How to Strengthen Nails

Weak, brittle, or cracked nails can occur for a number of reasons. Nails become weaken when they are abused, when they grow out too long, or when they are exposed to certain agents. Here are some ways to keep your nails strong and healthy.
Step 1
Avoid prolonged exposure to water. Water dries your nails out, leaving them weak and more prone to breaking. Try to limit how long you spend swimming, soaking in the jacuzzi, or soaking in the bathtub. When you are cleaning, use rubber gloves.
Step 2
Moisturize your nails. Olive oil works particularly well for this. Try pouring olive oil into an old nail polish container, and use the brush to brush the oil on your nails. Also, when you use lotion on your hands rub some of the lotion into your nails. If your nails are severely dry, apply petroleum jelly to your nails before you go to bed, and cover your hands with gloves. Wash off in the morning.
Step 3
Take a biotin supplement. Biotin can help repair and strengthen nails, and it also helps strengthen your hair.
Step 4
Avoid abusing your nails. Constantly scratching or picking at things with your nails, as well as biting them, weakens them and makes them more prone to breaking.
Step 5
Trim your nails regularly. Try to keep them fairly short, to prevent breakage.
Step 6
If you paint your nails, avoid products with toluene, sulfonamide, or formaldehyde. These chemicals will weaken your nails and cause breakage.
Step 7
Try not to use nail polish remover more than two times a month. When you do use polish remover, avoid products with acetone.
Step 8
If your nails crack or break, do not rip off the nail, as this will cause further damage. Use a clear glue to hold the nail in place, until the nail grows out far enough that you can clip the broken part of the nail.