Experts explain why nails weaken and how to rebuild them

Weak nails are a common concern, and experts say they result from a mix of salon practices, daily exposures and aging. The UK nail industry is booming, with salons proliferating on high streets and revenue around £271 million in 2025, according to Statista. While many people enjoy nail art and gels, these treatments can contribute to nails that are dry, thin or easy to break.

Experts say the biggest causes include gel manicures, whose preparation and removal can strip nails of natural oils and damage keratin layers. 'Gel manicures can weaken nails because of the preparation and removal process,' says Margaret Dabbs, chief executive and founder of her London nail clinic. 'Over-buffing, acetone remover and scraping off product all strip the nail of natural oils and damage the keratin layers. This leaves nails thin, dry and prone to peeling.' But nails can weaken for other reasons as well. 'Weak nails can be caused by a combination of factors,' notes consultant dermatologist Dr Vani Agarwal, including repeated wetting and drying, and exposure to household detergents and solvents. Gaelle Lebrat-Personnaz, chief executive and co-founder of Manicurist, adds that nail biting or using nails as tools are common culprits. Dr Agarwal also says nutrition plays a role, though deficiencies are relatively rare in the UK; a varied diet and plenty of water benefit hair, skin and nails.

Peeling nails occur when the nail plate loses moisture and the layers separate. 'Overexposure to water, harsh nail products and mechanical trauma from frequent filing and buffing' are the main culprits, according to Dr Agarwal. The issue is common in people who wash their hands frequently for work.

Nails typically worsen with age, as Dabbs explains: 'As we age, our nails often become drier, more brittle and slower to grow. This is largely because the natural cell turnover in the nail bed decreases and the flow of blood and nutrients to the extremities is not as efficient as it once was. Hormonal changes, reduced collagen production and general wear and tear also play a part.' Still, Lebrat-Personnaz says that with the right products and routine, strong, healthy nails are possible at any age.

What steps can you take to strengthen fragile nails? If you’re a manicure regular, many might not want to hear it, but taking a break from regular salon appointments can let nails breathe and repair. Lebrat-Personnaz also recommends daily hydration with nourishing oils and using a nourishing base coat when polish is applied. Dabbs adds that gel nails should be removed professionally to limit damage, and she says to ditch emery boards in favor of a crystal file to promote healthy growth and reduce splitting.

Dr Agarwal offers practical daily habits: wear cotton-lined gloves while washing or cleaning, moisturize hands and nails daily with glycerin-based creams or oils to hydrate the nail plate, keep nails cut short, and regularly apply Vaseline to the cuticles to lock in moisture. She emphasizes lifestyle changes as the key to improving nail health.

On supplements, there was no firm verdict. Lebrat-Personnaz suggests supplements such as biotin, zinc or plant-based keratin to strengthen fragile nails. Dr Agarwal cautions that supplements rarely transform nail health unless there is a true deficiency, though there is some evidence for consistent biotin use to help strengthen brittle nails.

When persistent weakness or breakage occurs, clinicians advise seeking evaluation from an expert-led clinic or dermatologist to rule out underlying conditions such as psoriasis, lichen planus, anemia or fungal infections that can affect nails and respond to appropriate treatment.