Thread: Topical fingernail strengthening products -?

I have brittle nails that constantly split and peel at the ends, especially in winter. I thought I'd try one of these products. First of all, selection was bewildering. 3-4 brands, and each brand had several paint-on nail strengthener or "growth-promoting" products, as many as half a dozen products per brand. Very hard to tell how they were different from each other, if they really were at all. So I just tried something. Sally Hansen "Miracle Cure" for nails, I think it is. It seems pretty useless. Looks like clear nail polish, okay. Noticed within 24 hours it was chipping on the ends of my nails. It says on the label to replace it every other day. By 48 hours (ie, when it was time to "replace" it), it was chipped off virtually all my nail ends and two nails had new splits. Why bother?,m::

So tell me my Bhuzzy friends, is there any topical nail treatment you've tried and been happy with? I should have asked you first!

Thanks!
Rosette

I've had pretty good luck with the Nailtiques products. You can buy it at nail salons and some drug stores. Here's a link to their web site so you can read up a little:

nailtiques - nothing else even comes close

I don't know of anything topical, but taking vitamin E capsules has done wonders for my nails. They're super tough and grow like crazy and if I lapse in taking it, I notice that they break more often.

I've noticed that by adding three tablespoons of ground flax seed to my cereal (supposedly good for hot flashes)that my nails are a lot better. I do make sure I moisturize them every day also. I have heard that almond oil is very good but haven't tried it yet. I have tried various nail strengthener products in the past but they made my nails more brittle.

For topical treatments, applying a layer of oil (vegetable, vitamin E, jojoba, etc.) helps seal moisture and repair nails.
When we gave manicures to those with brittle nails, we skipped the water soak and soaked clients' nails right in the oil.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm thinking an oil treatment (which could include at least one of those Nailtiques products) may be the thing to try. My nails do grow in summer but I work in a medical office (lots of handwashing) and live in northern New England (dry, cold winters). My nails go to pieces every winter. It's no accident that it was mid-February when I got so annoyed about it I wanted to do something.
Thanks everyone!
Rosette

Originally Posted by LeylaFahada

I don't know of anything topical, but taking vitamin E capsules has done wonders for my nails. They're super tough and grow like crazy and if I lapse in taking it, I notice that they break more often.

You can also apply vitamin E directly to your nails and cuticles. If you can't find it in liquid form, get the gel capsules and slice them open. Then just squeeze out the liquid onto your nails.

You'll know it's working when you can slice open the capsules with your nails. ..g.:

I just tried Castor oil, and my nails already feel better, it is high in Vitamin E.

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-ho...icle23782.html

File in one direction only...do not saw.

Can you wear gloves in the medical office? Or do you have to wash anyway? Can you use the hand sanitizer instead?

I like to squeeze about 3/4 inch of Aveeno lotion (the green label) into a small glass bowl and microwave it until it is warm (stir thoroughly and test carefully though before you stick fingers into it) and soak my nails and cuticles about once a week -- just three to five minutes. Push the cuticles back and massage the lotion in. When I'm good about this my nails, hands and cuticles all look and feel great. I use the leftover lotion on my feet and put on cotton socks.

I've been taking Vitamin E 400 mgs my whole adult life and my nails are pretty thick. In the winter time I use a topical oil on my nails but you can also use vegetable or olive oil, if you can stand the smell. Sally Hansen is a quick fix but it actually dries the nails out in the long run. I always use Seche Vitae topcoat and it is a little heavier than a regular topcoat plus it has some nth degree of oil in it.