Weak nails....

Lululucyloo
Lululucyloo Posts: 64
edited November 11 in Food and Nutrition
This is a bit off topic but I thought someone would know..
I stopped biting my nails after 23 years..... 6 weeks ago, I had about 5mm of nail and now they are at the tips of my fingers (almost)
They are very bendy, weak and peel off. Also the skin around them is sore.
Does anyone know what I can take to help strengthen my nails?
thnks

Replies

  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    I just started taking a pre-natal vitamin again. It's helped me in the past. Someone on my list also recommended Cetaphil (I think that's what it's called).
  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    It's not. It's called perfectil. Sorry about that.
  • karenCalandro
    karenCalandro Posts: 92
    I take hair skin and nail vitamins. Jello is a good thing to eat to strengthen your nails. You can also get some "Sally Hanson Triple Strong Advanced Gel Nail Fortifier
  • RoboLikes
    RoboLikes Posts: 519 Member
    OPI has a great nail strengthener you can get on Sephora's website, it's $9 and amazing!
  • Lululucyloo
    Lululucyloo Posts: 64
    I cant use nail polishes, I have a sally hansen one and because my nails have ridges from have acrylic tips the nail polish just bubbles and peals off... hence wanting something to take :smile:
  • Murlin54
    Murlin54 Posts: 81 Member
    I read to paint them with clear iodine. I got some at the Walgreens here in MD. Google it. Here is one link I just found quickly. I used it for a while and I think it helped. My nails are strong right now but I have a problem with them once I start using polish. It always weakens them and they end up a mess again.

    http://www.beautiful-healthy-fingernails.com/white-iodine.html
  • Lululucyloo
    Lululucyloo Posts: 64
    It's not. It's called perfectil. Sorry about that.
    Thanks, looking it up now
  • healthbunny
    healthbunny Posts: 86
    Make sure you are getting enough healthy fats and you can buy nail polish and remover with strengthner in :) Putting a layer nail polish on will make your nails less bendy anyway. :D
  • Jill_newimprovedversion
    Jill_newimprovedversion Posts: 988 Member
    CONGRATULATIONS to kicking that habit- I gnawed on mine till they were bloody stumps {STRESS reliever}
    and although I damaged the nail beds, I can grow them long enough that they look pretty and feminine.
    That's as tough a habit to break as any.

    Calcium and Vit A supplements are a good start.

    Take care of your hands while using harsh chemicals (cleaning products)= use rubber gloves as much as possible.
    Keep your cuticles softened with lotion too.
  • sumjoy
    sumjoy Posts: 84 Member
    I had that problem all my life and then I accidentally discovered (due to gel polish) that all I had to do was put a drop of cuticle or light-weight essential oil (such as jojoba, sunflower, almond, olive, etc) along my cuticles after I showered every day. Now they're strong and flexible, and my cuticles look good, too.
  • RoboLikes
    RoboLikes Posts: 519 Member
    The OPI one is more of a treatment than a nail polish. but you could also take a Vitamin E supplement too.
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    Also keeping them moisturized has helped me a tad bit. I use a nail oil to brush over the nail bed when I do not have nail polish on, and I brush the cuticles once a day with the oil.
  • kauaibaby
    kauaibaby Posts: 25 Member
    Biotin capsules. Great for your hair and nails. And my hairdresser friend says lots of gelatin/jello. Sugar free of course!
  • Lululucyloo
    Lululucyloo Posts: 64
    I had that problem all my life and then I accidentally discovered (due to gel polish) that all I had to do was put a drop of cuticle or light-weight essential oil (such as jojoba, sunflower, almond, olive, etc) along my cuticles after I showered every day. Now they're strong and flexible, and my cuticles look good, too.
    I use a cuticle oil, I keep it in the car and put it on every time I drive (2/3 x a day) lol it's the only place I remember to do it
  • littlebigsteve
    littlebigsteve Posts: 75 Member
    .
  • myfriendamy
    myfriendamy Posts: 131 Member
    I stopped biting my nails a few months ago and I had similar problems :( I started taking biotin (in the vitamin aisle) and using nailtiques nail protein (it's a clear "polish" and it won't bubble or peel easily). I've noticed a HUGE improvement in my nail length and strength.

    the skin around my nails is still in need of help, but I've been using a nail and cuticle oil called solar oil (?) and it's helping. along with drinking lots of water and staying hydrated!
  • hozik
    hozik Posts: 369 Member
    I found my nails got stronger and less brittle after I started taking vitamin D3.
  • Lululucyloo
    Lululucyloo Posts: 64
    CONGRATULATIONS to kicking that habit- I gnawed on mine till they were bloody stumps {STRESS reliever}
    and although I damaged the nail beds, I can grow them long enough that they look pretty and feminine.
    That's as tough a habit to break as any.

    Calcium and Vit A supplements are a good start.

    Take care of your hands while using harsh chemicals (cleaning products)= use rubber gloves as much as possible.
    Keep your cuticles softened with lotion too.
    I will start taking calcium actually cause I have very little dairy as it does not agree with me
    and I absolutely need to wear gloves as I do cleaning jobs of a night time for extra money and do not wear gloves :0( thanks
  • Murlin54
    Murlin54 Posts: 81 Member
    "HINTS FROM HELOISE -- White iodine will rebuild nail strength

    A daily application of white iodine on your fingernails for one week will help strengthen them. After the first week, use only once a week. This is not a case of more is better; do not continue to use white iodine on your fingernails every day, or they will become too brittle. It might take several weeks to see any improvement if your nails are paper-thin from using a primer on them (for acrylics) or from being roughed up so the nail products would adhere better.

