Why our nails bend so easily?

Ever feel your nails bending or becoming weak? It’s so frustrating, especially when you want strong, healthy nails. But don’t worry-brittle and bending nails are normal, and there are reasons behind them. Let’s see why your nails bend so easily and how you can strengthen them.

Lacking Essential Nutrients

Your nails require proper nutrition in order to remain strong. When a nail bends with ease then it indicates

Deficiency Indicators via Nail Bending

• Biotin, Vitamin B7: Acts as a source of nail strength and thickness. Their deficiency makes your nails weak and easy to bending.
• Iron: Low levels of iron result in very thin and soft nails which break off.
• Protein: Nails are made of keratin, a type of protein. If your diet lacks protein, then it would be soft and easy to bend.
• Zinc & Calcium: Both are necessary for the growth of nails and strength. Their Deficiency causes soft, bendy nails.

Solution

Take eggs, nuts, dairy, green leafy vegetables, and fish in your balanced diet.

Too Much Moisture Exposure

Water is hydrating, but overuse can soft your nails. When your fingers are constantly soaked in water through washing dishes, constant hand washes, or swimming, then your nails start to absorb it and become weak and bendy.

Solution

Wear gloves doing household chores, and apply some good nail-strengthening cream to shield them.

Over Use of Nail Products

While nail polish, acrylics, and gel nails look wonderful to the eyes, in the longterm, they might damage your nails. The chemicals involved in nail polish removers, especially acetone, remove the natural oils from your nails and weaken them so that they can bend easily.

Solution

Get away for a few days to let-your nails get a break from polish and acrylics. Switch to acetone-free nail polish remover and apply strengthening nail serum.

Dehydration

If you drink too little water, so does your body—and therefore your nails. Dehydration dries out the nail, causes cracking, and bending.

Solution

Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day and use a moisturizing cuticle oil to keep the nails hydrated.

Aging

Aging causes the nails to have a naturally thinner thickness and become soft. The production of keratin declines, which results in softer nails  and break easily.

Solution

Of course, it is natural, but you may delay its natural course by sticking to a proper diet, strengthening nail products, and keeping them short to minimize breakage.

Health Problems

Some health conditions will make your nail bend. In medical terms, these include:

• Anemia; Iron deficiency usually leads to nails that are more thin and feeble.
• Thyroid Issues: Nails may become brittle and the pace of nail growth will be much slower.
• Psoriasis or Eczema: Can affect the nails, making them weak and ridged.

Solution

If your nails are always weak despite proper care, it is best to see a doctor for a health check-up.

Nails Bending Due to Using Nails as Tools

Do you use your nails frequently to open soda cans, scratch off stickers, or type on hard surfaces? These small habits put unnecessary pressure on your nails, causing them to bend and weaken over time.

Solution

Avoid using your nails for tasks that require force. Use proper tools instead!

Genetics Problems

Sometimes, soft and flexible nails are inherited from family members. If your parents or siblings have soft nails, then you probably inherited the same nail structure.

Solution

Though you cannot do anything about genetics, you can make your nails stronger by taking proper care of them, proper diet, and proper protective habits.

How to Strengthen Your Nails?

Now that we know why the nails bend easily, here are some quick tips to strengthen them:

• Eat a protein diet rich in biotin and iron.
• Keep your nails short, trim them neatly so they do not break easily.
• Avoid excessive exposure to water and chemicals.
• Nail hardener or strengthener.
• Moisturize using cuticle oil and hand cream.
• Take a break from nail polish and acrylics.
• Hydrate and drink plenty of water.

Final Thoughts

Bending nails are annoying, but they often point to something minor, like a nutrient deficiency or too much moisture. By making a few lifestyle changes and giving your nails some care, you can get stronger, healthier nails in no time!

If your nails still won’t get stronger, even after trying everything, consider visiting a doctor to rule out an underlying health issue.