Any advice on how I can maintain strong, healthy, active-length nails? My nails tend to split and become brittle. Would a weekly manicure help or perhaps there’s a good polish you could recommend? - Kara, Phillipsburg, NJ

- Brett Blumenthal, Spa Expert and Fitness Consultant
I tend to have this problem myself, and it can be worse or better, depending on the season. Believe it or not, our nails’ ability to grow is largely hereditary, so if your mom had weak nails, good chance you might as well. I personally find that weekly manicures can help protect my nails, but nail polish and acetone from removers can dry your nails, causing them to be more brittle.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Protect your nails from water: Water can actually dry out nails, causing them to split. If you do a lot of cleaning or dish-washing, wear gloves
• Apply hand cream religiously: A heavier moisturizer will seal moisture into nails, making them stronger and more flexible. Do this everytime after you wash your hands.
• Limit use of nail polish remover to no more than once a week. It contains alcohol and other chemicals which make nails brittle.
• Buff your nails instead of using polish. This can actually stimulate nail growth.
• Keep nail length approrpiate: If you are active, don’t keep your nails long. This increases your chance of breaking them. 1/8″ beyond the tip is a good maximum length

Also, when you use products on your nails, try to use those that don’t have toxic chemicals. For choices that are healthier, check out this site: Skin Deep - Cosmetic Database