as it's said, all that glitters is not gold... Just don't go on the outer beauty because nail extensions have their own drawbacks.
Dr Sonali Chaudhary, Integrative and Cosmetic Dermatologist, Founder of Holistic Skin Care based in South Delhi says, "Stop using monthly nail extensions. With these steps, you can revitalize your natural nails."
Nail extensions require more care than natural fingernails. It damages our nail bed, and nail plate and also hinders with nail's normal vapour exchange. It makes our nails dry, brittle and yellowish. Refilling of extensions is required every three weeks as the acrylic loosens from the natural nails and we can see a gap on the edges of the nails. If the edges are not filled in time, it can lead to nail infections. Giving a gap of one month between 2-3 months is advisable to avoid damage to our nails.
To be honest, taking a healthy nail care routine following these DIY treatments, and making the right food choices often go hay way amidst busy schedules, that's exactly when we need convenient nutritional choices that fit our lifestyle. Put those salon appointments on halt, trim your nails and file them with a mineral file to get rid of sharp edges that fit your lifestyle!
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