Your nails are made three months in advance.
The nail you see today started growing about three months ago, built from the food your body had at the time.
That is why no polish or oil can fully repair a nail that was not properly nourished while it was being made.
Beautiful nails are not only manicured.
They are nourished.
What Nails Are Made Of
Nails are made of keratin, the same protein found in your hair.
To build strong keratin, your body needs protein, vitamins, minerals, and water.
When something is missing, the nail may still grow, but it can grow weaker, thinner, or more slowly.
During stressful periods or times of poor nutrition, your body sends nutrients to its most important organs first.
Nails are last in line.
That is why they can be one of the first places where a nutritional deficiency becomes visible.
The Foods Your Nails Love
• Protein: The main building material for nails. Good sources include eggs, fish, chicken, lentils, and dairy.
• Biotin: One of the most studied vitamins for brittle nails. Sources include eggs, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
• Iron: Low iron can contribute to thin or pale nails, especially in women. Sources include red meat, lentils, and spinach.
• Zinc: Supports nail growth and repair. Sources include seafood, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas.
• Healthy fats: Help keep nails flexible instead of brittle. Sources include fish, walnuts, and olive oil.
• Water: Dry nails can peel and split. Hydration often shows at your fingertips.
The good news is that a balanced Mediterranean diet naturally includes many of these nutrients.
What Your Nails Are Telling You
Brittle or splitting nails: This may be caused by dryness, frequent exposure to water and detergent, or not getting enough protein.
Slow nail growth: This can happen during strict dieting or an exhausting period of life.
Ridges, unusual curves, or lasting colour changes: These can have several causes. Some should be examined by a doctor rather than a nail technician.
One myth to forget is that white spots always mean a calcium deficiency.
They are usually the result of a small bump or injury to the nail.
A nail technician may notice when something looks unusual, but only a doctor can provide a diagnosis.
If a change concerns you, speak to your doctor first.
Do Nail Supplements Work?
Supplements may help when they correct a real nutritional gap.
They usually do little when no deficiency exists.
Biotin has the strongest evidence for supporting brittle nails, but results take time.
The entire nail must grow out before you can see a clear change, and that can take several months.
The professional approach is simple:
• Eat well first.
• Protect your nails second.
• Discuss supplements with your doctor if the problem continues.
Feed Them and Protect Them
Food builds the nail. Care protects it.
You need both.
• From the inside: Eat enough protein, colourful foods, and drink enough water.
• From the outside: Wear gloves for housework, apply cuticle oil daily, and never use your nails as tools.
• Professionally: Choose gentle filing, correct application, and safe product removal.
The VIBA Approach
At VIBA, we treat nails as living tissue, not simply as a canvas.
We examine the condition of your nails before every service.
We also know when a nail needs strengthening instead of covering.
A beautiful manicure on a weak nail may last a week.
On a healthy nail, it becomes a signature.
Because at VIBA, beauty always meets science.
Feed Them, Protect Them, Then Polish Them
Strong nails are grown, not painted.
Give them three months of good food and proper care, and they will meet you halfway.
Want Nails That Are Healthy Under the Polish?
Book a manicure at VIBA, starting with an honest assessment of your nail health.
Want to Learn Professional Nail Care?
Join our professional nail courses.
