shiny nails
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shiny nailsNails reflect cleanliness and represent the health. Generally, nails are layers of keratin, a protein used to make your hair and outer layer of skin.

Manicuring nails is a great way to keep them healthy, free from nail fungus and shiny. Some believe nail polish keeps nails strong, but actually nail polish contains harmful chemicals and blocks oxygen and nutrients from the nail.

Nails should be cared for both internally and externally: through proper diet and nutrients and by keeping nails clean.

Home Remedies for Shiny Nails:

These safe and simple home remedies make nails look beautiful, healthy, and shiny.

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil is great for your overall health. It contains linoleic acid which makes it a good moisturizer. This effectively prevents water from evaporating and makes nails look perfect and shiny.

Process 1:

  • Mix organic olive oil and warm water in a bowl.
  • Soak your nails for 5 minutes.
  • Massage the nails with warm olive oil.
  • Repeat regularly for best results.
  • Note: Alternately use freshly-squeezed lemon juice instead of water.

Process 2:

  • Warm olive oil in a bowl.
  • Soak your nails for 5 minutes.
  • Remove hands and wear cotton gloves overnight.
  • The next morning, rinse with water.
  • Moisturize with hand or nail cream.
  • Repeat regularly for best results.

2. Avocados

Avocadoes are rich in fat, nutrients, and protein which restore shine to brittle nails. Daily consumption of avocados delivers phytonutrients, minerals, and other essential vitamins to the body. Alternately apply avocado oil to the nails to protect from dryness. This oil contains anti-oxidant properties, vitamins A, B, B1, B2, D, and E, beta-carotene, and potassium which make nails healthy and shiny.

Process:

  • Mix a mashed avocado and rosewater to make a paste.
  • Apply to the nails and gently massage.
  • Leave for 15 – 25 minutes and rinse with water.
  • Repeat regularly to maintain healthy, pink and shiny nails.
  • It nourishes the brittle and dull nails.

3. Milk

Milk is an effective remedy that cleanses nails by absorbing the milk’s nourishment.

Process:

  • Warm milk in a bowl.
  • Soak your nails for 5 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Moisturize with hand or nail cream.
  • Repeat regularly to get shiny nails.

4. Lemon Manicure

Lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent which removes stains and leaves nails shiny.

Ingredients:

  • Freshly-squeezed lemon juice – 1 to 2 tablespoon
  • Vinegar – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Warm water
  • Tooth brush or nail brush

Process:

  • Soak your nails in lemon juice for 5 minutes.
  • Mix vinegar and warm water.
  • Dip brush in the mixture and gently scrub your nails to remove dirt and dust from nails.
  • Rinse with water and apply moisturizer, if desired.
  • Repeat 1 – 2 times for two weeks to maintain healthy nails.
  • Note: Dilute lemon juice with water if you have sensitive skin.

5. Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and Lemon Juice

Coconut and olive oil have important nutrients that strengthen nails and cuticles. Lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent which removes stains and leaves nails shiny.

Ingredients:

  • Coconut oil – 1 teaspoon
  • Olive oil – 1 teaspoon
  • Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
  • Warm water – 1/2 cup
  • Lukewarm water
  • Hand moisturizer or nail cream

Process:

  • Pour warm water, lemon juice, olive oil, and coconut oil in a bowl.
  • Soak your nails for 15 – 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Apply hand or nail cream.
  • Repeat weekly for healthy cuticles.

6. Butter

Butter is a smooth, fatty substance that moisturizes the nails. Butter contains sodium, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, B, C, and E, making nails shine.

Process:

  • Apply melted butter to your nails and gently massage.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat daily for best results.

7. Baby Oil

Water exposure breaks down the keratin in nails which is needed to make nails strong. Baby oil is an effective remedy to restoring keratin to nails and cuticles.

Process:

  • Apply warm baby oil to your nails and gently massage.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat regularly for best results.
  • Note: Apply before bed, leave overnight, and rinse with warm water the next morning for added results.

8. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural oil which contains vitamin E, healthy fats, lauric acid, and caprylic, all essential for healthy nails, hair, and skin and is great for fighting infection and fungus. It softens the nails and cuticles, moisturizes the hands and finally prevents hangnails.

Process:

  • Apply warm baby oil to your nails and gently massage.
  • Allow oil to soak into the skin.
  • Repeat twice daily for best results.

9. Borage

Borago officinails or starflower is an herb where the oil is extracted from borage seeds widely used by many herbalists due to its anti-inflammatory, weight management, and skin-friendly benefits. This seed oil is rich in gamma – linolenic acid (GLA), omega – 3, tannin, salicylic acid, mucilage, potassium nitrate, resin, magnesium, and calcium that makes this oil a beneficial remedy for treating nail and health problems. This seed oil prevents nails from cracking and keeps them healthy and shiny.

  • The recommended daily dosage of borage oil is 600 mg of GLA.
  • 1 teaspoon of borage oil contains 600 mg of GLA.
  • It is available in soft gel, oil and capsules form. You can use any form by consulting the doctor.

10. Vitamin E

It is an essential ingredient for maintaining healthy and shiny nails. This vitamin improves blood circulation which carries oxygen to nail beds. Both vitamin E and vitamin C clear the impurities and dryness in nails. Food rich in vitamin E include avocados and rich in vitamin are tomatoes, lemons, and oranges.

  • Cut a ripen avocado and tomato. Mix them and eat.
  • Or Cut a ripen avocado and add oranges and grapefruit. Eat this salad.
  • Alternately extract the oil from vitamin E oil capsules and apply to the nail before bed.

