Nails that keep breaking: causes, home care and repair

Nails that break, split or peel are most often dried out: too much water and soap, and too little moisture afterwards. Wearing gloves, moisturising nails and cuticles several times a day and keeping nails short while they are weak all help. We can fix a single broken nail in 15 minutes, and if your natural nails keep breaking, gel reinforcement can give them a protective layer.

Why do my nails keep breaking?

Brittle nails are very common. A review in the journal Dermatology and Therapy estimates that up to 20% of people are affected, especially women over 50. The nails split into layers at the tip, crack lengthwise, or turn soft and lose their flexibility.

The most common cause is what happens to your hands day to day. When a nail keeps going from wet to dry, it weakens over time. Think washing up, cleaning and frequent hand washing, and using your nails as tools.

Other things that can play a part:

• Age and pregnancy. Nails often get more brittle with age, and during pregnancy they can become harder, softer or more brittle, according to the NHS.
• Picking and biting. When you peel off gel polish or gel, you tear away the top layers of your own nail with it.
• Filing the wrong way. A back-and-forth sawing motion can fray the edge. File in one direction with a fine file.
• Health conditions. The NHS lists psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections, iron deficiency and thyroid problems among the things that can affect nails.

What can you do at home about brittle nails?

The most important step is to stop whatever is drying your nails out. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing gloves for cleaning and washing dishes, and moisturising after hand washing. It sounds simple, but this is where most people notice the biggest difference.

• Wear rubber gloves when your hands are in water or cleaning products.
• Moisturise nails and cuticles several times a day with a rich cream, cuticle oil or petroleum jelly. An extra round before bed is a good habit.
• Keep nails short while they are weak. A short nail breaks less often than a long one.
• File away a small snag straight away, before it catches and tears the nail.
• Never peel off gel polish or gel nails. See how to do it gently in our guide to safe gel and gel polish removal.
• Look after your cuticles. They protect the base of the nail, so push them back gently instead of cutting them. See our cuticle care guide.

What about vitamins? The same review says biotin and other supplements have been reported to help some people with brittle nails that have no known cause. The evidence is limited, so talk to your doctor before you start taking supplements. Give any change a few months, because a new nail takes a long time to grow out.

What should you do when a nail breaks?

When a nail breaks or splits, the first job is to stop the damage from getting worse.

• Check the damage. A crack in the white free edge is usually something you can handle yourself. If the break reaches the pink part, bleeds or hurts, don't glue it.
• File the crack smooth in one direction, so it doesn't catch on clothes and hair.
• Hold the nail together with a plaster or a bit of tape if the crack is longer, until you can get it repaired.
• Don't cut deep into a crack. It usually just makes the fingertip more tender.

The home trick with nail glue and a small piece of tea bag is popular. It can work as a temporary fix on the free edge, but glue should never touch your skin or an open wound.

When can we help in the salon?

At HER Beauty we have two treatments for nails that break.

Nail Fix: one nail in 15 minutes

If a single nail breaks, you can book a Nail Fix for 55 DKK. It takes about 15 minutes, and it is often enough to save a set of gel nails or a gel polish manicure that is otherwise fine.

Gel reinforcement on your natural nails

If your own nails keep breaking, gel reinforcement can be a good option. We apply gel to your natural nails, so they get a protective layer and can grow out without splitting so easily. It takes 60 minutes and costs 674 DKK. We don't add length, we strengthen the nails you have.

To be honest, gel doesn't cure a brittle nail. The AAD notes that gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and advises against picking gel off. That is why professional removal and good care between visits matter as much as the reinforcement itself. See all prices on our services page.

When should you see a doctor?

A nail that breaks is usually harmless. But see your doctor if:

• the skin around the nail becomes red, swollen, warm and sore, as it may be an infection.
• a nail changes shape or colour, or comes loose for no clear reason.
• the nail gets thick, discoloured or crumbly, which may be a fungal infection.
• you notice a dark streak running along the nail.
• your nails suddenly become brittle without an obvious outside cause.

We are nail technicians, not doctors. If you have signs of infection or fungus, get it checked before you have gel or gel polish applied.

If your nails keep breaking, start with gloves and moisture, and give them time. If a nail breaks along the way, we can fix it quickly. You'll find us at Rosenørns Allé 4, close to Forum Metro, and you can book online Monday to Friday.

Sources

• Chessa MA et al. Pathogenesis, Clinical Signs and Treatment Recommendations in Brittle Nails: A Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;10(1):15-27
• NHS: Nail problems
• American Academy of Dermatology: 11 dermatologists' tips for healthy nails
• American Academy of Dermatology: Gel manicures, dermatologists share tips to keep nails healthy
• American Academy of Dermatology: 12 nail changes a dermatologist should examine