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Posted 11/14/2013 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
This might sound a little trivial, but im wondering if anyone is in the same boat...

Recently I have started to notice a few things - one is that my fingertips have a prune like appearance, a bit like they have been submerged in water for a long time....but this is all day long! Its only just started - could this be the damp weather? (in UK)

Also - does anyone else's nails split and peel a lot? My half moons are only evident on my thumbs and big toes and seem to have disappeared on all other digits - could this show protein deficiency? I say this because even though I eat lots of meat / nuts etc my bloods showed low protein, which means I don't absorb it properly - this means I am on a regiment of whey protein smoothies to help.

Wondered what everyone else's nails and fingers were like...my hair is also brittle and thin :o)
Posted 11/14/2013 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wackers my nails have always been brittle. I file them and it's like powder. So I am not sure if it's related or not. I use a Nail Revitalizer so I can have them longer. Omega's should help with skin, nails and hair. Just make sure you take a good quality, if you aren't already on them and you can take more then what it says.
Medications could cause a problem also. As we all know what they list as side effects isn't everything that can show up.
Posted 11/14/2013 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
My nails split and peel a lot, also. I've started wearing rubber gloves when I do the dishes, and making sure I wear gardening gloves when I work outside.

I also started using Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle creme (not sure if you can find it in stores in the UK--but I'm sure you could order online). I put a little dab on each nail at night, and it seems to be helping.

I've also heard plain ol' beeswax helps brittle nails. Just the other day I read a tip that said the person used lip balm to prevent brittle nails. I think even making sure hand lotion goes on the nail area would help, at least somewhat. Petroleum jelly on your nails is another idea.

And, of course, drink lots of water to stay well hydrated. :)

Good luck!!
Posted 11/14/2013 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Take high doses of biotin and keratin. It will help you get stronger nails.
Posted 11/14/2013 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have had this problem but mostly because I don't wear gloves to protect my nails when doing dishes, cleaning, gardening, etc.  Here is a link that might help you.

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/135443-what-are-causes-splitting-peeling-nails/

 

Also, I always have polish on my nails.  Once I'm done polishing them I use a product called Nail Tech II and it makes my nails hard as a rock.  When I use this, they do not peel, split, or break.  It is clear so if you don't like color on your nails you still could use this.

Sherrine 

Posted 11/15/2013 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Sherri where do you get nail tech II? Sounds like good stuff. I am like you I rarely use gloves and my nails are trying to recover from this summer when I put fake nails on for over a month.
Posted 11/15/2013 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Many of the beauty supply businesses carry this. Also, you could try places that give manicures. They usually will sell you products. One bottle lasts a very long time.

Amazon sells it, too. I spelled it wrong, by the way. It's Nail Tek ll.

Sherrine
Posted 11/20/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I'm late to the party here, but since I'm a licensed and practicing nail technician I thought I would chime in!

First and most important for saving money - there is no single vitamin or supplement that you can take that will give you healthier nails. Only general good nutrition will, and this information comes from one of the foremost scientists in the nail industry. If you do have some kind of deficiency, it could definitely show in your nails - I've told people to go to the doctor based on what I've seen. Just last Friday I checked out a client based on her nails and turned out she had a high fever! She's in her 80's and used to general aches and pains, so she hadn't even realized something was going on lol.

Cuticle Oil is one of the best things you can do at the source of the problem - primarily because it keeps the nail evenly hydrated throughout the day so the nail doesn't flex as much when it gets wet and then dries out. Two times a day is great, but even one will do if it's what you can manage. The reason this helps is that your nails are made up of about 100 layers of dead nail cells, and basically when you get your nails wet they expand (sort of like a sponge), and then as they dry the compress again. I've seen this in a 3-D magnified course I took, crazy stuff!

The next most important thing would be to always shorten/shape the nails with a good file, not clippers. I think everyone should do this, but it's especially important for people with splitting or peeling nails. The clippers are just too harsh and can exasperate the problem.

Keeping the nails covered with polish as mentioned previously can sometimes help - though since it just covers the top it won't always stop peeling unless the peeling is in just the top-most layers. It definitely doesn't hurt to try it out and the product mentioned is a good one as far as I know, though I've never used it.
Posted 11/20/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Trix007: Great info!

Is there a particular type or brand of cuticle oil that is recommended?
Posted 11/20/2013 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! Cuccio is an awesome brand - their cuticle removal cream is awesome as well. You can buy them on Amazon and probably other places online. OPI, Creative (CND), Hand and Nail Harmony are decent brands from what I've heard, but I've never used any of them.

I would avoid cheap drug store brands and stick with oil vs. cuticle cream (they serve a different purpose). Though using cuticle cream AND cuticle oil is great if you have really really dry hands. Most of my clients are ok with just cuticle oil.
Posted 11/20/2013 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
I should add, since I said use a "good" file, crystal files are really wonderful for filing fragile nails. If you dampen them when you file they work even better. Again, I would stick with name brands, not drug store cheapies.
Posted 11/20/2013 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have always had thin and peeling nails up until a month ago. I started taking a prescription antifungal (nyastatin, specifically) as part of my fibro treatment. I had no idea that I even had a fungus issue as they weren't discolored or anything, just peeling. Totally worked!

And like the nail tech said above, keep 'em short! You can get away with any color when they're short and they are quite chic at this length. :)
Posted 11/20/2013 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Will check on those products, Trix 007. Thank you! :)
Posted 11/20/2013 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
You're welcome!

Interesting about the fungal issue - I've referred a bunch of unhappy new clients to their doctor, but usually it's on the toes! I did find out last year that we all have fungus on our skin - all over apparently! I've had little bumps on my jawline for 20 years that I thought were acne, then I put organic coconut oil on my face and they went away overnight! Turned out it was an irritation caused by fungus. Who knew?
Posted 11/20/2013 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
ok - what great advice and even from a nail technician! wow thanks

I have bought a nail hardener product as recommended by someone at work (can't remember the name)il find it later

I have also started rubbing olive oil into my cuticles - is this a good thing to do? But always have used clippers in the past so thin I will get filing now - I always keep fairly short, as they break anyway when they get to certain length.

Have tried biotin in past for about 4 months, didnt notice any difference, maybe I wasn't using the right one
Posted 11/20/2013 10:21 AM (GMT 0)
Mavala Scientifique is the name of the product :o)
Posted 11/20/2013 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I believe that the molecule size of olive oil is too large… I love it on my hands though! The one I use has Sunflower and Rose oils in it.
Posted 11/21/2013 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
ok - thats good to know. Il try those oils...have you heard of the brand above? is it any good?
Posted 11/23/2013 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know that specific brand, but if it works for you then I'd say keep it. I don't use or sell nail hardeners/strengtheners because they are mostly hype. Nothing they do can structurally change or improve the nail plate, since it is just a bunch of dead cells. This has been proven, but the facts are largely ignored by people who want your money.

The true benefit of these products is that you are putting them on, and they can provide extra strength and benefit, but only while you have it on. So just be aware that there's no end it sight, if you want stronger nails then you need to avoid damage (bad nail techs/practices) and continue applying the strengthening products pretty much forever.

I have a lot of clients who wear gel polish (NOT CND's Shellac!) and after a couple months of the practices I use, their nails are gorgeous and very healthy. You literally can't look at their nails and tell that they have naturally weak nails, and they can actually wear them pretty long. However, if they have me remove the product, their nails will look great for a day or 5, but unprotected, they will start to break if not worn short.

Even with gel polish, you have to be careful and have a nail tech who knows what they're doing, or they can really make matters much worse. I don't use acetone to remove it either, as repeated exposure can cause nails to become more brittle.
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