Strengthening nail baths at home: recipes, rules

Due to exposure to an aggressive environment and daily wear and tear, without proper care, even strong nails eventually become weak, brittle and peeling. Homemade baths to strengthen nails are a simple and affordable way to care for the nail plate and cuticle. Depending on the composition, such baths can not only strengthen, but also solve other nail problems.

How to make nail baths

Homemade nail baths are a full-fledged spa procedure that is easy and simple to do yourself. However, it is important to take into account some nuances and follow the correct procedure. Before immersing your fingertips in the bath, you need to clean the nail plate of any type of coating. Even if there is a medicinal colorless varnish on the nails, it should be removed. Afterwards, rinse your hands with warm water and soap or hand gel. It wouldn’t hurt to get a hygienic manicure and file overgrown nails.

Stores sell special containers for nail baths. If you do not have such a bath, then the procedure can be carried out in a wide and shallow bowl. The main thing is that you can pour a sufficient amount of liquid into it, and then freely plunge your hand into it without spilling anything and arrange your wrist in a comfortable way. Place a terry towel under the bowl, which will prevent the bath from sliding on the surface and you won’t have to worry about drops when you remove your hands from the liquid.

Soak your fingertips in the bath for about 10-15 minutes, then remove your hands, rinse with running water if necessary, and blot your hands with a soft, absorbent cloth. Apply moisturizing cream or nourishing vegetable oil (olive, grape seed, jojoba oil, etc.) using massage movements.

Homemade nail baths are done at least once or twice a week. If the nails are seriously damaged, the procedures are carried out in courses - every other day for 15-20 days, alternating them with oil masks.

Rules for the procedure

To achieve the expected result from the procedures, it is recommended to follow some rules.

• Before the bath, you should prepare your hands. To do this, the decorative coating is removed from the nails and the skin is thoroughly washed using soap or gel. The stage ends with passing a soft file over the plates.

• When deciding on a bath recipe, you should clarify what problem the composition helps solve. In addition, it is important to carefully study the ingredients of the product to prevent allergies.

• To carry out the procedures, it is worth choosing a convenient container. Its height should be within 10-20 cm, its diameter should be no less than the length of the palm. Of the materials used to make the bowl, it is better to give preference to plastic; it retains heat longer. Ideally, purchase a professional bath equipped with a thermostat and heating element.

• The duration of the procedure is determined by the condition of the skin, or rather the degree of its sensitivity (from 5 to 30 minutes). The more sensitive the skin, the less time it will take to treat your fingers.

• The bath liquid should be well warm, but not exceed 45 degrees. It is the temperature range of 35-45 degrees that ensures the safety of all vitamins and microelements contained in the components used.

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• After the procedure, hands should be dried with a napkin and thoroughly massaged with a cream with a moisturizing effect.

Baths for strengthening nails at home

Homemade baths for strengthening nails can have different compositions. The nail plate mostly consists of keratin, a fibrillar protein that is also a building block for hair. It is keratin that is responsible for the strength of the nail. The elasticity and shine of the nail plates is given by layers of water and fat-like substances. A healthy nail also contains:

• sulfur;
• zinc;
• chromium;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• manganese;
• iron;
• selenium.

When choosing ingredients for a nail bath, give preference to those that are rich in the listed beneficial substances, nourish and moisturize the nail, and saturate it with protein. The base of the bath does not have to be water. This could be milk, whey, vegetable oil, fruit or vegetable juice, and even beer. Essential oils are added to the bath not only for aroma. They act as whitening, antifungal, antiseptic agents, accelerate nail growth and are useful in the fight against brittleness and delamination of the nail plate.

Most often, nails peel from a lack of sulfur or due to poor hydration, explains Irina Kulalaeva, a teacher at the Moscow Academy of Nail Art, an international class master. Choosing the right hand care products will help solve this problem.

Main characteristics of a manicure bath

The main advantage of this device is its compact size. As an integral attribute of any manicure table, the bath should fit on it, making the work process more comfortable. Despite the fact that the baths have different volumes, they all cope with this task perfectly.

According to its structure, a manicure bath can have only one or two special compartments. The choice among them is determined by the purpose of the manicure. If you plan a hot manicure, use a container with two compartments. The lower compartment contains hotter water. Such natural heating allows you to maintain the temperature for a long time to soften the skin.

There are also types of baths: with electrically heated water and equipped with a thermostat to control the temperature in the compartment.

Pedicure baths are very similar to manicure baths, only they are larger in size. They are also divided into simple models and those that have additional functions such as hydromassage.

