how to fix a dog broken leg at home

After working hard to grow out your natural nails, it's frustrating (not to mention painful) when one ends up broken or torn. The last thing you want to do is file them all down and start from zero—so, uh, now what?

First, a quick primer on why your nails aren't playing nice: "Nails can get weak and break easily for a number of different reasons," says Robin Evans, MD, a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. For example, nails are made of keratin, and our body produces less of it as we age—so yes, aging can play a role.

Constantly exposing your nails to the elements can dry them out, too. So avoid over-washing your hands, dunking them in cleaning products, or using acetone-based polish removers.

But if your nails break all the time, it could mean something's up.

"Weakened nails can definitely be a sign of something more than external elements," says Raman Madan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Huntington Hospital in New York. "They can be a sign of iron deficiency, hypothyroidism, or Raynaud's Syndrome (a condition caused by circulation problems)."

If it's just your fingernails that are giving you 'tude but your toenails are fine, your broken nails are likely because of an external cause, Dr. Madan adds. But if both are affected, or if the problem persists for more than 3 to 6 months, it's worth checking in with your dermatologist for a consult.

Beyond making changes to strengthen your nails in the long-term, there is a DIY shortcut that can fix a broken nail when you're in a pinch, says Dr. Madan. All you need to patch things up is a tea bag or coffee filter, along with your usual manicure gear.

How to fix a broken nail at home

What you'll need

Nail polish remover
A paper tea bag (or coffee filter)
Scissors
Base coat
Tweezers / an orange stick
Fine-grit nail file / buffer
Nail polish
Top coat

Ella+Mila Soy Nail Polish Remover

essie Grow Stronger Base Coat

Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator Nail File

OPI Nail Lacquer Top Coat

Step 1: Start with a clean nail.

Remove the nail polish from your broken nail and wash your hands so the area is clean, dry, and free of oils.

Step 2: Prep your tea bag or filter.

Empty the tea bag of its leaves, and using your scissors, cut a piece from it to cover not just the break, but the entire width and length of your nail (for added strength and durability).

Step 3: Apply tea bag or filter to your broken nail.

Push the torn part of your nail back into place as best you can, then brush an even layer of base coat onto the area. While it's still wet, press the piece of tea bag (or filter) onto your nail. Use your tweezers or an orange stick to smooth it out, making sure the broken part of your nail is securely in place. Wait for it to dry.

Step 4: Add a layer of base coat.

Apply another even layer of base coat to the nail (the tea bag or filter will become semi-transparent), and wait for it to dry.

Step 5: Gently file and buff your nail.

Trim away the excess tea bag or filter that's hanging over the edge of your nail with your soft nail file—file in one direction, using long and swift (but gentle) strokes. Gently buff the top of your nail so that the paper is blended completely into your nail.

Step 6: Paint your nails as usual.

Add one more layer of base coat (cover the free edge of your nail too to help prevent future snags), and wait for it to dry. Same goes for your go-to nail polish—add however many coats necessary to make your nail look uniform with the rest of your manicure. Finish off with your top coat, and your manicure will be back to its former glory.

Want to make sure you're getting the steps right? Follow the step-by-step video below from Youtuber Nia Hope for a visual walk through:

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Krissy Brady Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention, and she also writes for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women's Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com.

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