Caring for and having strong, healthy nails takes more than just putting on nail polish and an occasional filing.
In fact, diet, everyday use and general wear and tear help to determine how healthy nails are and if they will stay that way.
According to www.substance.com, a Web site explaining the importance of nail care and the process of nail growth, diet plays a major part in nail growth.
The reason for this, according to the site, is because fingernails are actually dead cells made up of a protein called keratin with layers of water and fat in between. Sulfur is a mineral that helps to harden nails.
Food rich in biotin like eggs, liver, soy and whole grains help to produce keratin and allow nails to grow.
Other foods such as apples, cucumbers, grapes, asparagus and garlic, which are rich in sulfur, also aid in nail growth.
To keep nails shiny, the Web site also recommends eating foods that contain essential fat, such as salmon, nuts, seeds and tuna.
"Diet is definitely important," said Stephanie Brower, who is a nail technician for Cutter Hair and Nail, 4112 N. Wheeling Ave. Brower does manicures and nail maintenance in her salon.
On average, nails grow an eighth of an inch per month, and it can take anywhere from four to six months to grow a completely new nail.
Substance.com gives some tips for how to care for nails. One tip is to moisturize your nails at least once a day and moisturize cuticles to prevent hangnails. Another is not to use fingernails as tools for things like opening soda cans or anything that puts strain on the nails.
Not following these guidelines can lead to some problems with nail growth and even the appearance of nails in some cases.
For example, brittle nails are caused by poor diet and over-exposure to the sun. According to the site, treatment for this is to eat foods rich in sulfur and biotin.
Brower said another problem is when nails tear or split, enabling the person to peel off layers of the nail.
She mentioned several causes for this problem. People who tear off their acrylic nails themselves instead of having a professional do it makes nails more likely to tear. She said poor diet and lack of essential vitamins is another factor in splitting nails.
According to Brower, one way to help mend this problem and to prevent it in the future is to have manicures done regularly and to make sure diet is well balanced with the right foods to keep nails healthy.
Some other common problems with nails are discoloring or yellowing of the nails caused by the overuse of nail polish, white spots on the nails, hangnails caused by dry cuticles and nail biting.
Those who aren't satisfied with their natural nails have other options.
Brower said the most popular form of artificial nails in her salon is acrylic nails.
She said some reasons for this are because acrylic nails are virtually maintenance-free and upkeep is only necessary every couple of weeks when nails need to be filled in after growth of natural nail underneath begins to appear.
Application of acrylic nails takes about an hour after nails are pressed, acrylic is applied and nails have been set, filed and polished.
Cost is around $45 for a full set and $22 for fill-ins at Cutter Hair and Nail.
According to Brower, one of the more popular nail choices among college students is the French manicure and she often does manicures for Ball State students.
Another treatment Brower uses for nails is a paraffin treatment, a hot wax that is put on the nails. The wax is available in different scents.
Another product she uses for manicures is nail and cuticle oil along with moisturizers - quite different from just a couple coats of nail polish.
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