Not Pretty Nails!

Try the green tea nail treatment. It's not expensive and it worked for me. Look on the nail polish rack at the grocery or drug store.

Hi,
I have also had trouble with my nails, as I always chewed them off before. I have been taking a vitamin from Walmart called Hair, skin and nails. It has made my nails grow quicker and my hair grow also. You may be low in calcium too.
Good luck,
PB

Keep a nail file in the bathroom next to the toilet... that way you can do 2 things at once. I keep my nails very short... which helps keep them looking healthy. I would go to Sally Beauty Supply and ask what they recommend! I put foot lotion on before I put my socks on when I am going to the gym... keeps everything soft!

Coming from a single, working mom of two wonderful children, you MUST take time for yourself!!! However, if you're not there yet, a wonderful way to spend time with your girls is to set aside a few hours every weekend for y'all to give each other manicures and pedicures. Not only do your hands and feet benefit, but you're spending time with your girls too. It's a win/win for everyone. Most drug stores will have everything you need for this and relatively inexpensive prices. To take care of the cracking nails, you need to get a nail hardener (it's usually a clear polish). As for your feet, get a foot scrubber and some foot lotion and place it in your shower. Every other night, use it on your feet. You'll be amazed at the difference and it takes no time at all. Pretty soon you'll have gorgeous nails and soft as silk feet!! Enjoy:)

This from my nutritionist husband.

>Many have already suggested Omega 3, you might also need the amino acid proline (which is ready available, can be found in most protein sources, and things as simple as sure-gel). You may improve your overall skin health, which affects nail health or is reflected in nail health by making sure you have adequate intake of vitamin A and zinc.<

Good luck S.... as others have suggested find time to take care of you!!! Your family depends on you...so you have to take good care of the care-giver!

many blessings!

Lotions and oils would work best if used after a bath or shower, but won't really solve the problem.

Either something is really drying out your nails (chemicals, exposure to water--gloves would help, dry conditions) or you have some nutritional deficiencies.

Are you getting enough Vitamin C, omega-3, and and folic acid? Shortages of these (as well as iron, B complex, and calcium) have been linked to dry, brittle nails. If you're already taking a multi-vitamin, try changing to a different one.

If you want to add extra but don't know how much, this goverment website has factsheets on the vitamins.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Vitamin_and_Mine...

For the omega-3s, see
http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Information_Abou...

If you try these and it doesn't help, you might want to get a thyroid check. Dry, brittle nails can be a symptom of that.

Hope that helps!

Hi S..

I am an "inactive" manicurist--I decided to stay at home 7 years ago when we adopted our first child. The very best thing you can buy for natural nails is a product called Nailtiques. There are some knock-offs on the market (Nail-techs, etc.) but they don't work. It is not sold at our professional beauty supply stores nor is it sold at Sally's, I have to order it from the manufacturer. For convenience, I usually just buy it at a Merle Norman cosmetic store , although it is not a Merle Norman product. You may even be able to find it online...I've never tried that. You mentioned that you don't have a lot of time to trim, file, and buff. Although trimming and filing is necessary, you should never buff your nails. Buffing the top of your nail will cause splitting and peeling. Ridges are normal and should never be buffed out. If you are buffing for shine, use a clear ploish instead. Regular maintenance is necessary to have nice nails. You don't have to go see a manicurist to have nice nails. Make a trimming/filing/polishing commitment to your nails once a week. You will notice results almost immediately. Nailtiques will strengthen and lengthen your nails. The only problem is that it doesn't last very long. I find I have to re-aply about every third day, although the end result is definitely worth the maintenance. Nailtiques only requires one thin layer and it dries very quickly. I push my cuticles back and apply it after my night time shower. By the time I put the lid back on my polish is dry. I have not tried Nailtiques with colored polish on myself-I prefer clear nails, however I used it regularly on my clients. I don't remember anyone complaining. You can email me at ____@____.com if you have anymore questions.

