As the seasons shift from summer to autumn, your beauty routine likely undergoes changes to adjust to the cooler environment. While updating your skincare is essential, nail care is another area to have a keen focus on. The autumn weather, characterized by lower temperatures, dry air, and a sudden decrease in humidity, can be harsh on your nails, leaving them dry, weak and susceptible to peeling. However, by sparing a little extra time every week for your nails, you can keep them intact and healthy.
When autumn arrives, one must be equipped with several essential nail care tips. As the saying goes, ‘you are what you eat’, and this applies to your nails as well. To keep them healthy and strong, maintaining a well-balanced diet is crucial. Ensuring the inclusion of vitamins and nutrients like Biotin and Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in diverse foods like eggs, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds, can aid in enhancing your nail health. These nutrients help to strengthen the nails and prevent brittleness.
Moreover, the consumption of sufficient protein is crucial as nails are made up of a protein called keratin. Incorporating good protein sources like poultry, fish, red meat, eggs, and beans in your meals will supply the right amount of protein your nails need to stay healthy.
Just like the skin, nails also suffer from a lack of moisture during the autumn season. Consequently, they need extra support to retain moisture. The lower humidity and temperature levels, combined with the increased exposure to indoor heating, can lead to dry and parched nails. This may also result in brittleness and cracking. To combat this, it is recommended to moisturize your hands and nails daily, focusing on the cuticles.
Using a moisturizing nail care product once a week is another feasible approach to locking in moisture. Various oils and creams specially designed for nail health are available on the market. Additionally, immersing your nails in warm coconut or olive oil can be a natural and effective method. This not only helps to strengthen your nails and promote healthy growth but also deeply hydrates them.
While long nails may appear gracefully elegant, with the onset of autumn, they can become brittle and start to falter. Maintaining them at a shorter length can prevent painful breaks and cracks. Regular trimming and filing are also vital to sustaining nail health. For this purpose, a high-quality nail clipper and a smooth, gentle file are recommended. Moreover, buffing should be done gently and cautiously, as aggressive buffing can cause further nail damage.
Lastly, it’s paramount to take regular breaks from nail enhancements such as gel polish and acrylics. Although these treatments help the nails look freshly manicured, frequent use can weaken your natural nails due to dryness. Allowing your nails to rest and recover at least once a month without manicure is a good practice. During these breaks, one can opt for temporary options like gel nail stickers for special occasions. These stickers offer similar aesthetics but can be easily removed afterward.
In conclusion, adhering to an effective nail care routine, including nutrition intake, adequate hydration, regular grooming, and limited use of enhancements, can help maintain healthy, strong, and beautiful nails during the autumn season.