I have badly damaged my nails after using acrylic nails for years. This last year I have been doing it myself and the result is "terrible". My right hand looks really bad. I feed so ashamed. I know I can't hide it by putting on more artificial nails.
Is there any way I can hide the mess? What is the best treatment for me? I do not have any diseases in or on my nails. I have recently been putting on olive oil every night. Please help me. Thank you so much.
Regards.
By Jean from Margate, South Africa
The best thing in my opinion is to let them grow out without chemicals. Air and care is my motto. I did the same thing and found that using a good hand and nail lotion or oil daily and wearing rubber gloves every time I had my hand in water with chemicals, helped. They are starved for oxygen and putting any polish or artificial covering will smother them again. It will take months to see results so be patient, after all it took months to get them into the condition they are in right? (03/12/2010)
By Ann Winberg
Castor oil is a very inexpensive and very healing oil. It also has pain-relieving properties. I have never used acrylic nails, but I'm sure that Castor oil would help. I'm sure an internet search would show this is true. I would rub Castor oil all over my hands and especially into the nail areas, cover them with old socks, go to bed for the night, and in the morning wash my hands with mild soap. You will find that your hands will be very soft, and that your nails will improve quickly. I was able to buy a huge bottle of Castor oil for around $5. (03/12/2010)
By Mary Nelson
I feel for you. I had them done once for my daughter's wedding, then let them grow out, filing them down as I went along. It took months till they were back in shape. That's something I will never do again. You just have to be patient and keep them short. It will give them a chance to recuperate. (03/12/2010)
By cettina
Nails are a dead appendage so no amount of oils, lotions, or potions are going to repair them, but at least you can safely hide some of the damage until they've grown out.
It will take between four to six months for all the damaged portion of your nails currently on the nail bed to grow completely out, but in the meantime, there are special 'filler' nail polish base coats that will help hide the damage and they are safe for your nails because they're a polish.
I can't think of any names or brands off hand, but you will definitely find them at any major pharmacy and maybe even your local grocery store. And as Cett said, keep them short until damage has grown out. (03/12/2010)
By Deeli
I don't know if this is available in your country, but here in the States they sell a flexible 'wrap' that's in a roll. You wrap it around the part of your body that you want covered and it sticks to itself. Maybe you can find that and cover at least part of your nails. One other alternative is to buy some cotton gloves (like the ones you wear overnight) and wear them. Good luck! (03/12/2010)
By kitkatk100
There is a nail strengthener that you can purchase by O.P.I. called " Nail Envy ", it is clear. You can put on as many coats as you want as it soaks into the nail and helps them grow stronger and quicker. I use this every time I get my acrylics removed, the lady at the salon actually recommended it.
It costs around $7 U.S. and it lasts you forever. Another tip is rather than removing your nails by peeling the acrylics off soak some cotton balls into acetone and then put them on your nails and wrap with aluminum foil and leave them on for about an hour. When you take the foil and cotton balls off your nails you should be able to just scrape off the acrylic. (03/15/2010)
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