For some clean-curious beauty fans, breaking up with fake nails may seem like an impossible task, but with a few easy tips and tricks, you can get your nails to look glorious, naturally. “Not only are acrylic and dip powder nails full of potentially nail-harming ingredients, but the process and wear can be very damaging to your nail beds, and if done improperly can even lead to infection,” advises organic manicurist Eunice Montes-Hamaguchi. “To get the acrylic to stick, your natural nails must be filed down, causing damage and making them weaker. They also aren’t flexible like your natural nails, and if you were to break one, you’re more likely to crack and rip at the nail bed.” Naturopathic doctor Tess Marshall, N.D., suggests going cold turkey. “Fake nails, specifically acrylic nails, are made up of ingredients like resin and formaldehyde. These not only can damage your nails directly but are harmful when the fumes are inhaled, especially for the technician, which is why most wear masks.” But by giving your nails a break, you’ll be better off in the long run. Just remind yourself that it’s a temporary stage. Montes-Hamaguchi agrees: “We always recommend seeing a professional to remove them.” But if you can’t get to a salon, she says, there are ways to safely make the switch at home. But once they begin growing over your nail, it’s time to do some damage control: All you need to do is use a wood cuticle stick to gently push back the cuticle. As they get stronger and longer, you can do touch-ups with a file to keep ragged edges at bay. Alternatively, you can DIY at home. Just make sure you use polish without harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and xylene. Look for polishes labeled 7-free or higher. Begin with a base coat, then paint two coats of polish, drying in between coats. Finish with a top coat. Collagen, in particular, has been shown to support nail strength.* One study found that when patients took collagen daily for 24 weeks, it helped support their nail health1, including better growth rates, reduced breakage, and improved appearance.* Be sure to drink enough water since without adequate moisture, nails can become brittle2 and break and peel easily. To lubricate and moisturize your nails, eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids3. Vitamin C is essential for producing collagen, which strengthens your nails. Eating enough protein through your diet increases keratin production4 to support strong nails. Not only will your nails be healthier overall, but you’ll limit your exposure to some questionable ingredients that are often found in standard nail products. And from there, it only takes a few steps to get your nails growing long and strong.
