How to Repair Damaged Nails, According to Experts

Everyone knows the importance of making a good first impression. When you meet someone new for the first time, it’s instinctive to make eye contact, smile, and shake hands. Hopefully, you encounter a firm handshake—although etiquette practices vary widely by country—and aren’t grazed by a gnarly set of nails, an open wound, or jagged cuticle, but hey, it happens. No matter which side of the handshake you’re on, odds are if it’s a rough one, you leave the encounter with a strong desire to head to your nearest nail salon.

But wait—this might not be the best course of action. In fact, it’s possible that too many manicures might be the source of damaged nails in the first place. So instead of masking any unsightly or uncomfortable nail deficiencies with a sleek coat of lacquer, take a moment to pause and reflect on how to fix the problem, not just cover it up.Â

Unfortunately, there are a ton of ways nails can become damaged. Whether it’s from overuse of gel or acrylic nail techniques, vitamin deficiencies, direct injuries to the nail bed, or seasonal skincare concerns, it’s actually pretty easy for nails to fall into states of disrepair.

Fortunately, there are also several simple ways to get your nails back into tip-top shape, and who better to advise us on these tactics than professionals who deal with nail concerns every day? We reached out to editorial manicurist Jin Soon Choi, Olive & June founder and CEO Sarah Gibson Tuttle, celebrity crystal manicurist Mazz Hanna, and Varnish Lane co-founder Lauren Dunne to get the best tips, tricks, and treatments for repairing damaged nails.