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May 18, 2008, 7:04 pm
Flag as Inappropriate skatss  

My nails are getting worse and worse. They tear and split terribly easily. I already keep them short but they still tear and I have hangnails on a few fingers. I'm forever using an emery board to stop them from catching and ripping more.

I tried a nail polish that said it strengthens nails but it didn't work.

Does anyone have anything that they know will help weak nails?

I also used to try nail strengtheners they didn't work for me either. What works for me is just using nail polish remover with vitamins in it, it's convenient for me because I change my nail polish almost everyday. Try it :) you can get the cheap target brand which is what I have, works very good. My nails are very strong now.

I use a product called Delore nail oil. They sell it at beauty supply stores and some drug stores or other mass merchandisers (I've got about 5 bottles I got on markdown cheap so I haven't looked lately). It works really well on ragged cuticles, weak nails and other issues.

I also use a clear polish with vitamins/strengtheners from Sally Hansen on a regular basis, instead of regular polish. Polish does help protect the nail though.

I have yet to find a nail strengthener that works for me. I have the same issue as you skatss with my nails.

I have not tried the oils as mentioned above but I have used the clear polish with vitamins several of them but I swear they all seem to peel off my nails no matter how thick or thin I put it on.

You may want to investigate why your nails are so weak. Usually there is some sort of underlying pathology such as a vitamin deficiency, etc. The nail strengthener that I have found to work well for me is Sally Hansen's Nail Hardener. This is one of the most reasonable ones on the market and I found it very helpful. I also began taking a good multi-vitamin/mineral tab to supplement my diet.

I have heard nail strength correlates to your diet and the amount of Vitamins that you intake. If you want to grow stronger, healthier nails, be sure that your diet is rich in Vitamins A, B-Complex, C, D, E and iron, calcium, zinc, sulfur, and the essential fatty acids.

For Vitamin A, look for fruits that are yellow and orange or veggies that are dark green.

For Vitamin C, chop up some green and red peppers.

For Vitamin D, look to your dairy products.

For Vitamin E, a supplement is your best option.

For zinc, options include kidney beans, rice, chicken or cheese.

Thank you MSeal I was not aware of that, though it makes a lot of sense.

No problem.

Although it is an important mineral within our bodies it is important to be sure that one does not ingest an unhealthy amount of zinc. It is found in many foods such as broccoli, beans and fruit. Be sure to talk to your health professional, because it surely can benefit nail health, as well as vitamin E supplements.

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas. I will try everything and will talk to my doctor to see if I can safely take a multivitamin.

I still have very soft nails and ever so often they will break, but I prefer to leave them be because when I use the nail strenghtener they cause my nails to turn yellow.

I agree that you really should be looking at the cause of the breakage rather than treating it as a symptom. Something is amiss with your diet, some nutrient that you need is lacking. Try and figure that out first.

I have a problem with my nails peeling. I guess my diet must be lacking in some of the key vitamins and minerals so I'll be working on that. I've found that keeping them painted with polish helps....at least temporarily.