Salt baths for nails

Sea salt is good for brittle, flaky nails. Salt adds shine to the nail plate, strengthens it, promotes hydration and protects against harmful UV radiation. Sea salt owes these properties to its composition, which includes useful minerals - iodine, sodium, magnesium, potassium.

For a sea nail bath, only natural sea salt is suitable, without additives or dyes. You will need one tablespoon of salt for every 200 ml of water. You can add 2-3 drops of lemon or grapefruit essential oil into the saline solution. These oils whiten the nail plate and give it extra shine.

Dissolve the salt in warm water, the temperature of which is not higher than 40°C. If desired, you can add essential oil. Dip your fingertips into the bath and hold for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, pat dry with a soft cloth or paper kitchen towel and rub in moisturizing hand cream.

Salt baths for nails can only be done if there are no cracks in the skin of the hands and the cuticle is not injured. Otherwise, choose a different composition.

Preparation for hot manicure

For the hot manicure procedure, you cannot use any lotion; here you need a preparation with a special composition:

• Oil (most often olive) – helps soften the skin, has regenerating properties, eliminates any dryness and flaking;
• Vitamin E – promotes wound healing, helps restore nails after nail extensions. Vitamin of youth and beauty, allows you to keep your hand skin in perfect condition;
• Panthenol – healing and cooling properties. Panthenol is also an excellent moisturizer;
• Herbs – a variety of herbs that have soothing, antiseptic and emollient properties;
• Minerals.

This is one of the most popular recipes for preparing a special drug. In general, various ingredients are used as the main component: oil, glycerin, furatsilin solution, melted wax, lanolin.

Another good lotion recipe for hot manicure:

1. Olive oil;
2. Glycerol;
3. Vitamin A and E;
4. Essential oil.

Recipes for lotions for hot manicure are not chosen by chance. The ingredients are selected in such a way that when heated to 40-50 degrees, they are only beneficial and do not harm the skin. It is not necessary to prepare the lotion yourself; ready-made lotion can be purchased at a beauty salon or pharmacy. It is strictly forbidden to overheat the lotion; not only do the substances included in the composition lose their properties when overheated, but if the product is too hot, it can harm the skin of your hands.

Hot manicure is recommended during cold periods, since it is in autumn and winter that the skin of the hands is exposed to various influences. The separation of the nail plate is caused by weather changes, as well as a lack of vitamins. Hot manicure has a good effect on injured cuticles.

If you perform a hot manicure once a week, the results will not be long in coming. Many clients feel improvements in the condition of the skin of their hands and nails after the first procedure. The cuticle grows more slowly, small wrinkles and cracks disappear, the nails stop flaking and become less brittle.

Nail baths with oils

Vegetable oils are one of the best means for strengthening nails. They contain saturated fatty acids that moisturize the nail plate, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. Almond, olive, linseed, castor oil, wheat germ oil and even ordinary sunflower oil are suitable for preparing baths. In addition to omega-3 acids, these oils contain vitamin B7 (biotin), which is involved in the synthesis of keratin, and vitamins E and A, which promote the growth, strengthening and healthy shine of nails.

If you slightly heat the oils, they will penetrate inside the nail plate more easily, since the heat causes the keratin scales not to fit so tightly to each other. The nourishing oil solution is also useful for dry cuticles. To whiten the nail plate, add lemon juice to oil baths for nails.

Take one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice for every three tablespoons of vegetable oil, heat the mixture in a water bath to body temperature and dip your fingertips in it for 15-20 minutes. Lightly pat your hands dry with a paper kitchen towel and rub the remaining oil into the nails and cuticles using light massage movements.

Lotion for the care of dry skin of hands.

• Mix lemon juice, rose eau de toilette and glycerin in equal proportions. Store the resulting mixture in a dark glass bottle.
• Apply a small amount of the prepared lotion to clean, steamed hands in warm water, after thoroughly drying them, and rub into the skin with massaging movements.

This procedure relieves dryness and irritation, heals small cracks and makes the skin of the hands smooth and soft.

Another folk remedy for hands is lotion with wine (for dry, tight skin).

• Mix 1/2 cup of strong tea leaves and 1 cup of dry sour wine, add 2 teaspoons of sage, the same amount of mint and one teaspoon of rose petals.
• Place the resulting mixture in the refrigerator for ten to eleven days, then strain it. Store in the refrigerator.
• Wipe your hands with this mixture every morning and evening before applying the nourishing cream.

