It’s easy to be drawn into the detrimental cycle of synthetic nails on repeat, particularly as we head into summer and the party season. If you are tired of the cost and time commitments of frequent salon visits and don’t know where to start with reclaiming your natural nails… read on!
Your nails deserve to be treated like your skin – start a routine that supports healthy nail growth and protects the nails from further damage. Fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3 mm per month, or around 0.1 mm per day. A completely new fingernail typically takes 3–5 months to grow from the nail matrix (beneath the cuticle area) to the fingertip.
Begin your journey to strong natural nails with these simple steps:
1. Daily nourishment
Make nail and cuticle care part of your daily moisturising routine, particularly after washing your hands and before bed. Use a nutritive nail cream, to stimulate healthy nail growth with essential amino acids, lipids and strengthening vitamins, plus a cuticle oil to feed, soften and hydrate the nail contour. Keep at this daily, ideally morning and evening. The compounding effect will pay dividends.
2. Keep length short and neat
Keep nail length short, preferably with rounded edges to guard against everyday wear and tear. Use a quality nail file to smooth-out rough edges on the free-edge of the nail (i.e. the part that protrudes beyond the edge of the finger) before they split or snag. Mini handbag size variants are perfect for quick fixes during the day.
3. Strengthen your nail care game
Essential to amplifying the natural nail reset are intensive nail treatments, much like serums, masks and facials treat the skin. Apply a penetrative nail treatment to work between the nail layers to build up strength and resistance. A topical barrier acts like a literal shield or armour against nail damage – ideally the first step of your manicure, following treatment. This can also be followed by a strengthening base coat.
4. Treat nails with respect, not as tools
Little everyday habits like opening lids, scraping off a stubborn sticker or picking at nails will further delay the recovery process. Wear gloves to protective hands and nails in water or when using chemicals and avoid aggressive buffing and filing.
Beautiful, healthy and natural nails are worth the commitment. There is no quick fix, rather a steady, consistent investment of time and product to produce strong, resilient and polished results. Don’t forget to feed nails from the inside out with plenty of vegetables (A, B, C, D & E) and minerals (calcium, iodine, sulphur, iron, silicium & magnesium).
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