Why Medications Can Change Your Nails — A Nail Technician’s Perspective
An educational look at nail changes, product retention, and what nail techs notice over time
⚠️ Important note before we begin
I am not a doctor, and this article is not medical advice.
If you notice changes in your nails, it does not automatically mean something is wrong, and it does not automatically mean medication is the cause. Nail changes can come from many sources: stress, illness, hormones, diet, trauma, or lifestyle.
This article is for educational purposes only, based on over 10 years of professional experience working with clients who take various medications and seeing how those medications sometimes show up in the nails.
If you have concerns about your health, always speak with your doctor.
How pharmaceutical drugs can affect nails
Medications can influence nails mainly because they interfere with:
• Cell turnover
• Blood flow
• Hormones
• Hydration
• Protein (keratin) production
Since nails are made of keratin and grow slowly, anything that disrupts the body’s systems can appear in the nails weeks or even months later.
This is why nail changes often feel sudden, even though the cause may have started much earlier.
Common nail effects linked to medications
1. Weak, bendy, or peeling nails
Often associated with:
• Antidepressants
• Hormonal medications
• Retinoids such as isotretinoin and acitretin (used for acne and psoriasis)
• Chemotherapy
• Thyroid medication
Why:
These drugs can reduce keratin quality or dehydrate the nail plate, making nails softer, more flexible, or prone to splitting.
2. Poor retention of nail enhancements
Commonly seen with:
• Antidepressants (SSRIs and tricyclics like amitriptyline)
• Hormone therapy
• Steroids
• Some anticonvulsants
• Retinoids (isotretinoin, acitretin)
These medications can change:
• Nail pH
• Oil production
• Sweat composition
Which can lead to:
→ Gel or acrylic not adhering as well
→ Faster lifting
→ “Mystery clients” who suddenly develop retention issues
With retinoids, the nail plate itself can become thinner and softer, meaning enhancements have less structure to bond to.
3. Slow nail growth
Associated with:
• Chemotherapy
• Beta blockers
• Antidepressants
• Thyroid medication
These medications can slow down cell turnover, meaning nails grow more slowly and can appear weaker over time.
4. Colour changes or marks
Some medications can cause:
• Yellowing
• Bluish tones
• Brown lines
• White spots
• Beau’s lines (horizontal ridges across the nail)
Notable examples include:
• Chemotherapy
• Minocycline
• Antimalarial drugs
• Certain heart medications
These changes usually appear weeks after the body has experienced stress or medication changes.
5. Dry cuticles and cracking
Very common with:
• Antidepressants
• Retinoids such as isotretinoin
• Diuretics
• Antihistamines
These drugs reduce moisture and oil production, which directly affects the nail plate and surrounding skin.
Why antidepressants, specifically, can affect nails and enhancements
Antidepressants can:
• Alter sweat chemistry
• Affect circulation
• Reduce oil production
• Slightly change nail plate structure
• Slow growth
This can result in:
✔ More lifting
✔ Increased brittleness
✔ Dry cuticles
✔ Inconsistent retention
✔ Nails that “don’t behave like they used to”
Clients often feel confused because nothing about their nail routine has changed — but their body chemistry has.
The professional nail-tech takeaway
When a client says:
“My nails suddenly won’t last anymore.”
A very useful question is:
“Have you started any new medication in the last 2–3 months?”
Because nail changes lag behind medication changes.
This doesn’t mean the medication is bad or should be stopped — it simply helps us understand that nails are part of the body, not separate from it.
It also reminds us that product performance is not always about:
• Prep
• Products
• Technique
• Client behaviour
Sometimes, the reason is internal.
Final thoughts
Nails are often one of the first visible places where internal changes show up.
They can reflect hydration, stress, hormones, illness — and sometimes medication.
Understanding this helps:
• Nail technicians work more realistically
• Clients feel less blamed
• Expectations stay healthy
• Nail care becomes more supportive, not punishing
Want to learn more about nails from a professional perspective?
Each month, I share a short newsletter with things I notice in the studio — nail health, beauty, and small insights that don’t fit on social media.
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