Do you feel ashamed of your nails? Then it’s time to take action.

Wheter they’re flaky, fragile, stubby or peeling, there’s a sure way to make them stronger and longer.

Your nails are made from almost the same material as your hair, yet they don´t get the same attention. The average person washes their hands at least eight times a day, so that’s eight occassions when water can penetrate and weaken the nail plate. To that one must add jobs like washing up and house work, which expose the nails to damaging detergents.

The most common nail complaints are a slow growth rate and nails that break easily, but with a little care, the right products and small changes to your care routine, you can make your nails feel stronger and grow longer.

Nail facts

• The cells in your nails arebonded together by a protein called keratin, which is also one of the main ingredients of hair.
• Each nail is roughly 100 cells deep and each of these cells is dead.
• Nails are ten times more porous than skin, so they absorb and lose moisture easily.
• Nails grow at a rate of about 3mm per month, but this slows when you get older.
• Nail growth can be affected by how healthy you are, your diet, any medication you take and pregnancy, during which nails are known to grow at a faster rate.
• Always use a non-acetone nail polish remover, as acetone can dehydrate your nails.

In order to grow your nails longer, they need to be made stronger, and to do this it is important that first you understand your nail type.

Dry and Flaky
Description: This type of nail tends to be prone to flaking and splitting. As your nails become more dehydrated with age and in cold weather it is a good idea to get into the habit of caring for them regularly.
Care: Dry and flaky nails benefit from daily moisturisation. Try to buy some nail oil, keep a bottle in the bathroom, another by the kitchen sink and one in your handbag. Massage a few drops into your nails and cuticle every time you wask your hands. This will not only keep your nail bed moist, it will help disguise dry, flaky bits. Lip balm makes a good emergency alternative if nail oil isn’t handy.

Oily and soft
Description: This type of nail feels bendy and soft so is less likely to crack but it has a tendency to peel off in layers. It also has difficulty holding onto nail polish and nail extentions, which tend to slide over the oily surface rather than sticking to it.
Care: Oily nails benefit from the moisture stripping qualities of acetone based polish removers. They also grow stronger with nail-hardening formulas.

Thin and brittle
Descriptions: This nail is the weakest type and is most prone to snapping and breaking. The longer this type of nail gets the more vulnerable it is making it alomost impossible to grow past the stubby stage.
Care: Brittle nails need moisturizing four times a week with penetrating nail oil to improve their durability and flexibility. Nail strengthening  formulas add protective layers and can be used as a base coat. Look for formulas that are free of formaldehyde and toluene - these make thin nails even more brittle.

You’re nails are no different to your skin and hair, neglect them and  they’ll show it.

Lara Bella Vella Baldacchino
Email: smartylara@gmail.com
Tel: 79791105
Beauty Expressed in Colours, Dun Tarcis Agius Sqr, M’Scala.