    Since white iodine is relatively inexpensive and easy to use, it's the perfect “help” for soft, damaged fingernails.

    Avoid using hydrogen peroxide (or anything containing it) while using white iodine; these two products “don't get along” and can cause your fingernails to turn orange. Also, clean an old fingernail-polish brush with polish remover, and use this to easily apply the iodine to your nails." from http://curezone.com/forums/am.asp?i=894604

    I just used a cue tip to apply to my nails.
  • Murlin54
    Murlin54 Posts: 81 Member
    Q-tip (I knew that looked wrong, lol)
  • dollymixsix
    dollymixsix Posts: 112
    Biotin?
  • ella78
    ella78 Posts: 23
    I used to have terribly weak nails. I was also a nail biter for 30 years! I finally quit biting my nails a while ago and this year I've noticed that my nails have become stronger and stronger. They don't peel, crack or bend at all anymore. About two years ago, I started taking B complex, iron, vitamin D and fish oil. I'm not sure which supplements are doing the trick, but my nails are amazing now.

    Maybe this site can help:
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/22016-vitamins-needed-strong-nails/
  • slimelizard
    slimelizard Posts: 1
    Oh well done! I'm on my fourth attempt (over many years) of not biting nails, I've grown them (and learned how to use a nail file) now since mid-December. I've been a biter of my nails and skin for as long as I can remember and now at 27 got the "wake up call" when I realised I have lost the enamel off the tips of my teeth I used for biting! In previous attempts I had the same problems you describe - I used a cuticle cream (Eulactol), but this time I'm having a lot of success keeping nails and skin strong using Avon's Silicone Glove hand cream. Having said all that, experience has shown me that eating better is the main thing you can do to have healthy skin and nails - I know it's said so often but it's NOT overrated! Upping my intake of green leafy salads and fresh veggies has really made a huge difference and is why I consider I've succeeded this time! Keep it up :)
  • Lululucyloo
    Lululucyloo Posts: 64
    Thank you everyone for all the replies, I am reading through and looking at info on all the suggestions
    I have no idea why I stopped biting my nails as I have tried so many times with no success not even a full day....
    My nails really are paper thin, I've taken skin off my face and ear as they are like little razors and I am not use to them haha

    Anyway thanks again :0)
  • comet_wow
    comet_wow Posts: 180 Member
    I use Sea Kelp tablets for my nails. Works wonders for healthy hair too.
  • NicolettetheGreek
    NicolettetheGreek Posts: 246 Member
    Biotin, 5000mcg, 1 tab a day. 6.00 at Walmart. Brand Spring Valley.

    Make sure you get the one in green bottle, yellow label that has Super Potency, Biotin in BIG letters, 5000mcg under that, and then under that it says skin/hair/nail support. 120 capsules.

    WHY?? because, spring valley also sells,l
    \

    SKIN/HAIR/NAILS in big letters, with Biotin 5000mcg below it.

    The difference is: The first bottle, with the big BIOTIN 5000mcg, you only take 1 pill a day, so they last longer. Both bottles are $6.00.

    I bit my nails until I was old enough to get fake nails, wore them 20+ years. Discovered Biotin, and now have LONG, STRONG, HEALTHY nails. But, do use cuticle oil..that helps the nail bed, which helps the nail grow.

    Also, my HAIR has grown From below mu chin, to the MIDDLE of my back (under bra strap) in 2 years. Seriously. My sisters freakd out after not seeing me for a year. They thought I had extensions. Nope, just long BEAUTIFUL healthy hair.

    Good Luck!!
    And, God Bless!
  • Lululucyloo
    Lululucyloo Posts: 64
    Biotin, 5000mcg, 1 tab a day. 6.00 at Walmart. Brand Spring Valley.

    Make sure you get the one in green bottle, yellow label that has Super Potency, Biotin in BIG letters, 5000mcg under that, and then under that it says skin/hair/nail support. 120 capsules.

    WHY?? because, spring valley also sells,l
    \

    SKIN/HAIR/NAILS in big letters, with Biotin 5000mcg below it.

    The difference is: The first bottle, with the big BIOTIN 5000mcg, you only take 1 pill a day, so they last longer. Both bottles are $6.00.

    I bit my nails until I was old enough to get fake nails, wore them 20+ years. Discovered Biotin, and now have LONG, STRONG, HEALTHY nails. But, do use cuticle oil..that helps the nail bed, which helps the nail grow.

    Also, my HAIR has grown From below mu chin, to the MIDDLE of my back (under bra strap) in 2 years. Seriously. My sisters freakd out after not seeing me for a year. They thought I had extensions. Nope, just long BEAUTIFUL healthy hair.

    Good Luck!!
    And, God Bless!
    Not sure what brands we have (I am in New Zealand) but will definitely pay attention to strengths etc
    We don't have walmart here so might look online
  • TheDreadedJynx
    TheDreadedJynx Posts: 49
    I bought some cocoa butter from tkbtrading a while ago, and it is amazing! I melt a tiny bit and apply it to my nails every day or so. They look and feel so much better now than they ever have.
  • reneelee
    reneelee Posts: 877 Member
    Eat jello.
  • clockworkkarly
    clockworkkarly Posts: 45
    hard as hoof. i'm a nail artist/nail polish addict, and this stuff works miracles. it's found at walmart for around 4 dollars. i've been using it since july of last year and have had maybe 2 broken nails TOPS since then. my nails don't bend/break/peel anymore. i strongly recommend getting some!
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