Growing nails.....

[Bluesheep8]

Hi all, does anyone have any tips/product suggestions for helping with nail growth? I've been an inveterate nail biter (and I mean HORRENDOUSLY so, all my life and a comment from my mother about the state of my finger nails has finally (at the age of 44) persuaded me to address this. I've got some Sally Hansen miracle growth and OPI avoplex but just wondered if anyone had any tips on first of all encouraging growth and secondly ongoing maintenance.I am DETERMINED to kick this ugly habit once and for all!

I bite my nails And I find that rubbing hand cream nothing special in around the nail base and my whole hand really helps the grow

Yes nail/hand cream all the time, and keep a nail file handy so you don't nibble rough or broken bits. They'll be weak to start with, it's a bit of a long haul job.
I too stopped recently (50+!) after looking at women on a train and thinking they all had nicer nails than me! I did use those vitamins you can buy specifically for nails and do honestly think they helped but they are quite expensive. Good luck, it's worth it!

Thanks, I'll get some - ashamed to say I've never used handcream as I've neglected nails and hands for SO long....

Thanks happy, good tip re mail file, I don't have one of those either and I know that temptation would be almost impossible to avoid if there was a little ragged corner just asking to be bitten! Good luck with your growth too, I am going to post a pic when I've got nails to be proud of

A friend used to bite her nails and found that if she painted them she didn't bite them. As soon as they started to chip though she started to nibble them so you've got to be on top of them and be able to reapply nail polish quickly :o

Shellac manicures were the only thing that did it for me

Hi Heymacwey, that's true actually-thanks, got some other Sally Hansen rescue stuff that has a slight pink tint so will try that...too ashamed to draw attention to them with colour now that I'm aware of them iyswim

2 words NAIL ENVY

I was exactly the same! File them so you're not nibbling jagged edges. Use some Berts Bees nail stuff cos it's bitter. Possibly use Stop n Grow too cos that's even more bitter. Once there's a bit of growth on them, probably in two weeks, get a shellac or gel manicure. You can go for a pale, nude or even clear colour at first if you're still not confident enough to draw attention to them, but dark short nails are gorgeous! Shellac/gel is the only thing that stops me biting. Good luck!

Ah Nail Envy, of course-thank you eggsbenedict. I seem to recall that they do a matte one (from a previous failed attempt to kick THE HABIT!) And yes Hotladybird, I saw a lady with beautifully shaped very dark short nails the other day-so stylish. Right, that's my first mini-goal (thinking about rewarding my efforts with a Route Noir dupe already!)

Chewy vites aren't sold as hair and nail vitamins, but I have noticed a big difference in nail growth since I started taking them.

Thanks hugoagogo-hadn't thought of supplements and wasn't sure if they'd be worth trying...will have a look