Ever notice how your nails become brittle and dry during the winter? The cold, dry winter temperatures are to blame. Luckily, there are ways to keep them protected, healthy and strong!

The most important aspect of winter nail care is to prevent moisture loss, and these tips will help!

1. Apply moisturizer diligently: Ideally after every hand washing, you should apply lotion not just to your hands but also to your nails and cuticles to trap the moisture. Make it easier to apply throughout the day by having lotions around your house, at the office, in your bag and car.
2. Cover up: Gloves aren’t just for warmth, they can also help to prevent hands and nails from the harsh winter weather.
3. Care for cuticles: Prevent your cuticles from drying out and splitting by rubbing them with oil.
4. Stay hydrated: Increase moisture from the inside out by drinking lots of water.
5. Choose removers wisely: Nail polish removers can be especially drying, so opt for one with acetate rather than acetone or formaldehyde.
6. Take care of nails: File them in one direction instead of back and forth, don’t pick at or bite them, and avoid using them as tools.

Applying these simple steps can greatly boost your nail health and confidence to keep showing them off! If you have any specific concerns, consult with an experienced dermatologist who can help with all areas of nail, skin, and hair care.

At Old Bridge Dermatology, Dr. Juan Vaillant has over thirty years of experience helping patients with all kinds of dermatological issues. Whether you have common skin problems like acne, eczema, age spots and skin cancer, or you want to improve your hair or nail health, Dr. Vaillant can help through individualized, compassionate care. Please contact our office in Old Bridge, NJ at (732) 679-0222 to schedule an appointment today!