Zinc deficiencies are linked to white spots, increased infections, and poor growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe RDA for zinc is 8-11 mg per day for adult women and men. Oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, and dairy are good food sources. However, the typical American diet provides less than required. Thus, a zinc supplement can help fill the gap for optimal nail health.<\/p>\n
Choose a supplement with zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate or zinc citrate for maximum absorption. With adequate zinc intake, you can enjoy strong nails that grow quickly and look their best.<\/p>\n
Nail Enhancement Options<\/h2>\nNail Hardeners<\/h3>\n
Nail hardeners are an effective option for improving the strength and durability of natural nails. They work by forming an extra layer over the nail surface to reinforce weak or brittle nails and prevent chipping, peeling, and breakage.<\/p>\n
Many nail hardeners contain ingredients like calcium, keratin, silk proteins, and formaldehyde resin which help harden the nail plates. Using a nail hardener regularly can restore soft, peeling nails to a healthy condition in just a few weeks!<\/p>\n
Some popular over-the-counter nail hardening brands include OPI Nail Envy, Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, and Essie Hard to Resist. Applying a nail hardener as a base coat underneath nail polish can also prevent cracks and make manicures last longer.<\/p>\n
Just be sure to avoid formaldehyde-based formulas if you have sensitive skin or allergies.<\/p>\n
Gel Manicures<\/h3>\n
Gel manicures have become a popular nail enhancement service at many salons. Gel polish is applied similarly to regular polish, but it is cured under a UV or LED lamp to create an ultra-glossy and durable manicure that can last up to 3 weeks with limited chipping or peeling!<\/p>\n
Gel manicures help naturally weak nails gain strength and grow longer without breaks. The gel formula acts as a protective layer over the nail. Gel manicures also dry quickly within minutes and offer a wider range of color options compared to acrylics or fiberglass wraps.<\/p>\n
There are some health concerns regarding UV exposure from the lamps during curing. However, most salons use LED lamps now which do not emit the same intensity of UV rays. While gel manicures are not permanent enhancements, they are an excellent way to reinforce natural nails over time.<\/p>\n
Acrylics<\/h3>\n
Acrylic nails have been popular since the 1980s for their ability to lengthen, strengthen, and sculpt nails with the application of a liquid and powder polymer mix. They are considered a more permanent nail enhancement that can last 2-4 weeks between fills.<\/p>\n
The acrylic blend adheres to the natural nail and allows shaping and extensions. Acrylic nails are strong and durable compared to natural nails. However, they do require regular maintenance as the nail grows out and occasional removals to avoid excessive product buildup.<\/p>\n
Acrylics also typically require gentle buffing of the natural nail during application which can potentially cause some thinning over time with long-term use. There are acrylic alternatives like gel-acrylic hybrids which combine the strength of acrylics with the UV curing polish of gels.<\/p>\n
Either way, acrylic nails remain a versatile option for dramatically lengthening and reinforcing weak or damaged nails.<\/p>\n
When to See a Professional<\/h2>\nFor Damaged Nails<\/h3>\n
Seeing a professional manicurist is highly recommended if you have severely damaged nails that require expert care. Nails that are peeling, cracking, splitting, or have hangnails can potentially cause pain, snagging, and even infection if not properly treated.<\/p>\n
The seasoned professionals at nail salons have the proper tools, treatments, and techniques to help repair damaged nails and restore them to a healthy state. This includes buffing away roughness, applying nourishing treatments, and using acrylics or gel polish to reinforce weak nails.<\/p>\n
Leaving damaged nails untreated could worsen the problem, so it’s worth investing in professional help. The pros will get those nails back in tip-top shape in no time!<\/p>\n
If You Have Nail Problems<\/h3>\n
Visiting a professional manicurist is recommended if you suffer from chronic nail issues that require specialized care and treatment. Conditions like brittle nails that split and peel easily, discolored yellow nails, and infected nails with fungi or bacteria often need prescription-strength formulas to fully resolve.<\/p>\n
DIY treatments from drugstores simply won’t cut it. The expert nail techs will thoroughly diagnose your nail issues and develop a customized treatment plan. This may involve medicated polishes, oral medications, UV light therapy, or antimicrobial soaks paired with proper nail grooming techniques to nurse your nails back to optimal health.<\/p>\n
With their advanced training, the pros have the knowledge and products to effectively treat various nail problems.<\/p>\n
For Custom Shaping<\/h3>\n
Seeing a professional manicurist is advisable if you want customized, tailored nail shaping and designs versus a generic one-size-fits-all approach. The seasoned experts will carefully evaluate the proportions of your hands, nail beds, and fingers to determine the most flattering nail shapes and lengths for your unique anatomy.<\/p>\n
Whether you want square, squoval, round, oval, or coffin-shaped nails, the professionals will use specialized nail tools to expertly sculpt and define your nails’ edges for a personalized, complementary look.<\/p>\n
They can also create customized art like ombre colors, geometric patterns, chrome accents, or floral designs to reflect your sense of style. A DIY approach often leads to uneven, unbalanced nail shapes. Save yourself the hassle and see the pros for custom, salon-quality work.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
While flat, brittle nails can be frustrating to deal with, taking some time to care for them properly makes a big difference. With the right filing technique, moisturizing routine, supplements, and enhancers, you can help your flat nails grow out healthier, stronger, and nicer looking.<\/p>\n
Don’t hesitate to visit a nail technician if you need help overcoming more severe nail issues or want custom nail shaping.<\/p>\n
With a bit of TLC for those flat nails, you’ll be showing off a beautiful manicure in no time!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you have naturally flat nails that tend to splinter and snag, you know how frustrating it can be to try to grow them out. The good news is there are things you can do to help give your flat nails a nicer shape. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: file the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2508,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/how-to-shape-flat-nails-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/how-to-shape-flat-nails.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}