How To Treat Peeling Nails

How Do I Treat My Peeling Nails?

Medically reviewed by

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

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Back in the day, nails were more than but fashion accessories. Early humans used them for digging, defense, and preparation. As the conveniences of modernistic life precluded those needs, nails became something nosotros take care of, rather than the other way around. One thing hasn't changed, still: Your nails tin betoken the general country of your wellness. So before yous treat your peeling nails with the following remedies, check your toenails, besides. If they're also peeling, see a doctor to rule out health-related causes such as atomic number 26 and other nutritional deficiencies.

Get-go thing to ask yourself: Why are my nails peeling? According to cosmetic dermatologist Michele Greenish, peeling nails (besides referred to every bit onychoschizia) is a disruption in the nail caused past trauma, peeling of nail smoothen, filing the nail too much, and wearing false nails such as press on or acrylics. Thankfully, there are ways to remedy them.

Come across the Practiced

Michele Green is a corrective dermatologist based in New York Urban center.

Ahead, check out 7 fixes for peeling fingernails.

01 of 09

Gear up Brittle Nails With Nutrient-Dumbo Food

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Boost your intake of iron- and biotin-rich foods like avocado, whole grains, eggs, cauliflower, and lean meats. Lean meats, in particular, aid build forcefulness in the nails, making them less susceptible to peeling, breaking, and bending. Plus, yous'll reap more than than merely smash benefits with such a nutrition—it tin can requite you lot more energy and go on you total for longer, too.

02 of 09

Have a Multivitamin for Stiff Nails

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Other nutrients plant in vitamins can aid build your nails' strength, as they work together with each other and with the foods y'all consume to keep all your trunk systems humming. "Vitamin A, C, E, likewise as B vitamins such equally B6 are fantabulous for smash health," says Green. "Supplements such as keratin is great for nail growth equally information technology strengthens the blast and increases its density." And if yous're looking for something to revive boring nails, fish oil tin help make them appear shiny. Plus, it serves equally an effective anti-aging supplement, as the omega oils found in fish oil stimulates collagen production. "These vitamins are all essential to nail growth equally they strengthen the nail matrix, which [ultimately] helps the nail grow," notes Green.

03 of 09

Soak Nails in Essential Oil to Protect

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"Massaging essential oils such every bit coconut and olive oil into the cuticle and nails creates a protective barrier by offering hydration," notes Green. "This also locks in moisture to prevent brittle nails and dry cuticles." Coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal backdrop, and tin slow the growth of nail fungus. Olive oil, equally Dark-green states, contains major antioxidants that assistance protect the nails. "It helps restore skin smoothness and protects the nails from ultraviolet light," she explains. Information technology's likewise rich in vitamin E, omega 3 fatty, acids and other nutrients that help to maintain and lock the moisture to foreclose dryness.

To create the soak, pour a few teaspoons of oil into 2 small bowls (melt the coconut oil for just a few seconds in the microwave), moisten your nails a flake, stick them in the bowls, and switch on your latest Netflix binge for 20 minutes.

04 of 09

Use a Gentle Smash Smoothen Remover to Retain Wet

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Peeling nails need all the moisture they can go, and acetone-laden nail polish removers don't do nails any favors. "Acetone, which is establish in virtually nail polish removers, is very drying and strips the nails of its natural wet," she says. "Acetone-gratuitous removers, still, get the task done without stripping the nailbed of essential moisture." Peculiarly effective if you have sensitive skin, dip your mani into this remover from Olive & June—it'll merely takes a few seconds to take off your smoothen (and shock yous that it'southward acetone-gratis).

05 of 09

Endeavor a Nail Hardener to Thicken Nails

OPI Boom Strengthener $17.00

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Nail hardeners tin can work wonders for peeling nails. Non merely do they help support the smash and protect it from peeling, only many are likewise made with nutrient-rich formulas that offer up other benefits like moisturizing, strengthening, and protecting. Try this one from OPI—it'southward formaldehyde-free and contains aloe vera, (which works to rebalance sensitive skin and nails), calcium (to assistance strengthen), kukui nut oil, and vitamin Due east, (which prevents nails from peeling).

06 of 09

Lay Off the Manicure to Avert Nail Mucus

"The disability for the nail bed to jiff as a result of the barrier of the nail shine puts yous at risk for developing blast fungus," warns Green. "You likewise put yourself at risk for developing a pare or nail infection due to the filing downward of the nail bed." Going au natural besides reduces the drying effects of harsh chemicals found in near blast polishes. And without a layer of polish blocking the sunlight from getting to your nails and cuticles, you'll reap the prison cell regeneration benefits of going polish-free.

07 of 09

Buff Rough Edges

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Boom buffers tin can assistance smooth out rough edges so that they don't catch so hands. Utilize gentle, steady movements to remove ridges and create a soft surface on the nail bed. We love this four-mode buffer from Tropical Shine considering it has 4 levels of dust, ranging from coarse to extra fine, and has a cuticle protection edge.

Buffing should exist done in one direction. Moving the buffer back and forth in the opposite direction can weaken your nail beds and make peeling more likely.

08 of 09

Avoid Nail Biting

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While smash biting doesn't directly lead to peeling nails, it's a habit that tin crusade other smash issues to arise that could atomic number 82 to peeling nails, similar infection. "Nail bitter can cause infection of the smash and can put yous at risk of spreading germs to your body," says Green. "This puts you lot at take chances for other health issues due to the exposure of bacteria and viruses which tin can be trapped on your fingers and underneath your nails." To kicking the addiction to the curb, try this treatment by Ella + Mila—it'south formulated to gustatory modality bad with the goal of deterring you from getting your nails anywhere close to your oral cavity.

09 of 09

Skip the Gel Polish to Avoid UV Damage

Gel polish may last longer than traditional polish, but Dark-green advises that the process could be detrimental to your nails and lead to peeling. "Gel manicures require UV light to gear up the gel, and the risk of UV light can be just as damaging to the nail bed equally UV low-cal from the sun," she says. "In addition, gel manicures can crusade nail fungus. You as well put yourself at risk for developing a skin or blast infection due to the filing down of the nailbed." Instead, get for a super strong top glaze like Seche Vite's Dry Fast Superlative Coat ($10) and wear gloves anytime you're washing dishes to maintain the life of your mani.

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National Institutes of Wellness. Biotin. Updated March 29, 2021.
Larson MK, Shearer GC, Ashmore JH, et al. Omega-three fat acids modulate collagen signaling in man platelets.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2011;84(three-iv):93-98. doi:x.1016/j.plefa.2010.xi.004