All of us love a plunge within the pool, however chlorinated water can current a dangerous one-two punch to the structural integrity of your nails. First, there’s the water injury. As dermatology professor and nail professional Dana Stern, M.D., explains to Properly+Good, your nails are extra absorbent than they give the impression of being — “1,000 occasions extra absorptive of water than the pores and skin” even. The cells in your fingernails and toenails suck up H2O, inflicting these cells to develop. Then, as your nails dry, the cells contract again to their regular measurement. This enlargement and contraction places stress on the energy and construction of the nail, contributing to thinning, softening, peeling, and breakage. Take into consideration the best way your pores and skin prunes up after too lengthy in a shower. Now think about the identical course of affecting your nails, which haven’t any elasticity to bounce again. After all they’ll be weaker within the aftermath.
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Including chlorine to the equation solely worsens issues. Identical to this chemical dries out your hair and pores and skin, it could actually leach hydration out of your cuticles. “Chlorinated water can induce related nail adjustments as plain water, nevertheless it’s typically much more harsh as a result of chlorine may also strip your nails of the pure oils that maintain the cuticles hydrated,” dermatologist Rachel Nazarian tells The Zoe Report. Alas, parched cuticles can negatively influence nail progress. Lengthy story brief? Defending your nails and cuticles from chlorinated pool water is important for his or her sturdiness, sheen, and general well being, and could be simply as vital as restoring moisture after your swim.