Men or women, young or old, everyone can be faced with dry and brittle nails! They are split, brittle and ridged and particularly sensitive to external aggressions. Why can nails become dry and brittle? Keep reading, the nail supplies expert Maryton will tell you answers in this article.
There are different factors that promote dry and brittle nails by creating oxidative stress:
1. Prolonged or repeated exposure to water
The nail is composed of 7 to 12% water. The amount of water in nails is very low due to its very porous structure. During prolonged or repeated exposure to water, water molecules will penetrate the nail and swell the keratin fibers which detach from each other and become disorganized.
In addition, due to the high permeability of the nail, water molecules will evaporate significantly: this is called transungual evaporation. The nail is therefore very sensitive to dehydration and drying out.
2. Aggressive products
Whether household cleaning products or frequent use of nail polish removers, these aggressive products attack the nail plate and damage the keratin.
3. Age
The lipid level tends to naturally decrease over time. However, they are essential for the cohesion and structure of keratin fibers.
4. Deficiencies
Nails are a reflection of our state of health. A lack of vitamins (especially vitamin B8 or biotin which plays a role in the production of lipids, vitamin A), minerals (calcium) or trace elements (iron and zinc) can lead to dry and brittle nails.
5. Others
There are other factors that weaken nails such as trauma, too frequent manicures/pedicures, infections, pathologies (eczema, diabetes, psoriasis) or systemic treatments (chemotherapy).
In these cases, the nail damage is generally deep and appropriate nail care must be used. Therefore, I recommend you to invest in a manicure kit so that you can take care of your nails regularly.
Read also: Practical tips for cutting your baby’s nails
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