Your diet isn't giving you what you need...that is why your nails are weak...is your hair brittle too? I know that drinking milk or increasing your calcium can help. Also, you can eat jello or add geletin to your juice. Make sure to cut back on the fast food and work on fish, veggies and other healthful foods for overall health...you have to keep up that strength to take care of those girls! Good luck!

You're probably just not getting enough calcium. Go to Sun Harvest and get calcium with vitamin D. If you can drink milk add that back too- it will take a couple of weeks but you will be amazed with the difference. (When you're not getting enough calcium your digestive system will take what it needs to process protein from your nails and bones- ) Good Luck!

I take Biotin - it is a Vitamin B supplement. Can be found at pharmacy or GNC stores. Two pills daily, and after about 30 days you will notice your nails are stronger. Also good for your hair.

Look for almond oil and rub it in your cuticles and nails when ever you have time. It could be once a day or once a week. This works for me. Good luck. Also, I go to walmart every so often ad get a manicure there for $5. They do a good job. Don't get fake nails, just have them clean yours and put their oils on you I do this 2 a year.

Check with your Dr. next time you see him. There are medical problems that can also cause this. Using some household cleaners without gloves on can cause this also. Take some vitamins and wash hands when drying push back the cuticle and wear gloves when using clean liquids. Hope this helps it did for me.

Try European Secrets Nail System. (http://www.amazon.com/European-Secrets-Never-Polish-Shiel....

I used to buy it at Sally Beauty Supply and have seen it at Walgreens in the past but not recently. The nail system is great...a clear polish...apply one coat a day over the top of old for a week or two...apply cuticle oil (that also acts as rapid polish dryer). Remove and start again...after just a week you'll see improvement...less peeling and chipping and nails appear thicker...after a month, you'll have ten strong beautiful nails.

Nutra-nail original formula (CVS, Walgreens) also worked for me...I sometimes used it in combination with European Secrets system for intensive care/repair.

NOTE: the "never chip polish shield" included with the European Secrets offer from amazon.com (link above) is another great product...I use it on my pedicures and the polish lasts several weeks with no chipping or peeling!

Hi S.,

According to my Essential Oil Reference book, poor or weak nails indicate a sulfer deficiency. The recommendations are Sulfurzyme, myrrh, lemon or frankincense oil. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Years ago I used to use Mane Tail. Its a product sold at Sally Beauty supplies. It use to be used on horses hoofs. It made my nails stronger and I also used Sally Hansen nail hardern it was blue. I think there are all different kinds. Good luck!

My doctor recommended Biotin; a vitamin supplement you can find at your local pharmacy and grocery store without a prescription. It's great for hair, skin and nails. I have been taking it for 3 months and I see a major difference. Even my hairdresser commented on the difference it has made to make my dry hair healthier. My eye doctor also recommended taking 1 or 2 flaxseed oil pills daily and I do. The flaxseed oil is good for extra moisturization of your entire body. You should check with your nurse/doctor with a phone call just to confirm it's okay for you to take it. Good Luck!

Are you taking vitamins? Omega 3? I found as soon as I took Omega 3 I got better nails/ hair- in fact we take a MEGA KRILL PILL(from Costco) - hubby has cholesterol issues - it has done wonders to stregthen my nails- also rub plain old extra virgin olive oil in at nigh tfor help with dry/brittle nails... Keep them shorter till the new growth reaches the tips (few weeks-months) & enjoy the new stronger ones shortly! I PROMISE?! Watch how you buff them- that could damge them as well.( when you buff that part grows down to the tip a few weeks later & if you buff too much you are thinning it out before it ever gets to the tips?!
Clear Nail hardner helps too- SALLYS-
Have fun!
K

Well good luck all my life I have had the worst nails except when I was on prenatal job. The prenatal vitamins helped so much but since then now they are terrible again. I have not found anything that has been helpful. Let me know if you get lucky. Thanks

good nutrition is extremely helpful with this sort of problem...see a naturalpath doctor...you'll see improvements

To add to what others have said, drink LOTS of water! Dehyration adds to the problem and when you are drinking sodas it depletes vitamins AND water from your body.

sounds like a vitamin deficiency. Talk to your doctor.

