Beautiful, strong nails are often seen as a reflection of good health and self-care. In a vibrant city like Dubai, where attention to detail and personal grooming are part of everyday life, chipped, brittle, or constantly breaking nails can be a frustrating experience. Many women struggle to maintain long, healthy nails despite regular manicures, high-end products, and careful care routines.
At Elata Beauty Salon, we meet countless clients who wonder why their nails remain fragile even with consistent upkeep. The truth is, certain common mistakes could be undermining your nail health without you even realizing it. Let’s explore the most frequent habits that cause nail breakage and what you can do to protect and strengthen your nails.
1. Overusing Nail Hardeners
Nail hardeners are often marketed as the ultimate solution for fragile, breaking nails, but what many people do not realize is that overusing these products can actually make the problem worse. Most nail hardeners work by creating a rigid, almost glass-like coating over the nail, temporarily giving the illusion of strength. However, nails are naturally flexible and need a certain degree of pliability to absorb daily stresses without snapping.
When nails become too hard and inflexible, they lose their ability to bend under pressure, making them more prone to cracking or splitting with even minor impact. This is particularly problematic in Dubai’s environment, where frequent hand washing, exposure to dry air, and temperature fluctuations demand that nails maintain some resilience.
Tip: Use nail hardeners sparingly and only as a short-term aid. Focus instead on nourishing your nails from the inside out with strengthening treatments rich in proteins, vitamins, and hydrating ingredients. Incorporating regular nail oils and gentle care practices into your routine will promote naturally strong, flexible nails over time.
2. Skipping Moisturization
In Dubai’s arid climate, where exposure to dry air and constant shifts between indoor air conditioning and outdoor heat is a part of daily life, skipping moisturization can be a silent culprit behind weak, brittle nails. Just like your skin, your nails require consistent hydration to maintain their flexibility and strength. When nails become dehydrated, they lose their natural ability to bend and withstand everyday tasks, making them much more susceptible to splitting, peeling, and breaking.
Dry nails often feel rough, look dull, and may even develop tiny cracks that weaken them over time. In addition to environmental factors, frequent handwashing—essential for hygiene—can further strip the nails and cuticles of their natural oils, exacerbating the problem.
Tip: Incorporate a daily habit of applying nourishing cuticle oil and a rich, non-greasy hand cream. Focus on massaging the oil into the cuticle and nail plate to boost circulation and promote healthy growth. For maximum benefit, reapply after every hand wash and before bedtime to allow deep overnight hydration. Well-moisturized nails are not only healthier but also more resilient to Dubai’s demanding conditions.
3. Using Nails as Tools
It might seem harmless to use your nails for small tasks—like opening a soda can, peeling a price tag, or scratching off stubborn residue—but these seemingly minor actions can lead to significant damage over time. Nails are made of layers of a protein called keratin, which, although strong, are not designed to endure mechanical pressure. When used as tools, the stress placed on the nail tips causes micro-cracks that weaken their structure, eventually leading to splitting, peeling, or sudden breaks.
In a busy city like Dubai, where multitasking is a way of life, these habits often become unconscious. However, every time you use your nails instead of proper tools, you are compromising their strength and longevity.
Tip: Make a conscious effort to protect your nails by always reaching for the appropriate tool. Use a key, coin, letter opener, or actual tool when needed, rather than risking damage. Building this small habit into your routine can make a noticeable difference in maintaining longer, healthier nails that withstand daily life with grace.
4. Neglecting Base and Top Coats
Applying nail polish without a proper base and top coat is like building a house without a strong foundation and roof—it leaves your nails vulnerable to staining, weakening, and premature chipping. The base coat acts as a shield, creating a smooth barrier between your nail plate and the pigmented polish. This prevents harsh pigments from seeping into the natural nail, which can cause discoloration and weaken the surface over time.
The top coat, on the other hand, serves as a protective seal that guards your polish against environmental stressors such as water, chemicals, and daily wear. It adds an essential layer of durability, enhances shine, and keeps your manicure looking freshly done for longer. In Dubai’s active, fast-paced environment, skipping these protective steps means exposing your nails to unnecessary damage.
Tip: Always invest in a high-quality base and top coat as part of your manicure routine. Reapply a thin layer of top coat every couple of days to extend the life of your polish and reinforce your nail’s protection. This small commitment greatly strengthens your nails over time, preserving both their health and beauty.
