Why Are My Nails Soft and Bendy?

There are many things that can “go wrong” in the nail health department.

For example, plenty of people struggle with brittle nails, peeling nails, or undesirable ridges.

But today, we’re talking more specifically about weak nails that are soft and bendy.

There are specific reasons why your nails might become soft and bendy.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to fix this problem, whether your nails bend or they’re notoriously soft - which is not the best surface for manicures and other nail styles.

Keep reading this article to find out why your nails are soft and bendy and, more importantly - how to fix them.

Why Are My Nails Soft and Bendy? Three Causes

Soft and bendy nails can definitely be described as brittle nails and overall weak nails.

That’s because they are more prone to breaking or snapping, which is highly undesirable.

There are a few key reasons why you’re struggling with these symptoms.

1. Overexposure to Chemicals

Our hands come in contact with many chemicals throughout the day, so it’s not surprising that this is the most common reason for soft nails and bendy nails.

Harsh chemicals - like those found in nail polish remover, detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish - can all cause nails to become weak and soft.

2. Poor Nutritional Intake

Certain nutrients are essential to strengthen nails, including B complex Vitamins, biotin, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.

If you don’t have a healthy diet containing vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids, you will find your nail bed becoming soft and bendy (amongst other symptoms, like poor digestion).

3. Too Much Moisture

While it is imperative for your nails to be hydrated, too much of one thing is never a good thing. And that includes moisture.

When nails are in contact with moisture too regularly, they will become soft. Softness leads to bending, which means nails break easily. And who wants that?

How to Strengthen Soft Bendy Nails

If you’re struggling with soft nails, don’t panic. There are many excellent solutions to get your weak nails back on track.

1. Take a Supplement

If you find it challenging to maintain a healthy diet that supports strong nails, you might consider opting for a supplement.

While you should still consume biotin-rich foods like eggs, bananas, and nuts, sometimes it’s not enough.

Hair, skin, and nail supplements have recently become incredibly popular, and for a good reason, too - they work.

You may also consider adding an iron supplement if you think you’re dealing with an iron deficiency.

Check with your doctor before taking any iron supplements, though, as they are unnecessary for those without an iron deficiency.

2. Skip the Nail Treatments

While some nail polish is fine, you want to give your nails a break from the harsher nail treatments like acrylic and gel polish.

These treatments use harsh chemicals and place a lot of wear and tear on your nail, which will damage the nail plate and cause weaker nails.

If you are currently wearing acrylics or gel nails, make sure you do not remove them incorrectly. Improper removal can lead to further damage to the nail bed.

3. Be Choosy About the Products You’re Using

This is true for nail-specific products and those you use every day.

For example, double-check the dish soap you’re using while washing dishes to ensure it doesn’t contain too-harsh chemicals.

4. Limit Exposure to Water - But Drink Plenty of It

Remember what we said earlier about repeated wetting causing nails to become soft, flimsy, and bendy? We weren’t lying.

If you think excessive moisture is the culprit for your weak nails, it’s time to limit exposure.

However, I understand entirely that limiting exposure to water altogether is impossible.

If you need to do something, like clean, wear a pair of vinyl gloves with baby powder or cotton inserts inside.

Oh, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water. That’s beneficial to your nail health, honey!

5. Use a Nail Strengthener on Weak Nails

Are your nails soft? Do you have stunted nail growth? Then you will find a nail strengthener (also referred to as a nail hardener) as your nail’s new best friend.

A professional nail strengthener will work to - you guessed it - strengthen nails.

The protective layer typically comes with a slew of nail-friendly ingredients, such as Vitamin E and tea tree oil.

You can also strengthen your nails at home by using moisturizing ingredients like olive oil or cuticle oil. Professional hand creams and lotions can work, too.

You will want to mix your preferred oil or lotion with warm, almost piping hot water.

Then, soak your nails in the solution for around 20 minutes for the best results.

6. Keep Your Brittle Nails Shorter - For Now

You’re working on your weak nails, which is excellent. All of those vitamins and fingernail strengtheners are going to work like magic.

In the meantime, keep your nails short. The longer your nails are, the more likely they will bend and snap.

7. See a Naturopathic Doctor

While the general population should see results with the steps mentioned above to strengthen brittle nails, the same isn’t true in rare cases.

When all else fails, consider getting professional help.

This type of doctor will be able to pinpoint if you have a deficiency based on your brittle nails and other symptoms.

From there, they can discover ways to improve your health and get you back on track with healthy nails that don’t have the risk of breaking.

As a bonus, they may be able to notice other, potentially more serious issues. Remember - your nails act as a window to your health.

They can be a tall-tell sign for specific medical conditions, such as kidney disease, heart disease, or some kind of deficiency that can lead to these issues.

FAQs

Soft fingernails vitamin deficiency?

Soft fingernails can be a sign of an underlying vitamin deficiency.

Typically, the usual cause for soft fingernails stemming from a vitamin deficiency is B-complex vitamins.

If this is the case, you will want to take a B-vitamin supplement to ensure you’re getting enough in your diet.

It’s not just good for your fingernails and toenails, but your health in general.

Unsure if you have a vitamin B deficiency? Always consult your doctor if you’re concerned about your health.

Why are my nails soft and bendy after acrylics?

Acrylic nails use harsh chemicals during every stage of the application and removal process.

This can strip the fingernails of the protective layer and other nutrients in the nail plate.

That said, it is 100% not uncommon for fingernails to feel soft and bendy after acrylic faux fingernails are removed.

That is why it is essential to give your nails a break after acrylic, gel, or other treatments.

That way, they can regain their “health” and be prepared for a new set of luscious nails in the future.

Why are my toenails soft and bendy?

Your fingernails aren’t the only type of nails that can end up soft and bendy. You have to think about your toenails, too.

If you’re struggling with softness and bending in your fingernails, your toenails are likely dealing with the same struggle.

The best thing to do is pinpoint what is causing the brittle nail. Is it a calcium deficiency? Are you using too harsh chemicals on your toenails?

Finding the cause is the gateway to finding the solution. So, start with the why and go from there.