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Peeling nails, often caused by excessive hand washing, chemical exposure, or nail polish damage, can be a source of embarrassment. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to heal your nails and prevent further peeling. Stop using nail polish or getting manicures for a while and focus on restoring moisture to your nail beds with oils and lotions. Take preventive measures, such as wearing gloves while cleaning, using tools like letter openers to open packages, and taking supplements to strengthen your nails.
Steps
Dealing with Peeling Nails
Remove nail polish with an acetone-free nail polish remover. If you notice your nails peeling, stop using nail polish for a few weeks to allow them to recover. In the meantime, purchase an acetone-free nail polish remover (acetone dries out the cuticles, so it’s best to avoid it) to clean off any remaining polish.
- Avoid peeling or picking at the nail polish. This can severely damage your nails, and peeling or picking often removes a layer of the nail.
- Use a cotton pad or cotton swab to remove the polish. Gently wipe each nail until it’s clean.
- For gel or shellac polish, you’ll need an acetone-based remover to fully clean the nails.
- Always moisturize after removing nail polish. Even acetone-free removers can dry out your nails.
Trim your nails after bathing to prevent cracking. To aid in recovery, keep your nails short for a few weeks. After bathing, trim your nails so they align with your fingertips. Repeat this weekly until the peeling stops.
- Nails are softer after bathing, making it the ideal time to trim them and prevent further breakage.
- Always use clean nail clippers. You can sterilize the tool beforehand with warm water and dish soap.
File your nails into a rounded shape to avoid snagging. Position the file parallel to the nail tip and file from the edge toward the center, then continue from the center to the opposite edge. Always file in one direction (avoid back-and-forth motions, as they increase the risk of breakage or further peeling). Continue until the nails are rounded rather than square.
- Always file after trimming to smooth out rough edges.
- Use a fine-grit file to polish the nail surface. For shortening nails, start with a coarse-grit file before finishing with a fine-grit one.
Apply moisturizing oil to your nails and cuticles daily. There are various nail oils available, with cuticle oils from beauty stores being the best option. You can also use natural oils like olive oil, coconut oil, or argan oil. Use a dropper to apply a drop of oil to each nail, then massage it into the nail bed.
- Moisturizing oils hydrate the nails, reducing the likelihood of peeling.
Regularly apply hand cream to rehydrate damaged nails. While treating peeling nails, don’t forget to keep your hands and nails moisturized. Use hand cream multiple times a day, especially after washing your hands.
- Make it a habit to carry lotion with you throughout the day to keep your nails hydrated at all times.
Avoid nail polish, acrylics, and gel nails. While it might be tempting to hide peeling nails under a fresh coat of polish or enjoy salon treatments, refrain from applying any polish for 2-3 weeks. Your nails need time to hydrate and recover, and nail polish, acrylics, or gels can delay healing and cause further damage.
- When you resume using nail polish, avoid peeling off old layers.
Take Preventive Measures
Wear gloves to protect your nails during cleaning and household chores. Nails can dry out from frequent exposure to water and cleaning chemicals. Next time you wash dishes or clean the house, put on rubber gloves before starting.
- Gloves aren’t just good for your nails—they also shield your hands from dryness or irritation caused by cleaning products.
Dry your hands thoroughly whenever they get wet. While water might seem hydrating, it actually strips moisture from your skin and nails. Avoid letting water sit on your skin. After washing your hands or getting them wet, use a clean towel to dry them completely.
- Apply moisturizer after drying to keep your hands and nails hydrated.
Use tools instead of your nails to open packages. Avoid using your nails to scrape off labels, peel tape, or remove stickers, and refrain from using them to open boxes, envelopes, or other packaging. Instead, use a letter opener, box cutter, or scissors.
- Even opening a soda can can damage your nails. Use your fingers, a coin, or another tool whenever possible.
Resist the urge to pick or peel off nail polish. If you have nail polish on, avoid peeling or picking at it. Even if the polish starts to chip, don’t pull it off, as this can remove a layer of your nail along with the polish. Instead, use an acetone-free nail polish remover to clean it off.
- This is especially important for shellac or gel nails—peeling them off can take months to recover from the damage.
Take supplements like biotin, iron, or zinc. Biotin can strengthen nails (and is also great for hair), zinc can help with discolored or patchy nails, and iron can thicken thin nail areas. Choose a daily supplement and take it consistently for 3-4 months to observe how your body responds.
- You can also boost your nutrition by eating iron-rich foods like spinach, beans, red meat, and pumpkin seeds.
Avoid excessive buffing while caring for your nails. Buffing can strip away layers of your nails, remove essential oils, and even catch on peeling sections. If you do buff your nails, limit it to 6-8 strokes per nail and avoid applying too much pressure.
- While buffing can shape nails and create a smooth surface, skip this step for a few months if your nails are peeling until they regain strength.
Tips
- Take care of your hands and nails after heavy activities like hiking, gardening, or painting.
- If your toenails are peeling, you can also use the methods above to treat and prevent further peeling.
What You'll Need
Treating Peeling Nails
- Acetone-free nail polish remover
- Cotton pads
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Cuticle oil or similar product
- Dropper
- Hand lotion
Taking Preventive Measures
- Cleaning gloves
- Letter opener or box cutter
- Iron, zinc, or biotin supplements (optional)
