How to make nail baths at home

Baths for nails are simple and affordable to use, but they also require compliance with a number of rules. It is important to conduct sessions in a course, since the effect of them is not instantaneous, but cumulative. Each time it is necessary to prepare a new solution, because bacteria can grow in it when used again. It is recommended to use only boiled water for baths, and the temperature of all baths should be no more than 40-45 degrees. The maximum duration of the procedure should not exceed 30 minutes, because excessive exposure to the nails can lead to their weakening and splitting. It is also important to prepare the nails before the procedure: remove the gel polish or any other coating. 

In the article, we have collected the best bath recipes for strengthening and growing nails at home. 

The best baths for strengthening and growing fingernails

Water has a beneficial effect on the condition of the nails. And if you add useful ingredients to it, the positive impact will increase. 

1. Bath with sea salt

The simplest and most popular option is a sea salt bath. It promotes strengthening and rapid growth of nails. Sea salt contains a lot of iodine, which has a positive effect on the nail plate. 

Add 0,5 tablespoons of sea salt to 5 liters of warm water. Stir the solution a little and dip your palms into it. Soak your hands in water for 20-30 minutes, dry them with a towel and apply moisturizer. It is advisable to perform the procedure every day for several weeks.

2. Bath with oils, vitamins and iodine

An oil bath is not as effective in terms of nail growth as a salt bath. But it strengthens and nourishes the nail plate much better, making it more resistant to external damage. As a basis for the procedure, you need to choose any vegetable oil, for example, olive and sea buckthorn. 

Mix 4 tablespoons of oil, 2 capsules of AEVIT vitamin and 5 drops of iodine in a bowl and heat them in a water bath. Dip your fingers into the warm solution and hold for 20-30 minutes. At the end of the procedure, remove the remaining oil from the nails with a tissue. 

3. Gelatin bath with chamomile

Gelatin baths strengthen nails well and enhance their growth. And if you add other useful ingredients to them, the beneficial effect on the skin and nails increases. For example, a bath with gelatin and chamomile helps to cure exfoliating nail plates. 

In 200 milliliters of warm chamomile infusion, add 2 teaspoons of gelatin. Stir until you get the consistency of jelly. Dip your hands in the solution and hold them there for 20-30 minutes. After the session, rinse your palms with water and apply a moisturizer on them. 

4. Glycerin bath

Glycerin is a powerful restorative agent. To strengthen nails, it can be used alone (with water) or with the addition of additional ingredients, such as honey and lemon juice.

Dilute one tablespoon of glycerin in one glass of warm water and mix. Hold your palms in the resulting liquid for 20-30 minutes, then rinse them without soap and dry with a towel.

5. Bath with honey

Honey nourishes and strengthens the nail plates well, as it contains many useful elements such as phosphorus and calcium. Dissolve two teaspoons of honey in half a glass of warm water. If desired, you can add one tablespoon of any essential oil, lemon juice or iodine to them. Immerse your fingers in the bath and leave for about 20 minutes. Rinse the remaining honey from your hands and apply a light cream.

The best baths for strengthening toenails

Foot baths have a positive effect on nails, cuticles and skin. If you want to get rid of brittle nails, do strengthening baths with salt, oils or herbal decoctions.

1. Bath with sea salt and lemon juice

To get rid of the problem of yellow nails, as well as improve their appearance, you can make a course of baths with sea salt and lemon juice. Citric acid is an excellent catalyst to speed up the delivery of nutrients. Such a bath gives a powerful impetus to the strengthening and growth of nails. 

Dissolve 1-7 tablespoons of salt and the juice of a whole lemon in 10 liter of warm water. Dip your feet into the solution and hold them there for 30 minutes. After the procedure, you can apply cream on your nails and put on soft socks.

2. Bath with oils and lemon

Oil baths work well on the legs too. They eliminate dry nails and feet, strengthen the nail plates and enhance their growth. 

Mix 5 tablespoons of warmed oil, such as almond or grape seed, and 5 tablespoons of lemon juice. Immerse your feet in the resulting solution and leave for 20 minutes. At the end of the session, dry the feet with a paper towel.

3. Gelatin bath with milk and honey

If you are concerned about the problem of corns, growths and hardened cuticles, a bath with gelatin, milk and honey can be a panacea for all problems. 

Dissolve 200 teaspoons of gelatin in 2 milliliters of warm milk. Add 1 teaspoon of honey. Soak your feet in the bath for 20-30 minutes. Rinse your feet with water, dry with a towel. 

4. Beer bath

The beer bath, due to the presence of vitamin B, strengthens the nails and stimulates their growth. Mix a glass of warm unfiltered beer with an equal amount of water. You can add some sea salt. Soak your feet in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and apply moisturizer.

5. A bathtub with an orange

Orange is rich in vitamin C, due to which it accelerates growth and strengthens the nail plates. Mix water in equal proportions with orange juice and heat. Use the resulting liquid for the bath, keeping the feet in it for up to 25 minutes. If desired, you can add additional ingredients: sea salt, honey or iodine. After the procedure, be sure to apply cream on your fingers.

Additional ways to use nail baths

Baths for nails work well not only as a preventive measure, but also as part of a treatment.

Nourishing baths for nails

To moisturize and nourish your nails, take a course of baths based on natural ingredients, such as oils or honey. The most effective recipes with oils: olive, almond, jojoba, grape seed. They give the skin softness and velvety, make nails healthy and strong.

Baths for whitening nails

Baths with lemon, chamomile and apple cider vinegar effectively whiten the nail plate. For example, combine the juice of one lemon, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, a few drops of lemon and grapefruit essential oils, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Soak your nails in this mixture for at least 20 minutes. Do it regularly until you see results.

Baths from lamination of nails

Nails become thinner for many reasons: vitamin deficiency, improper care, exposure to household chemicals, frequent wearing of gel polish, etc. If you are faced with brittle nails, a variety of nail baths will help strengthen them. 

A simple but effective recipe for strengthening nails is a bath with green tea or other healing herbs. In 200 milliliters of boiling water, brew one tablespoon of medicinal herbs, cool and add a spoonful of olive oil. Dip your fingers in the solution and hold for 15-20 minutes.

Baths for nail fungus

Baths are an important part of the complex treatment of fungi, but it will be difficult to achieve a complete cure without medical intervention. Hot water, along with various antimicrobial ingredients, quickly and painlessly disinfects and eliminates dead cells. 

Most nail fungus bath recipes include the following ingredients: iodine, peroxide, soda, vinegar, ammonia and medicinal herbs. Iodine, for example, has disinfectant and antimicrobial properties, as well as the ability to coagulate protein, due to which it has a destructive effect on fungi. In 2-3 liters of warm water, add 20 drops of iodine. Soak the affected body parts in the solution for about 15-20 minutes. After completing the procedure, wipe your fingers with a paper towel and apply a bandage with an antibacterial agent.

Popular questions and answers

Elona Mikhailova, director for development of the federal chain CHERNIKA Nails, answers questions.