11. Hydrochloric acid-rich foods

This acid helps break down food in the stomach and absorbs the nutrients into the body. Deficiency of this acid is generally due a poor diet rich in sugar and processed carbohydrates. This deficiency makes the skin, nails, and hair unhealthy. It is important to include hydrochloric acid in your daily diet to obtain the sufficient amount.

  • Celery contains sodium which increases the hydrochloric acid and stimulates bile acid secretion. Add celery to curried or drink celery juice.
  • Spinach, kale and barley grass and other leafy vegetables stimulate the hydrochloric acid (HCL) production in the stomach. Add chopped spinach, kale and barley grass to your curries and use as a salad dressing.
  • Black Olives stimulate the production of HCL which in turns helps to break down the food to absorb the nutrients by the body. Include black olives in your diet.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar breaks down the food to absorb the nutrients. Add 2 tablespoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Drink this to get shiny nails.
  • Lemon Juice helps to increase the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Stir 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a glass of water and drink.

12. Black currant seed oil

A natural source of gamma – linolenic acid (GLA), this oil is used to treat brittle, dry nails, restoring shine and health. The omega – 6 fat is somewhat difficult to get from your diet, so consume 500 mg of black seed oil twice daily for at least two months for best results.

13. Yogurt

Yogurt has almost all the essential nutrients necessary for healthy and shiny nails: iron, calcium, folate, vitamins A, B, D, C, E, and K, zinc, and protein. Yogurt has friendly bacteria called probiotics that help digest food properly and absorb trace minerals into the body. Yogurt also contains hydrochloric acid that helps your body absorb essential nutrients. Eat yogurt 1 – 2 times daily for best results.

14. Protein

Eat foods rich in protein to give your nails the essential strength, health, and shine because nails are made up of the structural proteins known as keratin. Dink protein shakes or eat foods rich in protein like: fish, eggs, daily, pork, beef, chick, beans, and vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, watercress, artichoke, and sweet corn.

15. Fish Oil

Fish oil is fully loaded with essential nutrients, healthy fats, and vitamins. Fish oil contains omega – 3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and, instead, lubricate and moisturize nails to make them shiny. Fish oil has vitamin A that nourishes nail cuticles. Consume 3000 mg of high-quality fish oil on daily basis.

16. Biotin

Biotin is a B-complex vitamin, an essential nutrient for the body. Biotin is essential for building healthy fats in the skin and nails and improves keratin infrastructure. Consuming an excessive amount of biotin, however, can have side effects such as slow insulin release, high blood sugar levels, low vitamin B6 and C levels, and skin rashes. Natural sources are better than biotin supplements. Food rich in biotin include: peanuts, sweet potato, oats, almonds, walnuts, carrots, onions, eggs, tomatoes, salmon, bananas, liver, mushrooms, sardines, brewer’s yeast, cauliflower, and legumes.

17. Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is similar to borage seed oil, containing high concentrations of gamma – linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic acid (LA), and other essential nutrients. If applied regularly, this oil will make nails stronger, healthier, and shinier, but be sure to consult a doctor first. Take 500 mg primrose oil or capsules twice daily for 6 – 8 weeks for best results. Alternately massage the oil on the nails before bed.

Tips:

  • Use chemical-free and high-quality nail polish. Chemicals, as found in acetone polish, may damage and dull the nail. Allow your nails time to breathe. Avoid putting nail polish on continuously. Stop picking away at chipped nail polish as this will result in nail damage.
  • Regular manicures help keep nails healthy by clearing dead cells and moisturizing. Trim nails regularly, but while shaping, never saw back and forth as this weakens the nail. Never cut the cuticle as these protect the nail root from harmful bacteria.
  • Nails should not be treated as tools. Never use nails to open anything. This causes friction and results in broken or dull nails.
  • Dry nails look dull and damaged; keep hands and nails moisturized to maintain shiny nails. Use either moisturizing creams or lotions, cuticle oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or Vaseline/petroleum jelly.
  • Apply cucumber juice to get shiny nails.
  • Over using hand sanitizers and soaps can dry out nails. Use in moderation.
  • Never bite your nails as this causes damage.
  • Drink as much water as possible to clear harmful toxins from the body.
  • Scrub the nails weekly to remove dead cells and other impurities.
  • Soaking nails in warm water can nourish nails, clears toxins, and maintain shine.
  • Wear gloves while washing dishes and clothes to protect nails from harsh chemicals.
  • Include the foods which are rich in B – complex, calcium, vitamins A, C &D and iron in your diet and eat fresh vegetables and fruits, greens, nuts, whole grains, etc.
  • Gelatin supplements contain high amounts of collagen, essential for hair and nail growth. This can be found in any health food store.
  • Consult your healthcare provider or doctor before doing any of these remedies. Nobody is structured the same and therefore should consult a physician. Dull or damaged nails can caused due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Have you tried any of these methods? Do you know any other methods to achieve shiny nails? Share your experience with us!

5 comments
    1. Nails are made up of a protein called keratin which is used to make your hair. Lack of iron and biotin in the body results in weak and brittle nails. Include iron and biotin rich foods in your daily diet. You can also take biotin and iron supplements to cover up the deficiency faster. Apart from that, you massage your nails with coconut oil, vitamin E oil or olive oil to strengthen them.

  1. when i remove nail polishes my nails become dry and sometimes nail gets peel off is there any solution for this ?

    1. It may be because of the nail polish you are using. The chemicals present in it might be the reason. It is better to avoid applying nail polishes or try a different brand.

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