6 reasons your nails keep breaking
Do you have brittle nails that always seem to crack, chip or split? There are a number of reasons why this could be happening – here are the six leading contenders.
1. You are low on iron
If your nails look concave you could have low iron levels or even anaemia. Without sufficient iron in your body, your nail growth may be stunted. If you see depressions in your nails, go see your doctor.
2. You type a lot
If your nails constantly make that clickity-clack sound when you’re typing away on the computer or using your tablet, it could be damaging your nails. Overtime continuous contact with screens can cause nails to split, fracture or fray at the edges.
3. Your nails are always in water
Water dries out your skin, and if the skin around your cuticles is dry, then the nail matrix is most likely too. This means the nail it forms will be prone to splitting, breaking and cracking. The lesson? Apply hand lotion throughout the day, paying special attention around your cuticles.
5. You leave your nail polish on for too long
No matter how expensive your nail polish is (yes, even the nail salon polishes) all polish contains drying ingredients that weaken the nail. This drying effect doesn’t stop once the polish has dried either. The best advice is to be vigilant with taking the nail polish off once you’ve gotten the most out of your manicure.
6. You’re using the wrong polish remover
It should come as no surprise that nail polish removers aren’t exactly good for your nails. The acetone in traditional removers strip the natural oils in your nails along with the polish, which can leave your nails brittle and prone to breaking. However, not all removers are bad for nails – shop around for acetone-free options.
Related links:
How to make your own natural shampoo
6 surprising beauty uses for aloe vera
5 reasons to embrace going grey