Also, maybe it is best for you to just keep your nails short-short. Forget the modest length. I'll try and grow mine a little in case I ever make it to get a manicure but really, nails just look nasty if they are grown out and not polished.

I use a great Cuticle Oil Pen from BeautiControl. Let me know if you would like to try one!
B.

i use Sally Hansen's Advanced Hard as nails with Nylon + Retinol. Works wonders! it's just a clear polish but your nails will experience extreme strength and growth. a bottle from walmart is les sthan $5.00! My nail tech told me about it and then immediately regretted she did. LOL!

I have insulin resistance. What that means physically is that I have dry skin, cracked feet, dandruff, achne, brittle finger nails. I changed my diet and it took care of most everything on that list. If other remidies dont work and you have these symptoms too you should go to a nutritionest that can test you for insulin resistance which is not the same as diabties. Basically your body craves sugar, bread and it dose not process them but turns them to fat and stores it to your body....80lbs later I understand it was true! Good luck.

OK, I have week dry and brittle nails also...all my life, I don't really mind, so the beauty part doesn't bother me, but it can be painful when they crack down the middle.
So from a country kid...I'm not foolin when I tell you to go to your local feed and tack store and get "hoof cream" it is sold for hoofed animals but works wonders on nails, just put it in a small container and drop it in your purse, when your anywhere you have 30 seconds...ie..check out line, waiting for kids to get out of school etc...and just rub some in.

Try taking calcium supplements like Calcium Citrate. You can buy a big jar of it at Costco for about $10. Whenever I'm consistent with taking my calcium pills, my nails grow faster and are a lot stronger with no breakage.

Hope that helps!

Good morning,

Try a SKin Nutrition, it is the best in the market, new technology, with BioActive X3, yes, new technology

http://www.glimpseskincare.com/
This has helped with toe and nail conditions.

Estee Lauder wanted to buy these new formula , If you read the founder placed a patent, so this is new, and no body else has this new formula, It works!

Oly

Hi S., I was a nail biter! I never had nails, they were so soft it was so easy just to bite them, until I started to use "Revivanail"! It is wonderful. I no longer bite my nails and get compliments everyday on my nails. Revivanail makes them so strong and beautiful. It is a clear polish that you apply once a day. It also dries very quickly. You will start seeing the difference in your nails within 7 days!! You really need to try it, I love it and wouldn't have any nails without it!!!
I get mine from my beauty salon.

hey, i had the same problem. about a year ago or so i started using sally hansen's maximum growth treatment. it comes in a box with the daily nail growth treatment and a tip whitener, and the nourishing nail color ( a little french manicure kit! ) (about 8 bucks or so at walmart.) then after that ( i usually don't do the color part) i use nutra nail green tea. (about 2 or 3 bucks anywhere.) my nails not only barely grew but they were parper thin, now long and fairly strong. actually i hate cutting them but now they grow so fast it's almost like a circus side show! lol. good luck!

Try over the counter prenatal vitamins. It's cheap and great for hair and nails.

I have dry brittle nails too. Normally I wear fake nails just because I have never been able to grow my own. Recently I decided to try Nutra Nail Treatment with Green Tea and I have to say I am impressed. I also take extra calcium and I take Geritol vitamins. All of these things work for me. Good lluck.

Hi S. -

I would call a spa or even Ulta and ask what you need for your dryness - I am sure there's an oil or something and also - are you getting enough EFA's??? Olive oil is good too just don't heat it high - it's not a high heat oil and will lose all it's good stuff! Eat good fats for your nails and I do know that vit. E is great too for your nails - and gelatin. Make some jello with your kiddos! :>

Good luck -
Alli