Your nails are like tiny canvases that express your style and personality but are also prone to damage and weakness. Whether you're a dedicated nail enthusiast or simply seeking to maintain healthy nails, understanding how nail strengtheners work can guide you toward the best solution for your needs.
Understanding Nail Weakness
Before we explore how nail strengtheners work, let's understand why our nails sometimes become weak and brittle. Several factors contribute to nail fragility, including:
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Lack of moisture
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Nutrient deficiency
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Environmental factors
Lack of Moisture
Just like our skin, nails require hydration to stay healthy. Dryness can lead to brittle nails that are prone to splitting and breaking. This is where things like moisturizing and using cuticle oil can help strengthen nails and keep them hydrated.
Nutrient Deficiency
Insufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals, such as biotin, vitamin E, and calcium, can weaken nails over time. Weak nails may also become discolored or change in texture. The best nail strengtheners work to improve the appearance of bare nails. Still, it's also essential that you have a sufficient intake of important vitamins and minerals, whether through your regular diet or supplements.
Note that it's essential to consult with your doctor or nutritionist before starting supplements.
Environmental Factors
Exposing your nails to harsh chemicals, frequent hand washing, and excessive use of nail polish removers can strip the nails of their natural oils and weaken them. For this reason, it's essential to protect your nails as much as possible.
Use gloves when washing the dishes, cancel this month's gel polish manicure, let your nails rest, and wear nail polish made from natural ingredients that will be less harsh. These are just some tips that will help you maintain healthier nails.
How Nail Strengtheners Work
Nail strengtheners (also referred to as nail hardeners) are formulated to strengthen weak, brittle, and even peeling nails and encourage nail growth. They provide nourishment, hydration, and protection to natural nails.
Structural Support
Many nail strengtheners contain ingredients such as keratin—a protein found in nails, hair, and skin—that helps reinforce the structure of the nails, making them stronger and less prone to breakage. Keratin is essential in repairing weak and brittle nails and can also help strengthen naturally thin nails.
Hydration
Hydrating ingredients like oils, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid found in topical nail strengtheners help restore moisture to the nails and cuticles. By hydrating the nail plate, these ingredients prevent dryness and brittleness, promoting flexibility and resilience.
Nutrient Delivery
Essential vitamins and minerals, including biotin, calcium, and vitamin E, are often incorporated into nail strengtheners to nourish the nails from within. These nutrients support healthy nail growth and repair, helping to strengthen brittle nails over time.
Protective Barrier
Some nail strengtheners contain ingredients that form a protective barrier over the nails, shielding them from environmental damage and preventing moisture loss. This barrier helps prolong the life of your manicure and maintains the integrity of your nails.
Of course, it's also helpful to do your part to shield your nails from environmental factors whenever you can. Although a nail treatment will help repair damaged nails, it will take longer if you keep damaging them with chemicals or exposing them to harsh outside elements.
Introducing the BeautyGARDE Nail System
One exemplary product that harnesses the power of nail strengthening is the BeautyGARDE Nail System. This innovative system offers a holistic approach to nail care, addressing strength and hydration to promote optimal nail health.
Strengthening Formula
The BeautyGARDE Nail System features a potent strengthening formula enriched with biotin, keratin, and calcium. These ingredients work together to fortify the nails, reducing breakage and promoting healthy growth.
Hydrating Serum
Dry, brittle nails are no match for the hydrating serum included in the BeautyGARDE kit. Packed with nourishing oils and moisturizing agents, this serum restores moisture to the nails and cuticles, keeping them soft and supple.
Protective Topcoat
The BeautyGARDE system includes a protective topcoat to seal in the benefits of the strengthening and hydrating treatments. This glossy finish not only enhances the appearance of your nails but also shields them from external stressors, maintaining their strength and integrity.
What Makes The Best Vegan Nail Strengthener (Buyers Guide)?
There are tons of nail strengthener options available on the market today, but how do you find the best nail strengthener? Choosing the right product can be the difference between unlocking your nail goals and struggling with breakage for years to come. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when shopping for your own treatment.
Vegan Certification
A reliable company will have its vegan certifications right on the bottle. While having a ton of certifications is not always necessary–the more, the better.
So, when in the market for a new nail strengthener, look for vegan certifications on the packaging. They should tell you if a product is 100% vegan or not. Be wary of products that only say ‘cruelty-free’. This may mean that they don’t test their products on animals, but that doesn’t automatically make them vegan. You should seek out a product that is both vegan and cruelty-free.
Natural Ingredients
Aside from vegan certifications, you should also take the time to scrutinize the ingredients list. A truly vegan nail strengthener should be made from plant-based or synthetic substances only–no animal products or by-products whatsoever. The ingredients list is the #1 way to determine not just whether a product is vegan or not—but whether it’s natural and non-toxic to boot!
Effectiveness
Of course, it can be difficult to evaluate a product’s effectiveness without trying it out first. But you can always scour reviews to gauge whether a product is effective or not. Look for a nail strengthener that has a ton of reliable reviews. Better yet, be sure to check out a brand’s feedback from third-party websites.
Drying Time
Unless you have infinite patience, choose a vegan nail strengthener that dries fairly quickly. A good nail strengthener should be dry to the touch after a minute or so and fully dried after 4 minutes.
With a fast-drying nail strengthener, you can go about your day as soon as possible. Keep in mind that you have to apply a nail strengthener every day for the best results, so you want something that can easily be incorporated into your nail-care regimen.
Tips for Maximizing Results
In addition to using nail strengtheners or a nail hardener, incorporating these tips into your nail care routine can further enhance the strength and resilience of your nails:
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Be consistent: Apply nail strengtheners regularly according to the instructions for best results.
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Be patient: It may take time to see significant improvements in nail strength, so be patient and consistent with your nail care routine.
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Protect your nails: Wear gloves when performing tasks that expose your nails to harsh chemicals or excessive moisture.
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Maintain overall health: A balanced diet of essential nutrients and proper hydration can contribute to strong, healthy nails and support nail growth.
