Are gel nails suitable for splitting nails?

[chimichangaz]

I've had splitting nails for years. They always used to be strong but then (I think) menopause ruined them. I've tried supplements and strengtheners but to no avail.

I've always stayed away from gel nails as I thought they'd ruin them. But as they are ruined anyway would they now be an option?!

Couple of things - I prefer natural looking nails rather than bright polish. Square and not too long (ie not talons)

And I would want to do it as a home procedure rather than a salon (cost and time).

And I'm not great at putting on polish - is gel easier to apply, and does it get easier?

So many questions!!! Thanks to anyone who can help me

Here's an example of a nail that split last night.

Are you on any medications as my Mum has found various pills have made her nails peel terribly, gel nails/polish will weaken your nails, I do my own gel polish at. home using a Mylee lamp and polishes, it's important to oil/moisturise your cuticles daily when wearing gel and if I'm giving my nails a break the I use a coat of Nails Inc Gel Rehab then a coat or two of their Glowing my Way polish.

I started doing my own nails with poly gel a couple of months ago… it’s a steep learning curve! My nails are crap, always have been, thin and very weak, and I have one nail that has a pretty permanent vertical split in it so thought the poly gel would strengthen them. They definitely look a tonne better, but the upkeep is fairly time consuming, it takes me a good couple of hours to fill them and at the minute I’m doing it every 2 weeks or so, and I’ve had a couple of nails that have lifted and damaged my natural nail underneath. If you don’t get your nail prep done to perfection and get a lifted area It can damage your nail quite badly if you don’t buff the nail off and redo it before water gets underneath it or it catches on something and rips. I’ve watched ALOT of YouTube videos on nail prep, and really only getting the hang of it properly now.

@Moanycowbag yes, am on a couple of meds for ulcerative colitis, plus was taking HRT for a while but had to come off that while some unusual bleeding was investigated. Hoping to go back in in a month or so so that might make a difference. Maybe I could take some biotin?

@Banjaxx that doesn't sound great for me tbh. I think I might be better off really trying to get my nails sorted out (supplements, daily oils) and keep them short.

Thanks for replying both.

Get a vit d check and possibly thyroid . Mine do that when low in both

Don't take any biotin for a week before a thyroid test.

You could try CND Recsue Rxx. My nails were terrible and using this daily for a couple of weeks and then rotating with solar oil has transformed them.

Your nails look like they’re peeling rather than splitting. Do you do anything to them such as peeling them more or buffing them?
The trick is to keep them as short as possible, don’t buff them always wear rubber gloves and avoid peeling them as much as possible. Eventually the peeling bit will grow out.
You can have builder gel that will make the nails feel stronger and help prevent the peeling.

I have similar. Used to have very strong nails, then in the last five years so weak and break all the time. I've taken supplements, I've tried a number of different ones and nothing has made any difference. I find it really irritating. I have mentioned it to my GP and found them very dismissive.

@WarriorN I already take vit D, have done for years. Don't think it's thyroid, looking at the other symptoms. I blame menopause.

@Soontobe60 yes you're right, peeling not splitting. If they peel a bit then I do pull the loose bit off because otherwise it's sharp and catches. What's the solution - cover with something like Sally Hansen protector? And I'll try to find some rubber gloves that don't make my hands smell awful!

@IamChipmunk just had a look at the CND rescue- it's 36% off at Amazon so it's in my basket!! How do you use it? On bare nails? When I leave mine bare of strengthener they feel quite fragile and sore. Feels like they need something to protect them.

@chimichangaz its like a light oil, you just brush on nails and cuticle and rub in. I do it as im going to bed so it can absorb fully. It just goes on bare nails. Its really good. I noticed a huge difference in 2 weeks, you can apply twice a day.

You can use with gels. I actually got that and some solar oil the last time I had gel done as my nail lady said my nails were really weak but the gels were just ruining my nails tbh.
They are so much better now just using the Rescue Rxx/Solar Oil.

I only ever have gel done for a special occasion now and actually prefer vinylux polish.

@IamChipmunk just popping back on to say a massive thank you because the CND RescueRxx has been brilliant for my nails. I've not used it religiously but more often than not once a day and my nails look so much healthier and are peeling/splitting much less now.

I haven't worn clear polish regularly now for months and my nails feel so much better!!

@chimichangaz Im really pleased you found it useful! I use it once a day and in rotation with solar oil and its made an amazing difference. My nails actually look 'nice' now despite only really filing them but they don't break, peel and my cuticles are not dry and not always snagging and looking horrid!

@IamChipmunk it's made a huge difference. Here's the same nail as I posted previously- it's not perfect as you can see but sooooo much better than it was!!

Gah!! Pic now included.

Yeah that looks loads better!

They look so much better!

I love CND Rescue Rxx, it's only thing that worked for my nails too. I only use it every now & again now and my nails have stayed really strong and healthy.