Hi mamas! I was wondering if you have any recommendations for me. My fingernails are thin, soft and ragged. Sometimes I bite them (they're all down to the quick) and when I can, I cut them and/or file them smooth. But they're never really smooth and they snag on everything (including my clothes, and disposable diapers when I diaper babies) so I end up biting them again. I have tried Sally Hansen stuff and also Jessica Critical Care but nothing helps. Do you know of a product I can use to help my nails be smooth and strong? I'm not even looking to grow them much, I just want to stop snagging then on everything I touch. I'm grateful for any advice you have for me. Many Thanks... *Peace*!
Ugh! You are not alone! My nails are very thin. When they are long, I can bend them all the way backwards! Freaks my strong-nailed pals out!!
A good friend of mine swears by Nail Envy!!
when you file them do you drag the file back and fourth or only in one direction? Do you keep them polished so you will refrain from biting? Dark colors look great on small nails - I also like to use glittery polish when I feel the urge to bite my nails. You should use a strenthening base/top coat and keep your nails polished and again file in ONE direction do not drag the file back and fourth.
I would try some supplements, or even prenatal vitamins. Soft nails are usually a sign of some sort of mineral deficiency. I had to learn all this stuff in cosmetology school :)
Also, stop biting your nails, it's part of the problem!!! Use a smooth file to carefully round the tips and a smooth buffer for the top (if your nails can handle it, as that thins the nail.)
I hear Nail Tek II Intensive Therapy For Soft Peeling Nails is good to try.
Read these articles for extra tips to help strengthen them:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/75277-strengthen-weak-s...
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/skin-and-hair/can-fin...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7_aZOhRres
Taking a daily multi-vitamin seems to help my nails grow stronger =)
I hate to say it, but as long as you bite your nails, they will continue to be thin and ragged. When you bite, the pieces peel off and if you get some of the top layers, they will be weaker and continue to snag or break as they grow.
I would go to a manicurist and let them teach you the proper way to file your nails. Filing across the top of the nail bed further weakens them.
You must stop biting.
You might try going to a health food store and asking about something you can do. You might have a vitamin deficiency.
The very first thing, really, is to not chew your nails and let someone show you proper filing, etc.
Good luck!
Get some Hookermaker cream from Sallys. I used this at night on the cuticle and rubbed it in and had very strong and long nails that people thought were false.
It's time to do this again so that they look nice. Also try using a fingernail file and going in one direction only. This way the nail is not roughed up more and causes snags which you experience with your clothes and diapers.
When the nail does break, don't bite it off. Get the fingernail file out and file it down or a pair of maincure scissors and but it.
Try using a good handcream at night before you go to bed since you are in a cold dry/wet climate. This helps with the moisture in your hands and keeps them from looking like you just pulled them out of the flour barrel.
Have a good holiday season.
The other S.
PS The Hoofmaker cream can be used over the nail polish.
Sounds like you are deficinet in some key vitamins and minerals--probably B vitamins. If you don't take a daily multivitamin, I would start. A wonderful one is by Country Life and is called Core-1 daily for Women. You can get it from Whole Foods or from vitacost.com. You might also want to think about taking a B-Complex vitamin.
My daughter used to have lots and lots of problems with her own fingernails. After I put her on a daily multivitamin and also a B-Complex, her fingernails are absolutely gorgeous. In fact, our hair dresser can't get over how nice both hers and my fingernails are.
I have had good luck with OPI Nail Envy. You apply like 2 coats at once and then a coat every day. I am not sure what it does, but it seems to help!!
Weak nails can be a sign of thyroid trouble.
Have your levels tested.
For stronger nails and hair, for several months take daily:
1 Biotin supplement
1 tablespoon of black strap molasses and
1 teaspoon FOOD GRADE diotomaceous earth (mix it into juice or water and drink it down).
The Biotin is a vitamin B source, the molasses is a sulfur source and the diotomacious earth is a silica source - all these things are needed for strong hair and nails.
When I do this my hair/nails are strong and grow quickly, but it grows quickly everywhere - you'll be shaving your underarms and legs more often.
