Fingernails...

[Dakota]

What do you ladies use to keep your nails strong and hard?

I stopped getting Acrylic nails because... and this is gross... I would often get separation between my real nail and the Acrylic nail and my nails would look filthy and I suspected that I may have had a fungus. That issue cleared itself up when I removed the Acrylic, buffed my nails out real well and used a fungus killer. Now, my nails look wonderful and I want to keep them that way. Now, I am more incline to use gloves because I don’t have the false sense of security I had with Acrylic nails.

Today I was browsing CVS and saw a gel kit with the dryer and polish and the gel strips. I was curious if this is something others have used and if they liked it? My nails seem thin but they seem to be holding up to normal wear and tear. I would like to make them as strong as I can because I am really not wanting to fall back into the old habit and pattern of getting Acrylic nails again… So suggestions anyone???

 

[mamatutu]

What do you ladies use to keep your nails strong and hard?

I stopped getting Acrylic nails because... and this is gross... I would often get separation between my real nail and the Acrylic nail and my nails would look filthy and I suspected that I may have had a fungus. That issue cleared itself up when I removed the Acrylic, buffed my nails out real well and used a fungus killer. Now, my nails look wonderful and I want to keep them that way. Now, I am more incline to use gloves because I don’t have the false sense of security I had with Acrylic nails.

Today I was browsing CVS and saw a gel kit with the dryer and polish and the gel strips. I was curious if this is something others have used and if they liked it? My nails seem thin but they seem to be holding up to normal wear and tear. I would like to make them as strong as I can because I am really not wanting to fall back into the old habit and pattern of getting Acrylic nails again… So suggestions anyone???

Biotin once a day, at least 5000 mcg. And, I really like the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Line. I love the Chocco-Latte #240.

 

[ZARA]

I have tried everything on the market over the years and I have come to the conclusion that strong thick fingers nails is just not in my genetic code.

The thing with nails, is that there isn't any topical application you can use to make them grow stronger. It starts within your body at creation, inside your nails behind the cuticle. So you would need to take vitamin supplements to ensure that your body has the proper nutrition/vitamins/minerals to grow nails but if your body is coded for thin nails...like mine...you are screwed.

Mama is correct that biotin can help.

I put acrylic on my nails (I do my own) to keep them long and purddy. They grow just fine, just not strong.

If you do go back to acrylic:
1. Bleach your nails once every 2-3 days and use a nail brush. This prevents fungus growth due to separation.

2. If you have separation within 5 days of having your nails done- find out what product the nail tech is using and try a different kind. EZFlow is one of the worse products and is notorious for separation the day of having the nails done. I detest EZFlow. Creative Nail Design (CND) is one of the best on the market and my personal favorite.

I have no opinion on gel nails other than it is a pain in the butt and I don't use it because of that reason...lol.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Prenatal vitamins are good for the body. I take one every day. Also, I have a Shellac nail system at home that I use pretty frequently and it helps my nails grow and stay strong.

 

[Bann]

I don't do the fake nails at all. I think they ruin your nails/nail beds in the long run.My mom used to drink Knox gelatin mixed in water back in the day & swore by it. I don't have a problem with my nails, but I think it's because I keep them "sport length" or a little longer.

I like a natural look and I'm not really a fan of the long nails that seem to be popular.
I am way too busy all the time to maintain long nails or worry about nail polish getting messed up, etc.

 

[withrespect]

Biotin once a day, at least 5000 mcg. And, I really like the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Line. I love the Chocco-Latte #240.

Unless you have psoriasis... When I take biotin in pill form, my psoriasis goes bananas.

My nails are paper thin as well.. I find that Shellac (sp?) nail polish, which has the gel-like properties) helps to keep my nails strong. I am just too lazy to paint my nails.

 

[Dakota]

EZFlow is one of the worse products and is notorious for separation the day of having the nails done. I detest EZFlow. Creative Nail Design (CND) is one of the best on the market and my personal favorite.

that is exactly what I am seeing them use.. thanks for the 411 on that.

Prenatal vitamins are good for the body. I take one every day. Also, I have a Shellac nail system at home that I use pretty frequently and it helps my nails grow and stay strong.

Which system did you go with?

I don't do the fake nails at all. I think they ruin your nails/nail beds in the long run.My mom used to drink Knox gelatin mixed in water back in the day & swore by it. I don't have a problem with my nails, but I think it's because I keep them "sport length" or a little longer.

I like a natural look and I'm not really a fan of the long nails that seem to be popular.
I am way too busy all the time to maintain long nails or worry about nail polish getting messed up, etc.

I am the same way with my length which is why I'm confident I can do something on my own instead of paying a bunch of money to continue to get my nails done at the shop... plus shops can be kinda buttholes about those people like us who have the desire to keep them just at or over the tip of the finger saying "oh but it will look much nicer... longer"

For the past month, I have been using Sally's Hard as Nails, which is something I apply every other day because my natural nails are so thin.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Which system did you go with?

I bought mine from Ulta a while ago but Target recently started carrying it (only one they have). I really like it but I wish the UV bulb was a bit stronger. I want to say I paid $50 for the kit which was on sale and originally around $75. If you are interested in one, spend a little bit more on a better quality product.

 

[KDENISE977]

What do you ladies use to keep your nails strong and hard?