Nail baths at home: using herbs

Among folk recipes for strengthening, moisturizing and treating peeling nails, one often comes across advice to prepare a bath of herbal decoctions. To soften dry cuticles, moisturize the nail plate, and stimulate nail growth, infusions of mint, chamomile, sage, green tea, and linden inflorescences are suitable. For strengthening, decoctions of plants containing silicas and tannins, such as yarrow, nettle, and oak bark, are suitable.

To prepare a herbal bath for nails, pour boiling water over the dried herbs in a ratio of 1:10, cover with a lid and leave to steep for 30-60 minutes. Strain the finished infusion and warm it slightly. You can also add various oils, vegetable or fruit juice, and milk to it. Try making strengthening nail baths using the following ingredients:

• 1/3 cup olive oil;
• 1 glass of infusion of chamomile and mint;
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil.

Heat olive oil in a water bath, add warm herbal infusion to it and drip essential oil. Stir and dip your fingertips into the prepared bath. Keep them there for at least 15 minutes. In addition to its strengthening and moisturizing effect, this procedure has another bonus - it will help fight nail fungus.

What affects nail growth

Slow nail growth is not only a cosmetic imperfection, but also a signal that may indicate a lack of certain essential substances in the body. If your nails grow too slowly and are accompanied by other symptoms such as brittleness, peeling, formation of white spots or streaks, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.

Fingernails grow 1-1.5 mm in 7 days. Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, these indicators may vary.

The growth of nail plates can also change depending on the following factors:

• nutrition: women with a varied, nutritious diet, which is dominated by high-quality protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids and a large amount of fiber, have healthier nails and grow faster;
• water balance: if a person does not consume enough water, the hydration process is disrupted, the plastic becomes fragile and brittle;
• age category: at a young age, metabolic processes occur faster, which affects the growth and renewal of skin, hair, nails;
• gender: women experience faster growth of nail plates;
• seasonality: in spring and summer, nails grow faster, become stronger, peel and break less.

Nail plates grow more slowly if you do not use protective gloves when performing household work.
The situation is aggravated if women are not used to caring for their hands and neglect the use of creams, protective oils, and wax.

Recipes

Firstly, you need to adequately assess the condition of your nails; if this is difficult to do, be sure to consult a specialist (this should be a doctor, not a manicurist). If there are serious diseases, for example, a fungus, it is necessary to undergo treatment before starting any manipulations, otherwise the situation may only get worse. Also, in case of thyroid diseases or acute vitamin deficiency, it is worth considering that baths will not bring the desired effect. The problem may be hidden within.

Based on sea salt

For these types of baths, sea salt is best suited. The water temperature should be warm and comfortable, never hot (this can only spoil the quality of the nail plate).

For a small container (about a glass of water), take a teaspoon of salt, add 3-4 drops of iodine, you can also add a couple of drops of essential oil. Pine, bergamot, lemon, cedar oils prevent nails from peeling and brittleness; to heal the cuticle after a trim manicure, it is good to use chamomile, rosemary and tea tree oils; to lighten and add shine to the nail plate, choose essential oils of lemon and eucalyptus.

You cannot add all the oils at once; it is better to stop at 1-2 oils and add only 1-2 drops per application.

It is better to keep the hands in such a bath without immersing them completely, because... salt can dry out the skin; immersing only the nails in water is enough. Use for 15-20 minutes.

It is desirable that the water always remains warm; for this you can add a little hot water or use a special heated bowl. After such a bath, you should wash your hands with warm water and be sure to apply a nourishing cream (apply with massage movements, this will improve blood circulation).

With oils

• All oil-based baths nourish and restore the nail plate. The most common oil used to restore nails, hair and skin is olive oil . It is better to choose cold-pressed oil. To use it as a bath, the temperature of the oil should be high enough, but should not heat the skin; holding your hands in such a bath should be comfortable.
• Almond oil is also popular, and for good reason, it contains the largest amount of vitamin E. The oil can be well absorbed and make the skin more elastic and soft. Almond oil helps cope with brittle nails, accelerate their growth and give a beautiful, well-groomed appearance to the skin of your hands.
• Jojoba oil can be used as a base, especially if the nails are peeling, as well as if the skin of the hands loses its elasticity. This oil is considered rejuvenating. This oil can be used not only in the form of baths, but also for massage and simply rubbed into the skin of your hands and nails (it is good to use it by adding vitamin E, purchased at the pharmacy).

Various essential oils are also used for baths, adding just a few drops per procedure. You can use mint, sage, bergamot, geranium, tea tree oil and many others.

