What can I do for my fingernails?

Question

I had been getting acrylic nails, but they weren't looking very nice the last 2 times I had them filled, so I decided to soak them off to remove them. It's been over a month now and my nails look terrible. They're very weak and keep splitting and tearing off. Is there anything I can do to get my nails healthy again and help them to grow again?

Answer 1

To help heal soft, peeling, weak, orthin nails, try a product called Nail Tek ll. Apply two coats, then apply one coat every other day. After a week, remove, and start again. Also, use a good quality cuticle oil such as Solar Oil. Apply to your cuticle area, and massage into both the skin and your nails. This will help to moisturize them. Do this 2-3 times a day, every day.
Also, wear gloves whenever you are working with water, or any chemicals, such as when cleaning or doing dishes. Water is one of the worst things for your nails.
Someone mentioned a "Solar" overlay. What, may I ask, is that? The only "SolarNail" that I know of is made by Creative Nail Design, and it is an acrylic line, among other things like lotions, etc. Probably just a play on words that the discount shops use because I'm very familiar with them using the term to describe Pink & Whites, but those are definitely acrylics, though they make it sound like its some kind of 'new' type of nails. Its not. Its acrylic.
Just one note: Acrylic does not damage your nails, but a poorly trained, unqualified technician will often ruin your nails. They do so by 1) Using "Dremels" on your natural nails. These drills are not made for use on nails. And a drill should never be used on the natural nail. Period. All that is needed is a gentle hand filing prior to the application to remove the shine from the nail to give the acrylic, or gels something to adhere to. These people more often than not will take way, way too much off your natural nail. And that is what ruins them. And, 2) Improper removal also will ruin them. Ever had a discount salon tech use nippers to rip the enhancement off of your natural nail? Or perhaps use a nail tip to 'pry' the acrylic off? That is soooo damaging to your natural nail in itself, not to mention quite painful. Nail services should never hurt in any way, either during, or after. Acrylics should always be soaked off, but most of these places don't do it because it takes too long, so they just rip and tear away the nail. Wrong! And acrylics should never be filed off either. Soaking really is the only safe way, and it results in minimal damage to your natural nails.
Like I said, acrylics do not damage your nails, a bad tech does. Disclaimer: The only exception to that rule is when a discount salon uses products which contain MMA. The reason they use it is because it is so cheap to buy (its usually the 'liquid' that contains MMA). This is a hazardous substance which is not approved for use on nails, and is banned, and even illegal in many states for this purpose. MMA is some nasty stuff that WILL ruin your nails, and possibly endanger your health as well. Like I said, it is very cheap to buy compared to what they should be using, hence the low (discount) prices. They cut every corner possible to keep the costs down. And that is not a good way to operate, and if this is what you are, or have been getting, then I suggest finding a reputable salon with thoroughly trained, experienced, licensed techs. It will cost you more, and you will need an appointment most of the time, but its sooo worth it. Avoid the discount salons, like the ones in Walmart, and places like that. They're bad news, really.

Answer 2

Okay, unfortunately, there is little you can do for the already acrylic damaged nails. Keep them filed off short and use a clear, strengthening polish or treatment on them to help avoid the awful tearing and chipping, until the damaged nail grows out and is filed away. This is going to take a while. Be prepared to be patient.

Meanwhile, start taking Biotin. It is wonderful for strengthening your nails and making them grow a bit faster, too. Biotin will not repair your already damaged nails, but it will help the new nails growing in to be even better then ever. Biotin takes time to work. Allow for about six weeks to start seeing a difference in new nail growth. After the damaged nail material is gone.

Answer 3

Get a solar overlay on your nails only. I wish you would have done it as soon as you took off the acrylic, because I know by now your nails nails are alot shorter, but it doesn't matter because they'll grow back in no time. If they are too short to get the overlay now...suck it up and get a full set. Keep getting that full set refilled until your nails separate from it abit and then get the overlay, it's clear, way thinner than the acrylic or any other overlay and your nails are getting the nutrients they need.


~STAY BEAUTIFUL~

Answer 4

Do not use a nail clipper. Only use a nail file to shape and shorten them. Protect your nails with thicker moisturizers to protect them from exposure to water which dries them out & makes them brittle.

Try Revlon's disposable files made for weak nails. File in one direction only. Start on one side and file towards the middle, then go to the other side and file towards the middle of your nail. Smooth the nail into a squoval that mirrors you cuticle or the shape of the white part of your nail bed. Avoid filing down the sides of the nail.

Finish the edges of the nail with a hindo stone, a smooth ceramic/stone nail file or the finest grit nail file you can find. You want to make the edges really smooth.

Also, avoid using metal nail files. I recommend using disposable nail files and changing them frequently. The fresher the grit, the less the drag which leads to tearing and peeling.

I also use a cuticle balm or nail oil to moisturize my nails and protect them from water since I wash my hands frequently.
(ex. Solar Oil, OPI Avoplex)

Vit E oil, jojoba oil, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaseline or plain Chapstick will work too.

Avoid products w/ formaldehyde or toluene, they are very hard on nails.

Some women swear by taking pre-natal vitamins.

Answer 5

Well first off that's got to suck!Okay know back to the nails you can make your nails stronger and shiny er by placing garlic on your nails i know what you are thinking grows but it works all you have to do is chop a tip of garlic and rub it on all of your nails at least 5 times a day every day and you will start seeing the difference.

Answer 6

I'm a guy, and privately, I don't like long nails. We know a lot of like long, painted nails cause they're "so pretty", but I don't like them.

Answer 7

A little bit of nail is fine... but I agree together with you. Long nails are kinda gross.

Answer 8

thats the other side to having acrylic nails on a regular basis. thats why i stopped. they look great but they damage your real nails. thats normal, dont freak out. it took mine about 3 months to get back healthy looking and "normal."

Answer 9

let them repair thier self no polish nothin let them breath and they will grow so u don't have 2 use fake nails

Answer 10

eat stuff with alot of vitamin E, stugg like yogurt and drink milk and just wait until they start growing normally