I stopped getting Acrylic nails because... and this is gross... I would often get separation between my real nail and the Acrylic nail and my nails would look filthy and I suspected that I may have had a fungus. That issue cleared itself up when I removed the Acrylic, buffed my nails out real well and used a fungus killer. Now, my nails look wonderful and I want to keep them that way. Now, I am more incline to use gloves because I don’t have the false sense of security I had with Acrylic nails.

Today I was browsing CVS and saw a gel kit with the dryer and polish and the gel strips. I was curious if this is something others have used and if they liked it? My nails seem thin but they seem to be holding up to normal wear and tear. I would like to make them as strong as I can because I am really not wanting to fall back into the old habit and pattern of getting Acrylic nails again… So suggestions anyone???

Just don't go back to the acrylic nails , I had them for years and they destroy your nail bed and are SO unhygenic. I had them until I was pregnant 2 years ago and some mentioned to me that I should look it up on the internet how much fungus they carry... I will never go back, I take biotin(skin, hair and nails supplement) and use the Sally Hansen(sp) all in one and mine are great now !! They used to be very thin and brittle.

 

[Sweet 16]

I used to use Nutra-nail back in the day. It is a topical application and my roommates and I swore by it. Don't know if they still make it though. Also, I used to take gelatin capsules. Prenatal vitamins work well too.

I would recommend just going and getting a manicure every so often so that they are trimmed properly and buffed, which stimulates blood circulation and helps them strengthen and grow.

 

[mv_princess]

I have to use gel nails, my nail beds are too oily to hold nail polish.... sad I knonw

 

[Roman]

I take Biotin 5000 mcg every day. It really works, especially with hair. When I first started taking it, I had insomnia for about a week. I believe the Biotin was directly related to that. I also notice that I need my eyebrows & lip waxed more often, but I still take it. I got my Biotin at Wal-Mart, and it's pretty cheap too.

 

[lucky_bee]

For the past month, I have been using Sally's Hard as Nails, which is something I apply every other day because my natural nails are so thin.

This is what I've always used when I don't have money for a consistant gel manicure! I love this stuff. If I could afford to get my nails done every other week, I'd be on the gel manis. And if I had patience and time to do it myself, I'd buy a kit right now, slapping on a clear coat every couple of days is about all I got time for. Still keeps my nails looking fresh, at least fresher than completely bare

 

[WVGIRL]

Nail Help

Have you ever heard of Hoof Maker? It's in the pet section. Rub it on your nails a couple times a week. My nails never bend or flake. It's the same stuff as the nail hardner in the nail isle just cost about half.

 

[somdnanny1]

I don't use regular hand soap. I find when I do, my nails break and split and get really soft and that my hands crack and aren't as soft. The soap that I use is made of essential oils its called Thieves Foaming Hand Soap made by Young Living Essential Oils. Lavender Foaming Hand Soap | Young Living Essential Oils

 

[ms_mj]

OPI Nail Envy is the best product I have ever used to make nails strong. It is a little pricey but well worth the money. Use two coats (it is clear) once every couple weeks.

 

[Dakota]

OPI Nail Envy is the best product I have ever used to make nails strong. It is a little pricey but well worth the money. Use two coats (it is clear) once every couple weeks.

I have several bottles of this polish in a various colors but have been using the Sally's as a top coat.

I have a nail glue pen and have been putting a dab on the backs of my nails just to make them a little stronger... so far... so good!

I haven't had my nails done in months and actually had to cut back a good bit this past weekend but they still seem so natuarally soft. I will start back on Biotin this weekend. Like somebody mentioned, it keeps me awake a little which is hard to deal with during the work week.

WVGIRL, I will look for hoof maker also... I will try anything, once.

 

[sockgirl77]

Nothing. I do absolutely nothing to my nails except file them down when they start to look ghetto. No polish, no gel, no acrylic, no miracle grow...nothing.

 

[ArkRescue]

Unless you have psoriasis... When I take biotin in pill form, my psoriasis goes bananas.

My nails are paper thin as well.. I find that Shellac (sp?) nail polish, which has the gel-like properties) helps to keep my nails strong. I am just too lazy to paint my nails.

My psoriasis has gone nuts the past 18 months and I have no clue why. I have not been taking anything new.

I ended up with ruined nails after trying the acrylic ones at the nail salon for about 6 weeks. I am still waiting on my nails to grow back in with new nail surface all over. I too will be looking for something and may go with the gel stuff talked about in this other thread.

 

[Roman]

I have several bottles of this polish in a various colors but have been using the Sally's as a top coat.

I have a nail glue pen and have been putting a dab on the backs of my nails just to make them a little stronger... so far... so good!

I haven't had my nails done in months and actually had to cut back a good bit this past weekend but they still seem so natuarally soft. I will start back on Biotin this weekend. Like somebody mentioned, it keeps me awake a little which is hard to deal with during the work week.

WVGIRL, I will look for hoof maker also... I will try anything, once.

After a week of taking the Biotin, I slept better. I guess your body has to adjust to it. I take the large dose every day now, with no problem. Plus, I started taking it in the morning. I usually take all my Vitamins at bedtime, because when you are at rest, your metabolism is slower, and you absorb more. Biotin is a B Vitamin, and B Vitamins are known for energy.