Some people naturally have thinner nails. However, there’s a plethora of reasons your nails might be on the softer side and plenty of ways to strengthen them as well. To come, everything you need to know about soft and bendy nails. However, it’s important to note that these effects can be lasting. Even if you stop getting acrylic and gel manicures, your nails may still be brittle for months to come until they can fully grow out untouched. “Look at the nail matrix,” Stern says. “You can usually see this as the half-moon on the thumbnail. You are born with your nail matrix (like thin or thick hair), and your matrix determines the size, thickness, and–to a large degree–the quality and appearance of the nail,” she adds. If you have a small nail matrix, you’re more likely to have thin nails. A larger matrix symbolizes the potential for thicker, stronger nails. However, there may be some steps you can take to strengthen your nails even if you are predisposed to thinner, more bendy tips already. Keep reading to learn more. “Decreased vascularization and oxygenation of the nail matrix is associated with brittle nails,” she adds. This can occur in diseases such as peripheral artery disease, and Raynaud’s disease. Rather than overanalyze your own diet, visit a professional to determine if your iron levels are imbalance (more on that in a bit). Look for some elbow-high rubber gloves next time you visit the drugstore and keep them in your cleaning materials box, cabinet, etc. Specifically, biotin has been shown to support thickness and firmness of nails6 in several human studies. One moderately sized human study found that those who took biotin supplements had 25% thicker nail beds7 than the placebo group. Not sure where to look? We’ve compiled a list of the 8 best hair, skin, and nail supplements here to ease your search. Stern developed her own kit, called the Nail Renewal System which includes a gentle exfoliant, a buffing bar, and a leave-on hydrating formula. “This 3-step system is a revolutionary, once-weekly, nail treatment that immediately reveals a healthy, hydrated, youthful shine. This polish-free system is clinically proven to improve the appearance of nails, leaving them with a healthy, strong, smooth, shiny, glossy, and less brittle look and feel,” Stern says. “If the cuticle compromise persists, the nail will eventually grow in irregularly,” board-certified dermatologist and nail expert Dana Stern, M.D., once told mbg. “This is because the cuticle overlies the nail matrix, which is the nail-producing center of the nail.” To sum it up: Cuticle care is essential for thriving, long nails. So, while cuticle oil might seem like a frivolous addition to your routine, let us be very clear—it’s not. In fact, you should be using it daily. If you don’t have one on hand already, here are 10 A+ oils to choose from.
