Nail rehab - 5 tips for repairing damaged nails

PHILLIP LIM AW14

Nails are bigger than ever this season with Gwen Stefani collaborating with O.P.I and Phillip Lim’s current fixation with modern nail art that is sure to induce envy amongst his contemporaries.

But somewhere down the line of religiously tending to our talons have we fallen into the trap of neglecting their health. Constant polishing, filing and gel or acrylic abuse all contribute to weakening both nails and the skin on our hands. So follow these 5 tips on how to ensure that your nails survive the winter.

1) Avoid flaky nails by making sure that you’re including enough Omega 3 in your diet. 

Found in oily fish, avocados and nuts and seeds, this super vitamin is scientifically proven to toughen up nails if takenregularly. You’ll even start to see improvements in your skin and tresses – exactly what you need when the cold weather hits.

2) Give your nails a break. 

Getting your nails done professionally is an affordable luxury, but acrylic infillsare doing more damage than you actually think. Your nails have to be roughened up a little for the acrylic to grip the nail bed which can lead to unevenness and discomfort. Instead, give yourself a home manicure with the new NAILKALE range from Nails Inc whichbeautifies nails and treats them too.

3) Invest in a cuticle oil. Banish unsightly cuticles bymassaging them with a conditioning oil. Acetone based removers tend to strip the skin of moisture so it’s important to rehydrate your fingers. Superdrug’s conditioning cuticle oil pen (£2.99) contains vitamin E to keep the skin around nail beds smooth, so there’ll be no temptation to pick at dead cells which can cause painful infections. 

4) Drink plenty of water. 

It’s such a simple treatment but at least eight glasses a day is enough to strengthen damaged nails. Nail guru Deborah Lippmann also encourages us to avoid applying products such as hand sanitisers directly on to nails as they have a drying effect that can lead to chipping. 

5) Ditch the nail file. Or learn a new technique! 

Many of us unknowingly weaken our nails by filing them down too much. Even though you may think you’re making them tougher by keeping them short, excessive back and forth filing will eventually lead to tearing and breakages. Instead, place slight pressure and file from the edge inwards to achieve your desired shape.