We all love to have pretty nails. Nail polish is not cheap, so you want to be sure you’re buying the right one. Many promise to harden your nails and make them resistant to breaks- but what does this mean? Let’s take a look…

Before you start looking for a nail strengthener, it may be important to rule out any potential medical causes for weak nails. Poor circulation or an infection can affect the strength of your nails. Pealing or discoloured nails may also be a sign of imbalance in your body. Once you have ruled out any health problems, you can attribute your weak nails to poor nail protection, or poor nail hydration. Use hand lotions and cuticle oils regularly, and massage around the nail to encourage absorption and circulation. Also make sure your diet contains enough fatty acids, protein and vitamin B.
Get into the habit of protecting your nails. Wear gloves when you are wearing harsh cleaning products. Be aware that your nails are more prone to breaking when they have been soaked in water. Always wear sun cream on your hands and nails when you are outside. If you follow all these rules and your nails are still weak, then it is time to buy a strengthener.

Many nail strengtheners are in a polish form that should be applied twice a week. Apply thin coats and use it as a layer underneath your regular polish. Always use acetone-free nail polish remover to avoid your nails drying out further,

Choosing a nail strengthener

Hardeners

• Cross-linking hardeners: This kind of hardener works with ingredients that react with the proteins on the inside of your nails. When your nails are weak these proteins have broken down. The cross-linkers repair these chemical bonds that tie the protein chains together, making your nails harder.
• Reinforcing hardeners: This kind of hardener works on the outside of your nails. They contain ingredients that coat the nails, and reinforce the natural structure of the nail.
• The danger of using hardeners is that they make nails so strong, but brittle at the same time, so nails break more easily.

Hydrators

• Hydrators contain ingredients that moisturize your nails to keep them flexible so they bend rather than break. These are oily and waxy products mixed with water.
• These products should be used on an on-going basis for the best outcomes, and should be applied fairly regularly as they wash off.

Hydrator or hardener?
Now that you know what each type of product does, how do you pick one? Unfortunately, most products do not tell you which type they are. Here are some tips about how to tell the difference…
1. Is it a hardener or a hydrator?

• Look at the product: If it is clear, it is a hardener. If it’s creamy, then it is a hydrator.
• Shake the product: If it’s thin, it’s a hardener. If it’s thick like an oil or a cream, it’s a hydrator.
• Look at the package: If it’s a brush-on, it’s a hardener. If it’s in a tube or a jar, it’s a hydrator.

2. If it’s a hardener, is it the kind that makes your nails brittle?

• If you see Formaldehyde or Calcium in the ingredients on the back of the bottle, it works by cross-linking nail protein, making your nails more brittle.
• This kind of nail strengthener is powerful, but it can have harsh side effects. If you experience an allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately

3. Is it the kind that leave a reinforcing layer?

• If you see Nylon or Sulfhydryl protein in the ingredients, it’s a reinforcer.
• If the ingredients look like a typical nail polish ingredient list, it’s most likely a reinforcer type as well.
• This type of strengthener is especially good for soft and damaged nails. It bonds with the nail to strengthen the texture of the fingernail.

Article by Claire