I Have Horribly Weak Nails

I had nails that would break in the middle of my nail bed because i knocked them or split down the middle. I used knox jello, you can get the plan packages around the jello section, each packet is enough for one drink. Mix it in a cup of tea, it's not great, but it really does work. I know some people use it multiple times a day at first, but I never did. Good luck (oh prenatal vitamins also helped).

Are you iron poor?
When my iron levels are low, my nails show it. Also, the body needs vitamin C to absorb iron, so it could also be a lack of that.
My nails don't like any sort of polish on them...they need to breathe!
If you are using it too much or too often, it could be giving you the opposite effect you are looking for.
Good luck!
lb

Nailtiques (spelling??). You can buy it at Beauty Brands!!!

I generally have really strong nails but noticed I was breaking them left and right at the start of winter. I started using Curel hand and cuticle lotion and have had hardly any breakage since. Good luck!
P.S. I've also been using their heel lotion and my heels are very smooth.

Biotin works great for hair and nails. I take 2/day and use a nail strengthener (cheap store brand) and my nails have gone from brittle and short to longer and much stronger..good luck!

My best friend's mom would put clear iodine under the nail where it touches the skin and at the base of the nail. I used to be a softball pitcher and would break/tear my nails all the time. She suggested the iodine and it worked. I never had a problem after that. Just be sure you don't use red iodine.

I've tried Nail Envy by OPI and it works great. Beauty Brands carries OPI and they have different formulas for different nails.

You can take a vitamin supplement for hair and nails, go to your local drugstore or somewhere like walmart to find it, it should definitely help!

I had this same issue and I started to use OPI. It looks like snot in the bottle, but once you put it on, it dries clear and has a nice shine to it. My nails are now so hard that I can barely bite them off. I know, you are not suppose to bite your nails ;) But it really worked for me. I used it for about a year or so and have not really had any issues since then. It can be a little on the costly side, but it lasts quite a while. I got mine from J. C. Penney, but I know you can also get it from Sally's or you use to be able to.

As far as which one from OPI, all I can remember is it has a black top, clear bottle, looks like snot and the writing was in green unless they have changed the looks of the bottles. But check it out, it worked great for me and I was told about it from a friend who had the same issue and it also helped her.

Good luck!

I would take Sue's advice and ask your doctor about it. It's probably nothing big to worry about, could be a thyroid issue or something as easy as needing a calcium supplement. I know when I don't take a calcium supplement my nails all break off all the time, and if my nails aren't getting what they need I doubt my bones are. Everyone's different tho - that's why it's best to ask your doc about it.

you also might want to talk to your doctor about this. My nails weakened as my thryroid went out of whack. I can tell by the health of my nails....as to what's going on with my thyroid now.

Just a thought.

I didn't read the other answers...because I can't figure out how to unless I answer first! But when I was a teen we all took gelatin pills. I'm pretty sure you can still get them - and I remember them working! Try Walgreens or CVS. Oh, and you could also make sure to eat more protein.

I've had horribly weak nails all my life. Using prenatal vitamins certainly helps. One bit of advice: get a Rx from your doctor and get them filled at any pharmacy with a $4 program. Be careful as some will charge you the generic copay your insurance requires if you present an insurance card which is often higher than the $4.

My Mom used to use a product she got at a department store with a name similar to "Hard as Hooves". It was actually a conditioner for horses hooves that was an incredible conditioner and made nails stronger.

You can always call a Dermatologist and ask what they recommend as well as nails are part of the skin organ.

Something with my prenatal vitamins made my nails so strong - maybe it was the extra folic acid!

I use Sally hanson's nail hardener. It works great!! Also try a one a day vitamin, and eat some celery. You could also try some nail polish that has some vitamin e in it. Good luck. Hope this helps!!

So do I and I tried everything and then somebody clued me in on how to file nails, I had been doing something wrong which caused them to split and peel. Now I know I have to drag the file from the corners in to the middle -- not saw back and forth -- keeps them from splitting in layers if you know what I mean, even without strengthener on them.

Biotin - it's a vitamin/supplement. I used to have an awful problem with my nails peeling. Then I started taking Biotin and my nails are much stronger and no longer peel. In fact, when I get a manicure the manicurist always asks if I eat a lot of dairy because my "nails are so strong."