Are your nails brittle from the hygiene measures of the Covid-19 quarantine? In times of Corona, you have no other choice: you have to wash your hands again and again - for at least 20 seconds under lukewarm water with soap. Regular disinfection is essential, but it puts additional strain on the skin and nails. In addition to dry areas of skin that crack and become sore, nails can become brittle due to the strain. These dried out nails splinter or tear, which can even cause pain and inflammation, says our nail designer Stefanie. This is particularly unpleasant if you continue to be in public and in contact with customers.

Corona crisis: 6 expert tips on how to protect your nails

To protect your nails and care for them even in times of Corona, our nail designer Stefanie has valuable tips for you. She recommends always wearing rubber gloves, especially when cleaning or washing dishes at home, so that your hands do not come into unnecessary contact with harsh cleaning agents and water. You should also eliminate additional stressful factors and avoid alcohol and smoking as much as possible and eat a varied diet. Unless absolutely necessary, you should avoid using products containing acetone on your nails during this time. This drying solvent can be found, for example, in the remover for Shellac nails or in conventional nail polish. By the way: If you generally struggle with brittle nails, regardless of disinfectants and frequent hand washing, our expert recommends visiting a doctor. The brittle nails can be an indication of illness or an imbalance in the body - this can be caused, among other things, by pregnancy, menopause or anti-hormone therapy in the context of breast cancer. “Permanent problems with the nails should be examined by a doctor who will make a sound diagnosis and recommend the correct treatment and appropriate medical products. Under no circumstances should you simply take dietary supplements without first checking with your doctor about the symptoms,” advises our nail designer.

• Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and cleaning
• Avoid unnecessary contact with cleaning agents and water
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Eat a varied diet
• Avoid products containing acetone
• If you have persistent nail problems, seek medical attention

SOS: Care for nails properly in Corona times

Our expert recommends using rich hand creams and nail oils to care for your nails during quarantine . She recommends establishing a routine in which you use hand cream after every hand washing and disinfecting - feel free to reapply and oil every now and then and massage the nails well so that they receive blood flow and can optimally absorb the nutrients . To ensure that the nourishing substances have enough time to absorb, our nail designer uses rich creams and oils, which she applies before going to bed and protects with a special cotton glove so that they can take effect overnight. If your nails are very brittle , it is better to keep them short during this time to avoid further damage. If it's currently possible for you, the expert recommends avoiding gel, acrylic or nail polish completely so as not to put unnecessary strain on the nail. When the nails have recovered, the regular beauty program can be resumed.

Expert answer from nail designer Stefanie: What is your personal nail care routine during the Corona quarantine?
“During hygiene measures, I primarily rely on active ingredients that also occur naturally in the nail, including keratin. I also think hand creams and nail care with urea make sense during this time. I also pay attention to a healthy diet that contains the beauty vitamin biotin and vitamin A. That’s why oatmeal, cauliflower, lentils, potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin are increasingly on my menu!”