Nail Polish Strengtheners

Eat Jello! Or "Knox Gelatin for Drinking" also found in the Jello aisle. This really works, if taken often. J.

Hi F.,

I took my nails off over a year ago and found a product at Ulta. It is called Nail Tek II and it really worked well. For the first couple of months my nails were weak but now they are normal and I still use the product to keep my nails strong.

It is kind of pricey - I want to guess around $7 but was worth it.

Good luck.

L.

Hi F.
I am with ya on the economy thing, urrgg Anyhow Sally Hansen clear acrylic hard as nails has always worked for me lasts longer than anything i have ever tried. Good luck.

K.

Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails works great. You do have to reapply about 1-2 weeks, just like regular polish.
Good luck, I'm having a hell of a time keeping my nails, too.

I have never found a polish strengthener that works. However you could consider taking prenatal vitamins and/or gelatin tablets. This both help with your hair and nails considerably.

Hi F.-
Currently, I've been using Sally Habsen Natural Nail Growth Activator. Not a polish, but works a treat. Hope it helps- S.

Hi F.- Keep the F.! =D
You are like me, a retired fake nail wearer. lol I like them but cannot afford the $40 every 2 weeks. Pluuussss... the $3/ea 1-3 times per month "lunch-break-nail-repair stop" that I HAD to do because I could not type at work AT ALL without it! haha Whew!!!
Because of the chemicals used on out nail beds and for long wear it has shredded down your nail bed to nothing.
SUGGESTIONS:
buy a box of Knox gelatine in the packets- use direction on side of box for nails-since its made from mostly mammalian skin and bone this really gives them a boost.

Buy a "3 in 1" buffer board.(like the larger emery boards)Some stores do not label it but neauty reps would depending where you go.This is an entire soft rubber type- no coarse side.It is usually 3 tone in portions on the file in dark gray,medium gray & light gray/white.2 on one side & 1 on the other. Some give the help by labeling the different sections "1","2" & "3" as well. You buff each nail (has to be bare/no polish)on all 3 sections/steps & when you finish each nail- it will have pulled out the natural oils in your nail bed to create a glossy shiny smooth nail!-Helps strengthen your nail bed.

Use a orange stick and push your cuticles back. There is a gel you can use to soften them 1st or soak them in soapy water or lotion the nail beds.

SALLY HANSENS "HARD AS NAILS"- different varieties but are all good. The secret is to keep with what you are doing for weeks and then months- it will take some time to see the new improved nail growth results.

You may look into the Seacret Nail Product line. They usually have a kiosk at the malls. I got mine at Chandler mall but I know they have it at Superstition too. http://www.seacretspa.com/body-care/nail-kit.html

I think that if I was better about consistently using the products that they'd work. Either way it may be something to check out.

Hi F. -

Try using Nettles either in capsule or tincture form - internally. You can take the nettles and get relief from allergies and kidney problems - along with a slew of other things or you can just take it because you want naturally long, strong fingernails and healthy hair.

Blessings,

M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Herbalist

Hi F.,
My husband does nails and he said the reason why nail polishes chips off is because of the oil in your nails/hands. I hope this make sense?

F.,
I have very weak nails that rip which I conquer by keeping short. I work with my hands a lot & have a 7 month old baby so short works best for me. However, when I was trying to make them stronger (a very long time ago when such things seemed important), I read somewhere that exterior applications of anything will not likely make your nails stronger. Instead, you should try daily doses of Knox gelatin. I don't think I kept up with that for very long as it tastes nasty! But if you're serious I have heard from more than one source that it works. Daily vitamins (especially prenatals) are also supposed to help. Also, going without nail polish for as long as it takes for the "damaged" nails to grow out is really good to do once a year or so because nail polish prevents oxygen from getting to the nails and causes yellowing, splitting and peeling. I have to do this with my toes on occasion & it makes a big difference!
Good luck!

When I did nails, I always used a product called Nail Envy. I'm not sure what it retails for today, but O.P.I makes it. As far as peeling and chipping, wash hands before polishing. Take a cotton ball with a little alcohol and remove the oils on the nail bed before polishing. If you are using color. I would also recommend the O.P.I. line. It was always the best for natural nails.
Just be patient with the nails. They need extra care after removing artificial nails. They will get healthy again! Good Luck!

Eat more apples and gelatin. Or any fruit that has a lot of pectin in it. That will help in the long run. Try soaking your nails once a week in some warm olive oil. Massage the cuticles. I put a drop or two of Tea Tree oil or lavender in the oil myself. I've also heard that you can soak the nails in a solutin of unflavered gelatin and warm water. But I find eating it is better for me. Also, when cleaning, always use gloves. Too much soaking in water causes your nails to become brittle. I hope that helps a bit.

I'm totally stuck on Sally Hansen's 'Natural Shine
Instant Nail Finish'.(http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=44) It's not your typical polish, it's really thin, like water almost and dries really fast (important with kids around, right?). I usually use 3 coats but it's not a problem applying them becasue by the time you paint nail two, nail one is already dry. I find that if I keep my nails covered, it helps prevent the cracking/peeling that can happen when they're not covered and this polish is perfect for that. And the best thing (besides the quick dry time) is there's NO chipping! It wears off, yes, but it doesn't chip like normal polishes. Even with my hands in dishwater, I can't get it to chip. I re-polish mine about once a week, just to keep them looking shiny. Overall, a great product.

I use a brush on gel that you get at walgreens, and it stays on just like acrylic!

The brand is KISS, $2.99

I loved Nailtiques. However, I touched up my nails, especially my edges, every night. They have different bottles for different reasons. I really liked the nail strengthener, and didn't care for their base coat/primer. You do have to put it on very lightly, or it can bubble and peel (similar to what the Chanel polishes did). So I would put it on, do something like read until they dried, then reapply. Of course, you'd want to start fresh every week. But I found the nightly maintenance was worth the 5 minutes I spent doing it.

And I agree about the oil. You can wipe your nails w/ a little alcohol, letting it dry up, before applying. Also, having too much heat can do it.

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This may be a little late, but...they used to have a "gel" kit at walmart (I think it was made by Kiss) that was pretty fool-proof. It had two different nail-polish-like bottles that you painted on that made a pretty thick over-coat, kinda like acrylics but easier to do so you don't have to have them "done". I think it came with nail tips, but you could use it without them too. But, since it is kinda like acrylic nails, you might not want to use it unless your nails have grown out from the damage (you know, how they get paper-thin) that taking off the acrylics may have caused. It's by no means a way of really strengthening your real nails, but if you liked acrylics, gels may work for you. Good luck!