Nails flaking and breaking? Here experts recommend treatments for nail repair and tips to prevent future damage
Weak nails that are prone to flaking and breaking indicate damage of the keratin bonds that give nails resilience and strength. It’s quite normal, and can be caused daily activities like hand washing, bathing, cleaning and other manual tasks, as well as through incorrect application and/or removal of artificial nails and gel polish. Occasionally, however, damaged nails can indicate a nutritional deficiency or health concern, so if it’s a persistent problem – or you suspect there’s more to it – visit your GP.
Ways to strengthen and repair damaged nails
Nail damage caused by trauma (from daily activities or polish application and removal) can be repaired – and prevented – with treatments and care.
Try these tips:
1) Keep your nails short
Influential manicurist and OPI’s global ambassador, Harriet Westmoreland tells us, “A great way to strengthen nails is to keep them short and softly shaped so the corners don’t snap off”.
2) Apply a daily nail strengthening treatment
OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum – https://amzn.to/47D8ZPh
Westmoreland recommends using OPI’s new Repair Mode nail strengthener which uses technology to repair broken bonds from inside the nail. “Apply morning and night for hydrated strong and healthy nails,” she advises. “Whatever has caused the damage, it will repair the keratin bonds in the nail plate in just six days.” Alternative products for home use include the CND Rescue RXx Daily Keratin Treatment, which Francis rates, and Protein Formula for Nails Formula 4 – Strengthen, which we have tried and tested with impressive results.
3) Try a professional treatment
Alternatively, Francis suggests booking an IBX Nail Strengthening Repair Treatment. “This is a professional-only treatment that makes nails feel much stronger after the first application,” she says. “It penetrates and works from within, helping to fuse any damaged keratin.” An IBX treatment can be carried out weekly if needed.
4) Use a strengthening base coat
OPI Nail Envy Nail Treatment Original Formula–https://amzn.to/47Fy3Fk
To maintain the strength of your nails after a treatment (either done professionally or at home), use a product like OPI’s Nail Envy (available in eight shades) which can be worn alone or as a strengthening base coat under regular nail polish to protect nails against breaking, chipping, peeling, and splitting.
5) Keep nails hydrated
Westmoreland says that using “a cuticle oil or rich hand cream regularly will also help to keep the nail plate conditioned and hydrated” – especially as dry, brittle or peeling nails are often the result of too little moisture. In addition, when it comes to removing regular nail polish at home, she recommends “using an oil-based remover to avoid the nails becoming dehydrated”. Try the Manucurist Nail Polish Remover.
6) Only visit reputable nail professionals
When it comes to having acrylic or gel manicures, “find a reputable nail technician or salon that has a focus on healthy natural nails,” says Francis. “They’re more likely to spend extra time and care on a consultation and will advise whether gel or acrylic nails are suitable for you – if your natural nails are too damaged and thin already, they may recommend a nail strengthening treatment or repair treatment instead.” She says to avoid nail salons or technicians that appear too cheap: “it’s possible they’re using substandard products that require the natural nail to be really rough (and therefore over-filed) in order for product to adhere. Look for well-known brands and full systems.”
