How to Use a Nail Strengthener

It always feels elusive when you think about having strong and healthy nails. This is because of many factors that affect our nails’ overall health, such as our lifestyle, health and nail preference. That’s why we need the help of nail products like nail strengtheners to aid us in gaining our nails’ good condition back.

Today, we are going to learn what nail strengtheners are, how to apply them properly, how this product works, the right ingredients to look for in the product and so much more. Let’s now get into the world of nail strengtheners!

What Is a Nail Strengthener?

A nail strengthener is a specially formulated strengthening treatment for your nails. When applied, the strengthener makes a flexible film on your nails’ surface that serves as a protective barrier. This reinforces the nails’ structure while also providing nutrients that your nails need to be healthy and strong. It simply works within to bring back the healthy condition of your nails.

If you’re a fan of gel or acrylic nail extensions, nail strengtheners are beneficial to help your nails recover. We all know that artificial nails can weaken your nails and make them brittle. So, to avoid nail damage, have this product handy.

Not all nail strengtheners are made the same as their formulations differ by brand, but most of the products include vitamins, proteins and other minerals. The best products have a nourishment delivery system included in their formulation to ensure effectiveness. However, since many of the required ingredients wear off fast, the product must be reapplied more often.

Steps to Apply a Nail Strengthener

Clean Your Nails

Before you apply the nail strengthener, it’s important to clean and prepare your nails first. Cut your nails if they are already long, and make sure to remove any excess polish on your nails by using a cotton ball dipped in acetone. Wash your hands with soap and water to ensure they are clean.

Apply the Nail Strengthener

Apply one layer of nail strengthener to each of your nails. Allow 4-5 minutes for the product to dry.

Remove the Product

For the removal of the product, use a nail strengthener remover or a nail polish remover. Make sure the product is acetone-free to prevent having the same damage. As much as possible, use a product with natural ingredients or with the same brand.

Reapply the Nail Strengthener

Reapplication for damaged nails should be done every day or every other day for 1-2 weeks. Redo the whole process again after a week or two until you see your nails grow. Take note that it takes 8-10 weeks for the nails to grow, so you may not see any results for the first few weeks. Just be consistent with the application, and you’ll see the results soon.

Ingredients to Check When Buying a Nail Strengthener

Because nail strengtheners work from within, it’s crucial to know the right ingredients or nutrients a product has to ensure your nails get the proper nourishment.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E offers hydration to your nails and protection to your cuticles. It can help recover your nails from polish damage.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C takes care of the collagen production in the body, and collagen protein aids in building teeth, hair and fingernails. An insufficient amount of this vitamin can make your nails grow slower and more brittle.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A can also provide hydration to your nails and encourage nail growth. To be more scientific, it promotes keratin synthesis in the body, which is what your natural nails are made of.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a needed element for the body’s protein synthesis, which is what nails need for growth. Aside from that, it also plays an essential role in keeping the healthy condition of the nails.

Calcium

If your nails and bones tend to be brittle, most likely, you have calcium deficiency. Calcium is a primary mineral for strong nails, and deficiency of this nutrient can make your nails chip or break easily and thinner.

Tips for More Quality Results with a Nail Strengthener

Although using a nail strengthener can significantly help with recovering your nails’ natural condition, it’s still important to know other helpful factors for strengthening your nails.

Use Non-toxic Nail Polish Products

We always encourage everyone to use non-toxic, high-quality nail polish to primarily avoid significant damage to the natural nails. There are nail products made of vegan ingredients on the market. You can try these for your nails because they have no harsh chemicals.

Buy the Highest-Rated Nail Strengthener on the Market

As much as possible, use nail strengtheners with the highest rating as these are products used and liked by many. Check the reviews to know how the product works and performs on other individuals. Many of these products may cost a little more, but they are worth a try if you really want quality.

