Why Are My Nails Soft And Bendy? [Answered]

One of the most common questions we get asked is “Why are my nails soft and bendy?”.

There are a number of reasons why your nails might be soft and bendy, and in this article we’ll explore some of the most common causes for unhealthy nails, like poor digestion, a poor diet, or exposure to chemicals.

What are our nails made from?

Our nails are composed of a tough, protective protein called keratin. This protein is also found in our skin and hair, and it helps to give these tissues their strength and resilience.

The cells that produce keratin are located in the base of the nail, where they slowly migrate upwards as they mature.

As the cells reach the surface of the nail, they die and become hardened by exposure to oxygen and other molecules in the air.

The resulting hard, strong nail is then able to protect the delicate tissue beneath it from injury. 

As well as providing protection, nails also play a big role in our sense of touch.

Then nerves in our fingertips are extremely sensitive, and they allow us to interact with our surroundings with great precision.

Without nails, we would be much less able to pick up small objects or to perform delicate tasks.

Why are my nails soft and bendy?

There are several reasons why your nails might be soft and bendy.

One possibility is that you have a deficiency in iron, zinc, or other nutrients that are essential for healthy nails.

Another possibility is that you are not getting enough vitamin A, which helps the body to produce keratin, the protein that makes up nails.

Certain health conditions can cause soft nails, including an underactive thyroid gland and psoriasis.

With the right treatment, it is possible to improve the health of your nails and prevent damage.

How to fix soft and bendy nails?

One of the most frustrating things about having soft nails is that they seem to be prone to breaking and bending.

Even if you take measures to protect your nails, such as wearing gloves when doing dishes or using lotion to keep them hydrated, they can still end up looking weak and unhealthy.

If you’re looking for ways to fix soft fingernails, here are a few tips that may help.

One of the best things you can do is to make sure your diet includes plenty of biotin, as there’s a possibility you’re deficient.

This vitamin is essential for healthy nails, and you can find it in foods like eggs, nuts, and legumes.

Try to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals or detergents, such as cleaning fluids, as they can cause brittle nails. Always wash your hands after using them.

If you must use them, be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands and nails.

Consider using a nail strengthener or hardener, layered under your nail polish, to protect and treat your nails – give your nails a chance to recover.

Avoid acetone-based nail polish remover, as acetone is known to weaken the nails, especially when nails are soft already.

These products can help to give your nails the extra support they need to stay strong and healthy, and help with bending and breaking.

How to fix soft and bendy toenails?

Soft and bendy toenails can be an irritating and embarrassing problem, but thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to restore them back to their original state.

The best way to start is by treating the underlying condition that is causing the bendy toenail in the first place.

If the cause of your soft or bendy nails is a fungal infection, you should seek medical treatment right away, as this infection must be treated with prescription oral antifungals.

To help prevent your nails from excessively bending, make sure to keep them trimmed relatively short, so they don’t become heavy and put too much stress on a single spot.

Vitamin supplements can also be helpful for strengthening your nails naturally.

Incorporating certain vitamins into your diet such as Zinc, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 helps promote healthy nail growth, which makes for more robust nail strength.

What vitamin helps strengthen nails?

Having a mineral deficiency can play havoc on your nails. One of the most essential vitamins for strong natural nails is vitamin C.

This vitamin helps to keep the nails hydrated and prevents them from becoming dry and brittle.

Vitamin C also helps to improve blood circulation, which delivers nutrients to the nails and helps them to grow stronger.

Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, a protein that gives nails their strength and flexibility.

Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is another necessary nutrient for healthy nails.

Biotin helps to produce keratin, a tough protein that makes up the majority of the nail.

Biotin deficiency can lead to brittle nails that are easily broken.

For strong nails, be sure to include plenty of vitamin C and B7 in your diet, and consider taking some iron supplements to treat common nail concerns.

Why do nails get soft when we keep them immersed in water?

Have you ever wondered why your nails get soft when you keep them immersed in water for long periods of time?

It turns out that this common phenomenon has a scientific explanation.

When nails are exposed to water, the keratin fibers that make up the nail start to absorb water molecules.

This process causes the fibers to swell and the nail to become softer, and gives you more fragile nails.

However, once the nails are removed from the water, the keratin fibers will slowly release the water molecules and return to their original state.

To prevent your nails from getting soft in water, try wearing rubber gloves or vinyl gloves when doing the washing up.

So, if you want to keep your nails strong and healthy, it’s best to avoid immersing them in water for extended periods of time, to prevent you from getting weak nails.

Does cuticle oil help with soft bendy nails?

Anyone who has ever had to deal with dry, brittle nails knows how frustrating it can be.

No matter how carefully you avoid harsh chemicals and excessive hand-washing, your nails just seem to get weaker and more prone to breaking.

One potential solution is cuticle oil. Cuticle oil is a type of moisturizer that helps to keep the nails and cuticles hydrated.

It can be applied directly to the nails and cuticles, or massaged into the hands as part of a daily beauty routine.

Many cuticle oils contain vitamin E, which is known for its ability to nourish and protect the skin.

Cuticle oils often contain other nutrients that are beneficial for nail health, such as biotin and keratin.

While there is no guarantee that cuticle oil will work for everyone, it may be worth trying if you are struggling with dry, brittle nails.

What are the consequences of having soft and bendy nails?

While having soft and bending nails may not seem like a big deal, it can actually have a number of consequences.

For one thing, it can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks like opening doors or typing on a keyboard.

Soft nails are more susceptible to breaking and chipping. This can be both painful and unsightly.

Bendy fingernails can be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition, such as an iron deficiency.

So try speaking to your doctor if strengthening treatments don’t help, just to make sure you’re not dealing with deficiencies.

Why are my fingernails starting to peel and become see-through?

Fingernails peeling and becoming see-through is a common problem that can range from minor to more serious.

Often, peeling nails is just due to dryness—lack of moisture or state of hydration—but other causes may be related to your diet, environment, and even habits like nail biting.

If the issue persists or worsens despite taking steps to moisturize your nails, it could also indicate an underlying health problem such as anemia or malnutrition.

You can work to strengthen brittle nails, by improving your diet.

Consulting a healthcare professional can help you gain insight into why your fingernails are starting to peel and become see-through.

Which nail treatments can help strengthen your nails?

As anyone who has ever had a manicure knows, there are a variety of different nail treatments available.

While some nail hardeners treatments are purely cosmetic, others can actually help to improve the health of your nails.

For example, regular manicures can help to remove dead skin cells and strengthen the nail plates.

Treatments such as gel nails and acrylics can provide extra support for weak or brittle nails.

However, be careful with these treatments, as they can sometimes damage the nails if they are not applied correctly.

Make sure the nail technician doing your treatments is fully qualified, and knows how to treat soft and bendy nails.

Why are my nails bendy? There are a number of different reasons why your nails might be soft and bendy.

In most cases, it is nothing to worry about and the nail beds issues can be easily fixed with some simple lifestyle changes.

However, if your nails are particularly weak or breaking, it is always best to speak to your doctor, just to rule out any underlying health conditions or health issues.

There are also a number of different treatments that can help to strengthen your nails, and strengthen your brittle nails.

Regular manicures can help to remove dead skin cells, and gel nails can provide extra support.

Just make sure you go to a qualified technician who knows how to treat soft and bendy nails.

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Makeup Muddle

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.