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When you get a moment, take a look at your hands or, more precisely, your nails. Are they cracked? Do they feel brittle? Yes? Then maybe it's time to ditch the acrylics and turn your back on gels. If your nails are looking weak, flaky, or parched, it's time to do something about it.

Fortunately there are lots of ways of strengthening nails and improving nail health to leave your talons looking shiny and new. If you have an issue with the end of your fingers, browse this gallery and nail it!

▲When choosing products, look carefully at what's actually mixed in with your nail polishes or treatments. Always choose nontoxic nail polishers and soaks.

▲Avoid products that contain acetone, which can actually damage and weaken nails.

▲Beware shampoo for oily hair. It's designed to dry out the hair, but in doing so can also strip nails of strength, leaving them weak or brittle.

▲Water is essential for health, and that includes nail health. Drink plenty to keep hydrated, and to help nails retain moisture and stay long.

▲Avoid filing your nails in a back-and-forth motion: this kind of technique can weaken your nails. Instead, file in one direction only.

▲Using hand sanitizers too often can ruin your nails. Sanitizers actually dry out your hands and nails.

▲When using hand cream after removing polish, make sure you also moisturize your nails. In fact, get into the habit of applying a decent lotion every time you wash your hands.

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Ever tried using a keyboard with long nails? What about trying to open a soda can? Don't. Instead, try using the pads of your fingers for tasks like these, or be clever by using a paper clip or a pencil to reach something in a small space.

▲How do you look after long nails when they keep breaking or catching on things? Easy answer: keep 'em short! They're less likely to get chipped, cracked, or split, and guess what? They'll be stronger for it.

▲Why not give your nails a break from nail polish every once in a while? Constant use of polish, even the nontoxic variety, can weaken and degrade nails. Instead, banish it all and let the keratin breathe for a week or so.

▲Try and avoid using acrylic nails. While it's an easy alternative for those who have problems growing their nails, it really is just a cop-out. What's more, frequent use can, in fact, cause nails to peel. Rule of thumb: if you must get them, use only occasionally.

▲Similarly, think twice before using gel polish. This treatment goes hand-in-hand with a technique that's been identified as a risk factor for cancer. And that technique is...

▲...ultra violet nail light exposure. While your average exposure is far lower than what you get with UV tanning equipment, is it really worth going anywhere near this kind of procedure? Oh, and by the way, UV exposure also ages the skin that supports a healthy nail.

▲Make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals—a diet that's deficient in these nutrients can affect your entire body, including your nails.

▲Consuming foods packed with essential fatty acids—tuna, salmon, shellfish, leafy vegetables—is a delicious and healthy way of repairing and maintaining nails. It's pretty good for the rest of you as well!

▲One of the reasons for the urge to bite nails is a lack of magnesium in the system. Magnesium-rich foods include pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate (but go easy on the candy).

▲Similarly, a calcium deficit is another reason why some people may automatically bite their nails. Stock up on calcium-rich foods like chia seeds, white beans, leafy greens, and nuts.

▲They're not the most fashionable of attire, but wearing a pair of rubber gloves while washing dishes is one of the most practical ways to protect your nails. Too much soaking in water can cause your nails to become weak and brittle.

▲It's not just the washing up you need to think about. Get into the habit of putting on gloves for all household chores. The chemicals found swimming in some cleaning fluids can weaken and discolor nails.

▲Taking a biotin supplement can help strengthen nails and hair, and promote their healthy growth. Biotin, also known as vitamin H and vitamin B-7, should be taken daily, but always check with your healthcare provider before taking a biotin supplement.

▲An obvious thing to curtail perhaps, but you'd be surprised how many people do this by habit.

▲If you're a hopeless nail-biter, invest in anti-nail biting cream or polish. Dab a little on each nail and see how nasty it tastes on your tongue. Once you get out of the habit, you can stop using the cream.

▲Gently tapping nails on a table can help strengthen them. Just make sure you do this alone. The relentless tap-tap-tapping can be hugely annoying to anyone within earshot.

▲Trim you nails on a regular basis. How often depends entirely on how quickly your nails grow, and how long you want them.

▲Treat yourself once in a while to a professional manicure. Make sure it's a reputable practice staffed by experts in a sterile environment.

▲Good nail health is also about cuticle care. But don't try and trim your cuticles. Instead, use an orange stick to gently push them back.

▲A daily slathering of cuticle oil to repair, nourish, and moisturize is the ideal way to round off your nail care routine. Look for almond or chamomile-based oils.

▲In addition, coconut oil is known to help strengthen brittle nails. So too is olive oil. Apply either throughout the day as needed.

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If you still have issues with your nails after following these tips, remedies, and suggestions, talk with a qualified dermatologist. There might be an underlying condition causing thin or brittle nails, and this will need to be identified sooner rather than later.