making your nails strong

[KittyT]

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies!

Someone complimented me on my nails yesterday. This is the first time I've ever received a compliment on my natural nails. It was quite pleasing. I just wish they'd hurry up and grow out longer!

 

[LelaViavonie]

I recently have started taking vitimans again and something for hair, nails and skin and so far.. they have been growing in really strong

That and giving myself a manicure every 2 weeks has helped alot!

 

[Laura Chase]

I just bought Sally Hansen - Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener (I know, silly name) and it has made my nails virtually un-bendable. I think it works!

 

[KittyT]

I just bought Sally Hansen - Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener (I know, silly name) and it has made my nails virtually un-bendable. I think it works!

Do you know if it has formaldehyde in it? I know some products that harden your nails also dry them out, which can make them more susceptible to breakage.

 

[Laura Chase]

Do you know if it has formaldehyde in it? I know some products that harden your nails also dry them out, which can make them more susceptible to breakage.

Oh, that doesn't sound good. I noticed one of the other nail hardeners contained that, this one. Here is the ingredient list for the above mentioned Sally Hansen hardener. It doesn't seem to contain formaldehyde, right?

Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Alcohol Denat., Nitrocellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Triphenyl Phospate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Camphor, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Etocrylene, Diamond Powder, Dimetichonol, Ethyl Cyanoacrylate, CI 60725.

 

[Cricket]

I have a real nasty habit of biting my cuticles. I saw an earlier post about a cuticle pen. Is that the best treatment to restore damaged cuticles? My nails are overall strong thanks to hydration and diet, but my cuticles are a war zone.

 

[Inky]

I have a real nasty habit of biting my cuticles. I saw an earlier post about a cuticle pen. Is that the best treatment to restore damaged cuticles? My nails are overall strong thanks to hydration and diet, but my cuticles are a war zone.

Hi Cricket, I posted about the cuticle pen and I really believe keeping your cuticles soft and supple really helps with nail growth. I use the pen because it's handy (and recently found that Sally Hansen has one that is considerably cheaper than the Sephora pen, so I'm going to get one when I run out), but you can use olive oil, jojoba oil, monoi oil, anything that does the trick. The key is to be consistent in using it at least daily, that's why I like to keep one by my keyboard - so when I wait for the computer to do something, or I am on the phone, I multi task and use the cuticle pen.

 

[Lillemor]

I believe the 3 fish capsules I take a day has begun to make a big difference in the growth and health of my nails. I'm a very active homemaker, yet since I began to take the capsules, I've not broken a nail. Actually, they grow too fast and I don't want long nails around the boys, no more than a couple of mm. long.

The most annoying thing is that I can't find a toe and finger nail clipper that's strong enough to cut through my toe nails so that's laborous each time. I'm no good with nail scissors.

In periods where I've forgot to cut my nails, they don't break when they reach a certain point like they used to and they don't bend either.

 

[KittyT]

Cricket, Pro-Strong also makes a great cuticle moisturizer.

 

[Lareesie Ladavi]

I believe the 3 fish capsules I take a day has begun to make a big difference in the growth and health of my nails. I'm a very active homemaker, yet since I began to take the capsules, I've not broken a nail. Actually, they grow too fast and I don't want long nails around the boys, no more than a couple of mm. long.

The most annoying thing is that I can't find a toe and finger nail clipper that's strong enough to cut through my toe nails so that's laborous each time. I'm no good with nail scissors.

In periods where I've forgot to cut my nails, they don't break when they reach a certain point like they used to and they don't bend either.

Fish oil...you say... they are good for your heart (omega 3s right?). I've been wanting to use fish oil for my heart, considering my family history.
Do you think it's good for the hair too?...considering you've seen the change in your nails.
Have you been swallowing them or just rubbing them into your nails?

 

[Laura Chase]

Two good articles from The (always amazing) Beauty Brains:

Five Ways To Ruin Your Finger Nails
Four Easy Tips For Longer, Stonger Nails

 

[jayem]

This thread popped up at the perfect time for me. I've had pretty long, strong nails for a while and then winter came. Because of my job, I am frequently washing my hands and my nails became virtually dead. I filed them down to the nub and I'm trying to regrow them stronger. I take my fair share of vitamins, and I eat plenty of fish (esp. salmon when I can afford it!). I bought the Nailtiques (sp?) so, I'm trying that out. Before the winter, my nails were strong due to regular buffing, trimming, and moisturizing. Unfortunately, I have ugly anemia nails, so I must be sure to take extra care of them in order to look presentable. I know it helps in my case, but maybe adding some extra iron to your diet? Or an iron pill everyday? I notice when I take my iron my complexion, hair, and nails seem to glow.

 

[Ms. McGraw]

I have this conversation fairly often, I'm a nail tech by night. When my clients make the switch from artificial or just want stronger nails, I recommend Forte Horsetail Nail Strengthener by Cuccio. Works really well and it's formaldehyde and toluene free. I swear by it.

 

[Lillemor]

Fish oil...you say... they are good for your heart (omega 3s right?). I've been wanting to use fish oil for my heart, considering my family history.
Do you think it's good for the hair too?...considering you've seen the change in your nails.
Have you been swallowing them or just rubbing them into your nails?

Swallow with a large glass of water with each main meal. I KNOW they've made a difference to my hair and skin as well. It was a lady with similarly badly behaved skin who told me to try the omega3 fish capsules. I've also read several places that it's good for your hair.

 

[Miss 1929]

oil of myrrh

is my absolute favorite thing for cuticle issues. It not only moisturizes them, but they shrink back and closer to the nail, and look and feel smooth.

It's very strong so only a little is needed. You can also mix it into other oils if you like, especially as it is rather fragrant and can stain clothing.

I make my own scrubby cuticle remover by mixing olive oil, myrrh, and fructose crystals together. Scrub a bit with it and them rinse off with warm water. Do not use more than once a week.

I am a Nailtiques addict too, as I play the piano and there is something about whacking your fingers on a hard ivory surface for hours at a time that the nails don't like...

And folic acid makes them grow both faster and stronger, plus Jello is my friend.

 

[LelaViavonie]

Holy Smokes.. I just realized something...
I have been taking my suplements for about a month or two now and I broke to nails about 3 days ago.. and I file my nails regularly at my desk and I just realized... My nails that I broke are growing back like weeds! YES! this is great! Wooohooo... im just so excited! Lets just hope they dnt break again

 

[sian kisses]

This is such a good thread thank you ladies. i think i am going to try the jelly, this was a super useful snack when i was dieting, and to think of it my nails and hair were better then too.
awesome now to get to the shops.
x

 

[Cricket]

Inky and KittyT,
Thanks for the suggestions. I have an abundance of olive oil because I cook with it a lot. I am going to give it try over the next few days.
It is such a horrible habit, and my hands show it. I have been doing it since I was a small child. That should be one of my resolutions: stop biting the nails!!!

 

[Emer]

This was a great topic to start! I just had my acryllics removed and I'm trying to get my nails to beef up! I am hoping once they get past the point where the fake nails were they will be better, but I'm definitely going to try some of the fish oil (good for you either way) and I might check out either the Sally nail hardener or the Nailtiques (they have a kit for nails post-acryllics). Again, bravo for the great thread! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[zetwal]

I'm curious. For those of you who have had success with ingesting jello - how long do you think it would it take to see results?

My nails are really good. Although I'm a man I've actually had people comment on how great they look. I don't know if there's any connection, but I've taken FISOL daily for a long time.

If you do want to take fish oil be sure to go with something with an enteric coating so that you don't "taste" it in your system. FISOL is such a product.