With gelatin

Gelatin contains essential amino acids and microelements; baths containing gelatin are good for strengthening and renewing nails.

To prepare a gelatin bath, you just need to dissolve the gelatin in warm water, wait until it increases in volume and hold your nails and hands in such a bath for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Paraffin restorative baths

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Paraffin is used quite extensively. When warm, it has almost magical properties. When caring for hands and nails, paraffin is quite popular; it slows down skin aging and restores nails very well (especially after extensions). Cosmetologists highly recommend paraffin-based baths in the autumn-winter period.

In good salons, one of the common procedures is a spa manicure with paraffin. This procedure costs a lot, but it can be done at home. You can purchase special paraffin at a pharmacy or professional cosmetic store. It needs to be melted only in a water bath.

1. Before the procedure, you need to scrub your hands (you can use a homemade scrub: salt + shower gel, or sugar + olive oil, coffee cake, etc.), then wash your hands, wipe dry and apply greasy cream or Vaseline to the skin.
2. When the paraffin is heated to a comfortable temperature (not too hot), you need to dip your hands in it for a few seconds, then repeat this procedure up to 10 times until your hands are covered with a thick layer of paraffin.
3. Wrap your hands in cling film on top, you can wear cotton or regular gloves, or wrap them in a blanket. The procedure lasts up to 20 minutes, after which the paraffin must be removed, your hands can be easily massaged and a nourishing cream must be applied.

It is better to carry out the procedure before bed so that the skin has time to rest before further contact with water or other irritants.

Such baths should be carried out at intervals of several days, be sure to take breaks between courses, but if your hands and nails really need care, then the breaks can be short.

Based on medicinal herbs

Teas, infusions, baths and nail baths are prepared from a decoction of herbs. We can talk endlessly about the beneficial properties of herbs; the main thing is to know which plant will bring what benefit.

• To simply improve the health of your marigolds, just make a decoction of the most popular chamomile . All decoctions are prepared in a water bath so as not to lose the beneficial properties of the herbs. You can also pour boiling water over dry herbs and steep them for 15 minutes to half an hour. In this case, you will need 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers per 1 cup of boiling water. For a water bath, 15 minutes is also enough. Just don’t forget to cool the broth. The water should be warm enough, but not hot. If you want to achieve a good brightening effect, you can add a little lemon juice to the cooled broth.
• Horsetail will help cope with split nails. It is enough to prepare a decoction: 1 spoon of dry horsetail per 250-300 ml. water. Keep in a water bath for up to 15 minutes. The water should not boil too much.
• A decoction of sage is perfect as a treatment after a trimmed manicure and as a strengthening agent for the nail plate. 1 tablespoon of sage per 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes.
• To strengthen your nails, you can use a bath with a decoction of oak or nettle . In both cases, you need to take 2 tablespoons of dry raw material and steam it with boiling water (one glass is enough) for 20-30 minutes.

Any of the baths must be taken within 15-20 minutes. A course of 10-15 procedures. Every other day, or alternating different compositions of herbs. After the herbal bath, it is necessary to apply a nourishing cream, because... Some herbs can dry out the skin.

Based on vegetable or fruit juices

Such baths are carried out mainly for the treatment and prevention of peeling nails. The fruit/vegetable acid acts as a gentle exfoliant, helping to exfoliate dead particles, while the vitamins contained in the juice help restore the structure of the nail plate.

You need to choose freshly squeezed juices (cabbage, carrot, apple, lemon, etc. are suitable), dilute them with warm water 1:1. Take baths for 10-20 minutes. With a break of 1-2 days.

To whiten and nourish nails at the same time, you need to use warm olive or other base oil, along with lemon slices (lemon not only whitens the nail plate, but also nourishes it with many vitamins).

Place lemon slices on the bottom of a container with heated oil (the thickness of the slice should be such that you can completely immerse your nail in it), dip your hands in the solution so that your nails are in the lemon pulp. Keep the bath for up to 20-30 minutes.

The remains of such a mask can not be washed off, but simply rubbed into the skin (it is best to do this procedure before going to bed). If you feel discomfort, the mask can be washed off with warm water and soap and a nourishing cream can be applied.

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Although nail baths are a universal means for preventing and healing nails, you should not forget about your health. If the cause of yellowing is, for example, smoking or a disease of the internal organs, then it will not be possible to completely get rid of the cosmetic problem. We need to eradicate the problem from within.

And do not underestimate natural beauty; if you rely only on salon procedures, such as extensions, including nails, then very soon it will become clear that even after artificial nails, you will have to restore your own. So girls always need care.

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