Weak, brittle or ridged natural nails? An expert shares treatment tips

Nail industry veteran, Marian Newman BEM, shares top tips for caring for weak, brittle and ridged natural nails…

Weak nails

A client may have thin and weak nails as a natural characteristic or result of a systemic condition. Weak nails can also be due to external impacts, such as damage from poorly applied or maintained artificial nails, the effect of chemicals, and bitten but growing nails.

Whatever the cause, the treatment is the same. The nails must be treated gently and buffing should be avoided. Filing should also be kept to a minimum.

Weak nails may benefit from wearing nail polish, which can be reapplied every two days. This will offer some measure of protection by providing an extra thickness to the nail and sealing the edge to prevent peeling. If the nails are bending, the polish may peel away, but it can be reapplied. Massaging cuticle oil into the skin and nail is also essential to replace any oils lost.

Brittle nails

A manicure can proceed as usual for brittle nails, which will benefit from a treatment using plenty of creams and oils, for example warm oil or heat treatments.

Basic base coats can be used for the condition, and recommended aftercare is application of cuticle oil and hand cream several times per day. If nails are very brittle, it is best to keep them short to avoid painful breaks.

Ridged nails

There are different types of ridged nails: those that are found on thick, brittle nails and those found on thin nails. It is important you know which type you are dealing with.

If the nail has thickened into ridges and minimising the appearance of them via buffing will not result in the nail plate becoming too thin, they can be treated. However, if the nail plate is the same thickness throughout and the ridges are folds created by the nail bed or matrix, they should not be buffed. This is because the ridges will become splits.

Aftercare

At the end of a treatment, repeat and reinforce aftercare recommendations that are relevant to the client’s nail condition. Suggest retail products and further treatments that will support, and always remember to note your aftercare and retail recommendations on the client’s record.

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