Dermatologist reveals unexpected hacks to fix 'ruined' nails from polish

A dermatologist has revealed three hacks that will help you get your nails back into shape after they've been damaged. The important information was shared in a new TikTok video posted this week by Mississippi-based dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, who goes by the username @dermguru on the social media app.

Dr. Zubritsky often takes to TikTok to share her skincare tips and tricks, and this time was no different as she offered advice for brittle nails. The dermatologist began the video by stitching a clip of another user's TikTok, who was showing off their damaged nails before putting on a new set.

Before getting into the three tips, she explained that you should be taking a break in between manicures in order to rebuild your nail beds. 'Number one, if you don't know about this underrated queen, you are missing out,' the dermatologist began, as she showed a photo of a bottle of Kerasal, which is a nail repair product that's sold at the drugstore for under $20.

'It's going to hydrate the nail, smooth the nail, and normalize thickness at drugstore prices,' she explained. The product is applied the same way as you would a nail polish, and contain a wide variety of ingredients, like tea tree oil and glycerin. Dr. Zubritsky often takes to TikTok to share her skincare tips and tricks, and this time was no different as she offered her advice for brittle nails.

Before getting into the three tips, she explained that you should be taking a break in between manicures in order to rebuild your nails (stock image). The next tip on her list was a combination of two common items - a bottle of salicylic acid and a moisturizer that contains urea, like Eucerin.

Salicylic acid is often used to treat many skin disorders, like dandruff and acne, per Cleveland Clinic, as it works by 'breaking down layers of thick skin.'. Urea, on the other hand, can help to moisturize and exfoliate your skin, per Healthline. When you put those two ingredients on your nails, in addition to some Vaseline, it can help them heal, according to the dermatologist.

'Go to sleep like that, and wake up to nails smoother than a baby's bottom,' she shared. And, finally, the doctor recommended taking biotin to help your nails grow strong and long. 'This is quite literally the only time I would recommend biotin as a dermatologist,' she admitted.

'There are actually some studies that prove that biotin helps with firmness, hardness and thickness of brittle nails,' she said. The next tip on her list was a combination of two common items - a bottle of salicylic acid and a moisturizer that contains urea, like Eucerin.

However, she warned viewers to make sure that they notify their doctors that they were taking the supplement, as it can 'interfere' with some lab tests. In the comments section of her video, some users wrote that they were going to try out the hacks for their brittle nails.