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Original poster

Any nail experts around for advice please

19 replies

Ladybird69 · 05/09/2023 23:47

I’m 54, always had beautiful nails. Really strong and long. I wear OPI mainly and has nail envy etc but over the past couple of weeks my nails have suddenly changed. They are soft and bendy and flakey. I’ve just picked up a cardboard box, not very heavy and yet it took half my finger nail off I just don’t understand it. My talons were 2”long and so tough I would rap nails constantly on table tops to annoy my friends. But now I’m scared to use my fingers in case I lose more nails. Have you any tips and ideas of firstly why it’s happening and secondly what can I do to’fix’ them. 😭they were the only part of my body that I liked. Tia

OP posts:
Burnamer · 05/09/2023 23:49

No idea what to do to fix them but could it possibly be menopause related?

Original poster
Ladybird69 · 06/09/2023 00:33

Oh great the bloody good old menopause is there nothing that it doesn’t destroy
thanks for your idea @Burnamer

OP posts:
Branster · 06/09/2023 01:19

I don't know what it might be causing this but you need to cut them short as a first step. And avoid using any kind of nail polish for a while.
Use almond oil or pure vitamin E oil every evening on your nails. Once a week, put some warm olive oil in s bowl and keep tips of fingers in there for 5 minutes or so then rub the oil in as much as possible, then wash your hands.
Wear gloves when washing/cleaning.
The above will protect.

To fix the problem, there might be some deficiencies going on?
Look into taking a supplement for nails (biotin is for hair but I think it might help with nails as well).
Sally Hansen does some strengthening nail treatments, have a look online.

Have you used any strong chemicals lately and your nails were exposed to something like that?

BarbaraWoodlouse · 06/09/2023 02:06

This happened to me though my nails have always been weak,
Suspected culprits: too many consecutive gel treatments (BIAB), I am certain they were done properly but perhaps my nails needed to “breathe”?; Long Covid; Perimenopause…

Slowly improving with multivitamins, oil and laying off the gels. I have just started collagen powder which many people rate highly for nails though I’m mainly hoping to improve my joints.

Original poster
Ladybird69 · 06/09/2023 03:58

@Branster thanks for your advice I’ll nip into shops and pick up some oils etc. I haven’t handled anything lately the only thing I can think of is whether OPI have changed their ingredients.
@BarbaraWoodlouse perhaps they need a break from polish for a while I do tend to wesr it all the time! Where do you get collagen from? Thanks

OP posts:
SophiaElise · 06/09/2023 04:05

This happened to me recently. Do you use gel polish? It wasn't the actual polish that was the culprit, I don't think - it was the repeated nail buffing. I cut them short and have stayed away from gel manicures for a couple of months. Seems to have worked as I'm slowly getting my old nails back!

ps: I'm perimenopausal but I don't think it's related to this

Thisisthedawningoftheageofaquarius · 06/09/2023 04:06

You haven’t changed nail polish remover by any chance? I had this and I changed to a lidl acetone free remover and they are much better. Think I’d accidentally been using one for removing gel nails (or something!) so was really harsh.
Hope you get sorted!

Tangofandango · 06/09/2023 04:39

Do you use rubber gloves that have impregnated moisturiser in them? When I had clients with this nail problem I found they all used these type of gloves. As soon as they stopped using the gloves the problem resolved itself.

Original poster
Ladybird69 · 06/09/2023 05:52

Hi. @SophiaElise @Tangofandango @Thisisthedawningoftheageofaquarius I dont use gels only OPI varnish and I don’t use anything harsh on my nails, definitely no buffing. I don’t use rubber gloves with moisturiser in them either. I’m at a loss as I haven’t changed any products or my nail routine! I will look into supplements and oils. I know it sounds stupid but I used to chew my nails but managed to stop myself biting my nails and they became my pride and joy! And I’m scared that if they get too short I’ll start nibbling them again.

OP posts:
TwinMama2322 · 06/09/2023 06:26

@Ladybird69 could you be anaemic? If you are otherwise healthy I would try taking some biotin vitamins to help strengthen them back up :) good luck x

rasellagirl · 06/09/2023 07:26

Hard as Hoof cream helped my weak nails (Amazon).
Also HRT!

BarbaraWoodlouse · 06/09/2023 21:27

Ladybird69 · 06/09/2023 03:58

@Branster thanks for your advice I’ll nip into shops and pick up some oils etc. I haven’t handled anything lately the only thing I can think of is whether OPI have changed their ingredients.
@BarbaraWoodlouse perhaps they need a break from polish for a while I do tend to wesr it all the time! Where do you get collagen from? Thanks

Sorry I’ve been out all day. I got the Marine Collagen powder from Holland & Barrett. I am pescatarian so went for that over bovine. It’s pretty flavorless and fine and filling mixed with kefir or yogurt for breakfast.

evilharpy · 06/09/2023 21:34

File them down so they are shorter
Cuticle oil every day
Find a tech who does IBX treatments, it's miraculous

You say you've been using OPI and Nail Envy, do you stick to that or do you have any gel/biab or acrylics? Have you peeled any of the above off your nails?

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 06/09/2023 21:58

I would say menopause also. I buy the 'breathable' nail polish and base coat. I like to think it helps, but I may be being conned. Grin

Original poster
Ladybird69 · 06/09/2023 23:09

@TwinMama2322 thanks, ive had trouble in the past with low B12 so I’m going to try get a blood test in the meantime I’ll get some iron supplements.
@BarbaraWoodlouse thanks I’ll pop in to town when it gets cooler 😁
@rasellagirl thanks lol I’ll take a look and as I said above I’ll try and get a drs appointment for blood test and mention hrt!
@evilharpy I’ve never used gels on my nails or buffed them I’ve always looked after them. It must be health/hormones!
@SpongeBobJudgeyPants ive never heard of breathable nails varnish, I’ll have to check it out.
its only been the last couple of months I think, but I haven’t done anything different so I will definitely look into supplements and oils. Thanks everyone x

OP posts:
Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:13

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but as you seem to have some nail technicians here can I cheekily ask a question please?!

I've had shellac nails done today. I've been using cuticle oil for a couple of weeks leading up to this, to help keep my nails strong. Does anyone know if it's a good idea to continue to use this when the shellac is on please??

Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:14

Also, I take iron supplements and B12 drops (both high dose from Amazon) as I'm in peri menopause and find these help with weak hair and nails.

evilharpy · 07/09/2023 08:57

Canyoucheckonme · 06/09/2023 23:13

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but as you seem to have some nail technicians here can I cheekily ask a question please?!

I've had shellac nails done today. I've been using cuticle oil for a couple of weeks leading up to this, to help keep my nails strong. Does anyone know if it's a good idea to continue to use this when the shellac is on please??

Yes absolutely, keep oiling your cuticles, a couple of times a day if you can.

Is the shellac a one off or do you plan to keep it up? If it's a one off, please still go back to the salon and get it removed properly.

Canyoucheckonme · 07/09/2023 20:05

I have shellac 2 - 3 times a year, and yes, have already booked a soak off and mini manicure for three weeks' time.

Thanks re oil 😊

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