Nail technicians play a crucial role in repairing and strengthening their clients' weak or brittle nails. The right products and care can make all the difference. In this blog post, you'll discover everything you need to know about weak nails, their causes, and how you, as a nail technician, can help your clients with innovative products and helpful care tips.

What are weak nails?

Weak nails are nails that break, split, or bend easily and often have a thin, brittle structure. They can be very susceptible to further damage. Healthy nails should be strong and flexible, while weak nails often feel dry or too soft. Fortunately, there are ways to strengthen and protect weak nails with the right care and products.

Causes of weak and brittle nails

Several factors can contribute to weak and brittle nails. Common causes include:

• Improper removal of artificial nails: Picking or pulling off product residue can damage the natural nail.
• Over-Filing: Using an electric or hand file can make the nail thinner and more brittle if it works too hard on the natural nail.
• Medical factors: Medications, vitamin deficiencies, or heredity can affect nail growth and strength.
• Daily habits: Frequent contact with water or harsh chemicals can dry out and weaken nails.
• Genetic factors: Nail strength and growth can also be genetically determined.

Fortunately, there are ways to limit this damage and make nails healthy and strong again.

Nutrition and lifestyle: building blocks for strong nails

What we eat has a major impact on the health of our nails. Here are some key nutrients for strong nails:

• Biotin (B8): Helps make nails thicker and stronger.
• Iron: A deficiency can lead to brittle nails with ridges.
• Zinc: Promotes cell growth and nail repair.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Prevent nails from drying out.
• Proteins: Because nails are made of keratin, protein-rich foods help build them.

In addition, stress, hormonal fluctuations, and a lack of hydration can also negatively impact your nails. A healthy lifestyle and proper water intake are therefore crucial.

Nail care tips for weak nails

Besides nutrition, daily care plays an important role in strengthening your nails. Here are some practical tips:

• Hydrate your nails: Use a nourishing nail oil like TS Cuticle Bliss to keep your nails supple. This oil, enriched with olive oil, avocado oil, citrus oils, and jojoba oil, prevents dehydration and helps keep cuticles healthy.
• Wear gloves when doing housework: This protects your nails from harsh cleaning agents and frequent contact with water.
• Don't use nail polish removers containing acetone: These dry out your nails. Choose a mild remover with nourishing ingredients.
• Use a glass file: A glass file prevents the nail edges from splitting by sealing them better.

Providing this kind of information and products for weak nails will, after positive results, make the customer's trust in you and your knowledge unbreakable, just like their nails.

Recovery time of weak nails

Nails grow slowly, and healing weak or brittle nails can take several months. The nail plate typically takes 3 to 6 months to fully recover. The faster your nails grow (for example, through a healthy diet or during the summer), the faster they will heal. So patience is key!

Common Misconceptions About Weak Nails

There are many myths about weak nails. Here are some misconceptions:

• White spots indicate a calcium deficiency. This isn't true; white spots often arise from minor damage to the nail.
• Nail hardeners always help weak nails. Some nail hardeners can actually dry out and further weaken nails.
• Nails need to breathe. Nails are dead tissue and don't require oxygen.

Which products are suitable for customers with weak and brittle nails?

As nail technicians, we all understand the importance of healthy nails for our clients. Our products are designed for healthy, strong nails, and we know the frustration of peeling nails because the natural nail is thin, weak, and damaged.

1. T-Lastic : For clients with very thin and flexible nails, where T-Gel and Builder Gel are simply too hard and will easily peel off, T-Lastic is perfect. This natural-nail gel remains resilient and prevents lifting, even when the natural nail bends. Clients rave about the adhesion and the beautiful end result.
2. TS Gel Rescue : TS Gel Rescue is a clear polish without harmful additives, ideal for clients who don't want artificial nails but do want a treatment to repair their nails. It is applied three times a week and air-dries. Clients have reported that their nails feel stronger after use. It distinguishes itself from so-called nail hardeners on the market because Gel Rescue doesn't dry out the nail but forms a flexible protective layer.