Dermatologist Shares How to Protect & Grow Healthy, Strong Nails (Nail Care Tips) | Dr. Sam Ellis

As a dermatologist, so many of my patients ask for tips on how to grow stronger healthier nails. That's why I wanted to share my best nail care tips and products to try to help you achieve your #nailgoals. I also talk about manicure tips, cuticle care, nail supplements, and more.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Nail Anatomy
03:46 Basic Nail Care
04:07 How to Protect Nails
11:09 Healthy Nail Growth
12:19 Nail Supplements
14:26 At-Home Nail Care
17:43 Subscribe!

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links (marked with *). Affiliate links help support my YouTube channel so I can continue to create fun, informational skincare videos for you. Also, some products may have been received as PR. Thanks for watching!

[beauty_enthusiast]

Someone else mentioned the YT channel “A Salon Life” - if you’re interested in seeing how to do a gentle manicure, she uploads at least one a week with lots of additional informative videos. I’ve learned so much from her (Anna) bc she shares evidence based information combined with her expertise. It’s also so helpful to SEE how she does a gentle manicure so that you can learn to emulate. She has clients that come back week to week so you can see their progress and she and you can also send her photos and she will reply with advice on how to fix all kinds of issues. Super helpful! Kerasal is magic but I also wanted to mention the new OPI Repair Mode - it repairs the bonds in your nails and my nails were transformed but this product. Somehow it made them stronger, smoother, and more flexible at the same time. If you have really weak nails (breaking and splitting), the Mavala Scientifique K+ is a gem (only apply to the tips of your nails every week for a month and then go to every other week or you’ll create super brittle nails, that’s how well it works!). So much great advice in this video, thank you! ✨

[Teeyah]

I stopped wearing nail polish in April 2023 and filed my nails all the way down. I started using oil at least 7 to 10 times a day.
As of today, my nails are in the best shape ever. Organic Jojoba, Almond, Sunflower, and FlexiNail oils have worked for me. Soaking nails in warm oil every one to two weeks in addition to only pushing back cuticles with a wood stick has helped as well . It takes patience. I started seeing damaged nails moving towards the free edge with 4 months. I would then gently file them down. You are worth the wait. Be patient.

[isabelab]

Great video…I watch The Salon Life. She is a nail technician and has a YouTube channel. She is very knowledgeable and she recommended many of the things you mention.
To grow nails…keep them super short.
Take care of cuticles weekly…but ver gently.
Nail soak with jojoba oil since it penetrates better. Once a week do a manicure, soak and leave unpolished overnight.
She recommends Dazzle Dry…I am trying that. She mentioned the same substance and now I look to see if the polish has it.
She also recommends kerasal.
I am trying to grow out my nails after a lifetime of nail biting and picking on the skin. (And I am 60j. All recommendations have helped immensely!
She has additional product recommendations that are great. Highly recommend her channel for anyone struggling with nails

[Deanriley]

I’m a classical guitarist who’s struggled with very thin peeling nails; I tried the usual supplements and topicals for years, but what finally worked was adding 2-4Tbs of collagen to my daily protein shake made all the different in strengthening my nails and stop the peeling.Took about 3 mos.

[carolc]

After working in a covid vaccine clinic, washing or gelling my hands 80 times in a half day, my nails were shot. Nothing helped, not supplements or even the weekly oil treatments. Finally I started using “Healthy Hoof” at least twice a day, but really as many times as I could remember, I would use it. After a few weeks the peeling at the edges was improved and as I kept at it, the improvement increased. I use it now at least at bedtime, and my nails have never been so strong.

[kenziedicken]

personally i think my polish protects my nails from damage like snags and hitting my nails on things, and so for me the benefits of the polish protection far outweighs any damage the nail polish itself is doing. so i have found that keeping my nails polished has led to longer stronger nails for me!

[tab]

Menopause has done a number on my nails! Ridges and dryness.

[dianneklang]

My daughter has been using Siena cuticle oil and nail strengthener and her nails have improved unbelievably.🇦🇺

[Coffeeandtypos]

What about wearing standard nail polish to protect your nails? I remember growing up and being told that we need to let our nails 'breathe', but it wasn't until I was an adult that I learned that nails don't breathe, and the plate isn't living anyway. Any necessary nutrients and oxygen get provided by our blood. So since they don't need to breathe, could wearing regular polish often (not gel), help protect our nails by acting as a barrier to minimize trauma/damage? 🤔

[kathyo]

The Kerasal suggestion: wow! I have struggled with cracked and dry cuticles for years doing paperwork at my job. I've tried everything, including oils. All have been temporary bandages until the next hand wash. This was a game changer.

[lana]

Thank you so much, I can't tell you how refreshing your post was. Not only because you're drop dead gorgeous and it's quite obvious you take amazing care of yourself but because you are so smart and you really know your craft. Being a middle aged woman I like to think I already know what I need to know about maintaining any part of my body, but you have shown me it doesn't hurt to get back to the basics once and a while...because you taught me quite a bit in the last few minutes! Thank you for clearing up some of the wives tales I truly thought were factual. You have a special way of delivering information that isn't off-putting or offensive. What a beautiful, breath of fresh are you are, Dr. Ellis! ❤

[MyLoVeLyMaN]

I highly recommend the channel called "the nail salon" I've learnt so much about nail care, home manicures and all the science behind nails.

[NatalieG]

My Mom & I always had thin, flat nails that also had a tendency to curl under as they grew. We did ask nurses what could be causing it & they never had any answers. I do take vitamins - Vit C, Bilberry, Ocuvite ( for eyes) & PEA ( fatty acid also for eyes). They can grow straight but I find water can be the enemy so other than washing my hands, I tend to use rubber gloves for everything around the house. Dermatologist, Dr Dray says there have been no hard studies that show Biotin does anything. Any advice welcome. ❤️

[violetavenue]

I have the Tweezerman nail products and they truly are great nail care equipment. I started glass filing my nails 20 years ago and will never go back to emery boards or metal nail files. Glass files are also, as Dr. Ellis pointed out, easy to keep clean. This was a great video. I'm going to start incorporating oil treatments into my nail care.

[ctb]

Honestly rescue rxx on my nails and then Vaseline on my super dry cuticles has made my nails look AMAZING. As a lifelong biter with super clear nails this has made so much difference.

[aguest]

You always look beautiful, but I really love your makeup in this video! Thank you for all the helpful information you share!

[dollysuehoffman]

I've always had good strong nails (thanks, Mom!) that would grow magnificently all spring and summer and then dry out and break in the dryer part of the year. I knew how to deal with that. Now that I swim in a pool daily they're softer and split in a different way. I'm taking oral collagen, using oil after swimming and hand cream. It took over six months but I'm seeing improvement. Thanks for the video!

[esthersalcove]

I just found this and love it! Simple and doable. I've always struggles with brittle soft nails, can't grow them at all. Never even thought about the fact that I have to actively take care of them, you live and you learn 😊

[strandedinseattle]

I was trying to absorb all the info, but was too dazzled by your cosmetics. You picked the absolutely most flattering shades for yourself! This winter girl is a little jealous of your summer glow. ♥

[danettedarbonne]

You hit it out of the ballpark every time!