5. Overexposure to Water
While water is essential for life, too much exposure to it can spell trouble for your nails. Every time you soak your hands for extended periods—whether while washing dishes, swimming in Dubai’s luxurious pools, or indulging in long baths—your nails absorb water, causing them to swell. When they dry, they contract again. This repeated swelling and shrinking weakens the nail’s natural structure over time, making them far more vulnerable to cracking, peeling, and splitting.
Overexposure to water not only strips the nails of their natural oils but also leaves the surrounding skin dry and irritated, further compromising the health of your nail bed and cuticles. In Dubai’s already challenging climate, this effect can be even more pronounced.
Tip: Protect your nails by wearing gloves whenever you’re doing household chores that involve water or harsh cleaning agents. Limit the time your nails are submerged during baths or spa treatments, and always follow up with a nourishing hand cream or cuticle oil immediately after. Keeping nails dry but well-moisturized is key to maintaining their strength and flexibility in the face of daily exposure.
6. Harsh Nail Polish Removers
Many people are unaware of just how damaging traditional acetone-based nail polish removers can be to their nail health. Acetone is a powerful solvent that quickly breaks down polish, but it does so by aggressively stripping away not only the polish but also the natural oils that protect your nails and cuticles. Over time, regular exposure to acetone can lead to severely dehydrated nails that are brittle, flaky, and prone to cracking.
In Dubai, where the climate already leans toward dryness, the harsh effects of acetone are even more pronounced. Nails that are constantly exposed to acetone become weaker and less resilient, making it nearly impossible to grow them long and strong.
Tip: Whenever possible, choose acetone-free removers formulated with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, or essential oils. These gentler alternatives dissolve polish effectively while maintaining the integrity and moisture balance of your nails. At Elata, we always prioritize using acetone-free solutions to protect your nails’ long-term health and beauty.
7. Peeling Off Gel or Regular Polish
It might be tempting to peel off gel or regular nail polish when it starts to lift, especially if you’re busy or unable to get a professional removal. However, peeling off polish damages more than just the color—it strips away the top layers of your natural nail along with it. This action weakens the nail plate, making it thinner, rougher, and more prone to splitting and breakage.
Peeling can also cause uneven nail surfaces, leading to a cycle where future polish applications don’t adhere properly, further exacerbating the problem. In Dubai’s climate, where nails are already vulnerable due to dryness and exposure to varying temperatures, this additional damage can set back your nail health considerably.
Tip: Always resist the urge to peel and instead remove polish the correct way. For regular polish, use a gentle, acetone-free remover. For gel polish, soak your nails properly or visit a professional salon like Elata, where removal is done safely without harming your natural nails. Investing a little extra time in proper removal will preserve the strength and smoothness of your nails in the long run.
8. Ignoring Nail Health from Within
While external treatments and careful grooming play vital roles in maintaining nail health, it is equally important to remember that the true foundation of strong, resilient nails begins from within. Your nails are made of keratin, a type of protein, and when your body lacks the proper nutrients, it shows up in the form of weak, brittle, and slow-growing nails.
Deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals—such as biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin D—can compromise nail strength and growth. Without adequate nutrition, nails may become thin, ridged, or prone to peeling and breakage. This internal weakness cannot be fully corrected with topical treatments alone.
In a fast-paced lifestyle like Dubai’s, it’s easy to overlook the importance of a balanced diet. However, ensuring you consume plenty of leafy greens, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and hydrating fruits is essential for supporting overall nail health. In cases where diet alone isn’t sufficient, carefully selected supplements, such as biotin capsules or multivitamins designed for skin, hair, and nails, can provide an additional boost.
Tip: Incorporate nutrient-rich meals into your daily routine and stay hydrated—healthy nails need water just as much as they need nutrients. If you’re unsure about your nutritional balance, consult with a healthcare provider or wellness specialist to create a plan that nourishes your body and, by extension, your nails. Radiant, resilient nails always begin with inner wellness.
Final Thoughts: Care Today, Strength Tomorrow
Strong, beautiful nails aren’t just about what you apply externally—they require mindful habits and consistent care. By avoiding these common mistakes and giving your nails the attention they deserve, you can transform brittle, breaking nails into healthy, resilient ones that complement your style and confidence.
At Elata Beauty Salon in Dubai, we specialize in nourishing manicures, professional nail treatments, and personalized nail care advice to help you achieve your healthiest nails yet.
Visit us at Sunset Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, and let us care for your nails with the expertise and love they deserve.
Call or book online now—because every detail matters when it comes to beauty in Dubai.
