Please can anyone advise on my nails

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

I was getting gel (and then BIAB) for a few years and stopped almost a year ago. My nails were in an awful condition, paper thin and sore. Since then I've tried all sorts (several different strengtheners, OPI nail envy, a special "after gel nails" repair stuff etc) but although they're definitely better than what they were, they're still horrible.

Im currently using CND RescueRXX. I'm using it more than twice a day and applying hand cream often. As far a I know it has to be put on bare nails. But they look awful and I'm wondering should I not have something on to add protection? Maybe it's counter-intuitive?

Attached is a photo just taken so I've not put the CND or any hand cream on, just bare nails.

I go on holiday next month and would really like to have somewhat decent nails.

Anything else I can try? There are ridge down most of my nails should I buff them? The lady in The Salon Life says not to? Maybe I need to watch more of her videos but there's a lot to wade through!

My nails were in an absolute state, I picked up Barry M nourish it’s just a clear polish with raspberry extract so it has a pink tinge and it’s really helped and v cheap. Other things like lush or Burts bees cuticle oil put it all over the nail just before bed. Coconut oil ? Might also help x

I'm assuming you don't want BIAB again?

You should increase your vitamin D intake. And gelatin if you can.
Not much you put on them will help.

Don't buff them. Keep them short by trimming with scissors. It'll take a good 6m before the grow out.

They already look as though the healthier nails are growing through. I would be patient, continue as you are, keep them trimmed. They will soon be completely clear.

It's been 9 months! I think I can actually see the difference partway down my nails.

No, never getting biab or anything else again it ruined my nails - or rather the removal process did I think but there isn't a single place near me that does it any differently.

If I can just get my nails to a good condition I'd be happy to just paint them myself.

I'll try the vitamin d and gelatin 👍🏻

Does anyone know, with the CND RescueRXX should I carry on keeping my nails bare full time or should I put something on them and remove it each day to apply the CND stuff? It wasn't cheap so I don't want to get it wrong!

Biotin tablets and Nailtiques paint on, and keep them short. It does just have to grow through.

I too got BIAB done. It was removed in mid February.
My nails are still in a terrible state since it was removed.
I have nails that are visibly 2 layers. From where the BIAB was removed and the layer growing behind it further down the nail.,
BIAB - Never again.
Though it did look lovely on.
All I can do let them grow out and rub nail oil in.
However they are so unsightly that I put a layer of very pale iridescent polish on them most days to try and disguise the state of them.
If I'm not meeting anyone outside of my family I leave them bare to give them a break.

Jojoba oil as often as you can remember.

You can see the good regrowth, you just have to hang on in there.

Would you get BIAB and remove yourself? Go to a different salon? I get my acetone from Amazon in a litre bottle and it removes anything gel based with ease.

It's the top third that's damaged - the lower 2/3 looks healthy on the index finger (and more on the others). You've got a little bit more time before undamaged nail reaches the top.

Longitudinal ridging is normal with age and some medical conditions - don't file or buff that out, as that's where the strength comes; you're not acquiring higher bits, what's happening is some parts are lower. Think of it as though you'd got a dent in your car - you wouldn't take a hammer and bash in the rest of the wing to match the deepest part and expect it to be stronger, after all. It's mild enough that a simple ridge filler would cover pretty much everything for an occasion (such as a holiday).

What I found to be the most useful thing was emollient ointment - pretty much slugging for nails. Yours look dry, along with the skin - so a handwash, followed by patting dry + emollient will make them look and feel much better.

Yes I have dry skin in general and the nails do look better when I use hand cream (which is often) I just wanted to show what they're like totally bare. I use an emollient cream on my body each day so maybe I should use that as a hand cream. Good to know about the ridges.

Right so I'll stick with the bare nails, CND RescueRXC and keeping them short and as moisturised as possible.

Thanks everyone

I had very good nails until the pandemic when hand gel murdered them. I have tried so many things but in desperation Sally Hansen miracle cure has done the most noticeable difference.

Maybe they need a rest from all the various chemicals you’re assailing them with?

Your nails don’t look terrible at all - but if you take Vitamin D, ensure you’re getting the best possible nutrition from your diet and avoid harsh chemicals or mechanical intervention - they will inevitably become stronger and healthier.

(And I would never use scissors on finger nails, just a gentle emery board.)

I use Nailberry Acai Nail Elixir which is a tinted nail treatment. I don't paint it up to the skin surrounding my nails and leave a mm or 2 bare. I apply the CND RescueRXX twice daily to the bare areas of nail and on the underside of the tips. On a Saturday evening I remove the nailberry treatment and leave my nails bare until Monday morning. When my nail is completely bare I apply the CND to the whole nail.

This was the thing that worked for me after damage from chemotherapy.

Big tub of Vaseline by every sink and by your bed too, rub into nails multiple times a day and before bed. Works so much better than hand cream or any specific nail treatments in my experience.

I agree re the Vaseline @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

This and jojoba oil

Yup I stopped everything on my nails. Upped collagen , ate a jelly cube every day. Hand cream and heavy vaseline at night. Mine were much worse than yours. Splitting & peeling constantly, but are great now. Super strong. Occasionally I'll use nail polish but not often.

Thanks everyone I feel like there's hope!

Try these videos. The bottom one explains why you shouldn’t buff. The warm oil soak is a game changer. I did it a few times a week when growing damage out but mostly do it once a week now and it’s a little relaxing treat.

I use the CND stuff and yes, it’s best to use on bare nails otherwise it won’t absorb. Jojoba is the best oil to use for nails but any will help.

This is a good one too. The Kerasal is amazing too.

I've ordered that Kerasal - the ingredients are more or less the same as EA Eight Hour Cream, which Aldi do a passable dupe of - if anyone wants something a bit cheaper!

Oh ! Thank you @VanGoghsDog 💐I actually have the Aldi dupe of EA 8 hour cream in my bedside locker.
I don't like it as it is so thick but now I can rub it in to my awful nails.

That's good to know @VanGoghsDog thank you!