Eat Foods Great for the Nails

Allow us to highlight this as it’s always best to eat healthily to ensure healthy nails. Your diet should contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, protein, iron and biotin as these nutrients promote stronger and fast-growing nails. Foods rich in these are nuts, eggs, vegetables, fruits and lean meats. You can also take supplements for nail health.

Keep Your Nails Clean

Bacteria are one major reason for having weak or brittle nails. This is why it’s important to keep your nails and hands clean and dry as much as possible. You don’t want your nails to be a breeding ground for harmful microbes. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and make sure to dry them before doing anything else.

Trim Your Nails

You may be a fan of long nails, but you can always wear nail extensions for this purpose. Long natural nails tend to get in the way and may break easily. Keep your natural nails short by trimming them regularly. File the edges to smoothen them and shape your nails evenly.

Drink Plenty of Water

It’s always helpful to keep yourself hydrated for your overall health. In terms of nail health, your nails have the proper hydration they need to stay healthy, strong and flexible. Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day and eat foods rich in water, such as watermelon.

Apply Hand Cream or Lotion

To level up your nourishment, apply hand cream or lotion regularly. These skincare products are also packed with vitamins and minerals that help your nails and skin. They can provide a great level of hydration and flexibility to your nails and skin.

Try a Natural DIY Treatment

This is another healthy option you can follow at home. There are many recommended natural oils you can use for your nails, such as avocado, argan, olive and coconut oils.

For your DIY treatment, soak your hands first in lukewarm water for 3-5 minutes. Dry your hands with a clean towel, and apply a few drops of oil onto your nails. Gently massage the oil for a few seconds and then cover your hands with gloves for 20 minutes for oil absorption. Remove the gloves and wipe the excess oil on your hands. Lock in moisture with a cream or lotion.

How Does a Nail Strengthener Get into the Nail Plate?

Nail strengtheners have proteins and other microelements that are able to enter between nail layers, allowing these nutrients to nourish the nails. These microelements have a chemical similarity with our nails’ keratin composition, which is why they are perfect for recovering our nails’ health.

Is a Nail Strengthener Only Used for Damaged Nails?

The number one purpose of nail strengtheners is to help your nails recover from being weak. However, its function doesn’t limit to that. It can be used to prevent damage to the natural nails. Apply the product once a week and between your manicures. Nail strengtheners are great for preventive maintenance.

Are There Different Types of Nail Strengthener?

Many brands have created different variations of nail strengtheners to cater to a wide range of nail conditions. The primary ingredients are still the same, only that there are slight changes to every variation depending on the nail type. There are products that focus on breaks and splits, peeling and strengthening soft nails.

What Is the Difference Between Nail Strengtheners and Nail Hardeners?

The huge difference between these products is that nail strengtheners are made to help the natural nails build resilience from within while nail hardeners work on adding a protective barrier to the nails.

Nail strengtheners provide hydration that keeps the moisture balance of the nails for flexibility and breakage protection. They also boost protein in the nails as many products have keratin that promotes healthy nail growth and repairs damaged nails. Aside from that, they are also best for long-term use as regular application can make your nails grow strong and healthy.

Nail hardeners often have resin or formaldehyde that hardens during application. They form a barrier for your nails from external factors like chemicals and impacts. They are also known for providing instant results as they harden fast. However, unlike nail strengtheners, they only offer short-term benefits primarily because they don’t address any underlying nail issue.

Can You Use a Nail Strengthener as a Base Coat?

It entirely depends on the product since traditional nail strengtheners can’t be used with gel polish. They simply can’t work together because of how they are formulated. Also, we can’t really tell how a nail strengthener reacts when cured with gel polish under UV light. The best way to use the product if you’re into gel manicures is to apply it between manicures.

Final Words

With a nail strengthener, you’re able to recover or maintain the healthy condition of your nails. Just be sure you understand your nails’ condition and what they need to become healthy again. Consistency is key, so apply the product regularly, and you’ll see wonderful results in just several weeks!