Our nails are subject to regular wear and tear. Whether you enjoy regular manicures or are just hoping to make it through the day without a nail breaking, it’s never a bad idea to give them a little extra love.

signs of healthy nails

  • Nails appear pinkish-white in color—the exact color varies depending on skin tone.
  • The white, half-moon shape at the base of your nail is visible. This is known as the lunula, and it is a portion of the nail matrix where new nail cells grow. 
  • Cuticles are intact.
  • No dark lines or other discoloration.

signs of unhealthy nails

  • Peeling or splitting is often caused by dryness. It could also be the result of a vitamin deficiency.
  • Nails have an uneven texture or thickness.
  • There is discoloration to the nail, such as yellowing. If you paint your nails often, this could be staining, which is a purely cosmetic problem. However, yellow nails can also indicate a fungal infection or internal health issue.
  • There are small white spots on the nails. This is known as leukonychia, and it is caused by minor trauma to the nails, such as from biting or painting them.
  • Horizontal grooves are a sign of interruption in nail growth. They can form from jamming your finger or may be the result of stress, fever or another health issue. Vertical grooves are often either genetic or form naturally with age.
  • The skin around the nails is red, swollen or painful.

tips for growing healthy nails

  • Be gentle. While it can be tempting to use our nails as tools, it’s important to remember that they are delicate. Along with breaks, using nails to pry or dig can cause onycholysis—a condition where the nail plate separates from the skin.
  • Clip your nails regularly. Long nails may look beautiful and elegant, but it’s important to focus on strength over length. Regular trimming makes them less prone to snags or breakage.
  • Leave your cuticles alone. Cuticles serve a very important purpose. This layer of skin protects the new nail from bacteria and other contaminants. While cutting or dissolving your cuticles is often touted as a way to make a manicure last longer, resist the temptation to do it. Without them, you’re opening yourself up to greater risk of infection.
  • Load up on protein. Your diet can improve the health of your nails. They’re made of a protein called keratin, so protein-rich foods like beans, fish and nuts can have benefits. Vitamins and supplements like biotin, vitamin E and fish oil also are often used to strengthen nails.
  • Moisturize regularly. If your nails regularly crack or break, odds are they’re dry. You can fight brittleness by moisturizing with cuticle oils daily—these products often contain a mix of oils, such as almond, jojoba and avocado. Oil can be rubbed in immediately after application, or you can do an overnight soak—just apply a generous amount to the nails and then put on disposable gloves. This will help keep your nails flexible and strong.
  • Read your polish labels. Not all nail polish is created equal. Some brands contain harmful ingredients, such as dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene. If scanning the ingredient list may seem daunting, don’t worry. Polishes that don’t contain harmful ingredients will be labeled as 3-free, 5-free or more to indicate this—the higher the number, the fewer questionable ingredients. 
  • Give your nails a break. Regularly applying and removing polish can have a negative impact on your nails. Lacquer can stain, while removers often dry them out and even weaken the structure. Polish chipping can also cause damage as thin layers of nail may flake off with it. Acrylic and gel manicures are even harder on the nails. Sometimes, taking a break and going au natural is the best way to give your nails a boost.

FOCUS ON: Gel Manicures + Allergies

Gel polish has some big benefits over traditional nail lacquer. It comes with a shorter dry time, better durability and minimal upkeep. With at-home gel kits on the rise, it’s a more popular option than ever. However, this increase in accessibility has also come with a higher incidence of gel allergies.

Why do gel nail products cause allergies?
These products contain reactive ingredients called monomers and photoinitiators, which belong to the chemical families acrylates and methacrylates. These are known to be skin sensitizers, meaning that if they’re absorbed into the skin, it can cause an allergy. Whether you are getting your nails done at a salon or doing them at home, it’s important to avoid getting gel polish on your skin.

What symptoms occur with a gel allergy?
There are two main ways gel allergies manifest. The first is contact dermatitis. This happens immediately and is a reaction to exposure to harsh chemicals. It causes pain and inflammation and can result in blisters or lifting of the nail plate. The second form of gel allergy is a delayed immune response, which results in hypersensitivity. This is caused by repeated exposure to the chemicals, and the symptoms are often the same as contact dermatitis. 

Does a gel allergy go away?
No, gel allergies cannot be cured. There is no way to prevent a recurrence of allergic response once it happens. If you develop a gel allergy, it is important to immediately stop use of gel products.

How can you prevent a gel allergy?
Diligence is key. If you regularly visit a salon, make sure you can trust your technician to use quality products. Certain gel brands are formulated to be less prone to causing a reaction; however, many cheaper brands do not take these precautions. Also check that the salon is not mixing and matching different brands. This can very easily result in undercuring, which makes it more likely that wet polish will come in contact with your skin. For at-home use, opt for higher quality products and make sure you are diligently following instructions.