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What's the best way to artificially lengthen my nails with minimal damage ?

18 replies

Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:35

I don't want them long, just passed my fingertips.

I bite them down the nothing so I have zero length.

The price and damage of acrylics is off putting.

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AperolWhore · 29/06/2024 12:41

I’d suggest having builder gel rather than acrylic, safer for the nails and looks natural.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 29/06/2024 12:43

best way would be to stop biting them…?

Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:43

AperolWhore · 29/06/2024 12:41

I’d suggest having builder gel rather than acrylic, safer for the nails and looks natural.

Can they do that on very short nails? I haven't been to a nail salon in years.

Is that what I ask for? Builder gel nails?

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Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:44

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 29/06/2024 12:43

best way would be to stop biting them…?

But obviously I can't, so I'm asking about artificial nails.

As even when they grow they are terribly brittle and snap immediately.

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3luckystars · 29/06/2024 12:45

If you get shellac gel from the beautician then it might stop you at them for a week and then you could get the Lily and fox nail wraps (to do yourself) as they are not as expensive as the shellac/gel. It would keep you from biting them.

I know very little about nails so please disregard my post as I’m sure many people here know a lot more about nails than me, but that’s what I would do.

Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:46

They're tiny. I'd feel daft going in asking them to put nail gel on them. They'd look daft.

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longdistanceclaraclara · 29/06/2024 12:48

Have a look at at BIAB

keylimedog · 29/06/2024 12:49

BIAB is "builder in a bottle". The first few times it'll look short still because it will just be on top of your natural nails, but it protects them if they're weak / helps them grow long so after a few applications they'll grow longer and with BIAB on I can't imagine you being able to bite them!

They also come in super natural nude colours (there's loads of colours too so you can match to your natural colour) so they wouldn't necessarily look like they've been "done" unless you want to add a gel colour on top - so if you're worried about them looking odd the first few times they probably won't 😊

Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:50

Oh BIAB sounds interesting, thankyou.

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socks1107 · 29/06/2024 12:51

My daughter has been using guided gel and had short bitten nails. After a few months they've really grown and are now strong too

socks1107 · 29/06/2024 12:51

Builder gel that should say

ProjectsGalore · 29/06/2024 12:52

I've just started with builder gel after my nails were wrecked by acrylics. My nails are weak and brittle and split so I find it really hard to grow them. I used to bite them when I was young so think I've damaged them. Anyway after the acrylics they were very short and weak and I just had a pale pink on top of builder gel. A couple of weeks later they are a good length and I've had the builder gel infilled and they look amazing! Give it a try and see how you like them.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 29/06/2024 12:53

Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:44

But obviously I can't, so I'm asking about artificial nails.

As even when they grow they are terribly brittle and snap immediately.

Edited

It is possible to change habits, you do have a level of control if you set your mind to it. It would be cheaper in the long run.

Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:57

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 29/06/2024 12:53

It is possible to change habits, you do have a level of control if you set your mind to it. It would be cheaper in the long run.

Not what I asked about. And my nails are poor because of lifelong health issues.

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Wyndolynnee · 29/06/2024 12:57

Do you need a UV lamp with BIAB?

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NeverDropYourMooncup · 29/06/2024 12:59

Start with bog standard (but the short length, as you'll struggle with longer) press on nails fixed with sticky pads. They'll cover up your nails and make it harder to bite at the skin. Yes, you'll need to keep on replacing them every 3 days or so, but that's partly because they're just sticky pads and partly because your nails are so short.

As you keep on doing that, your nails will have a chance to start growing and the skin start to heal.

Through the next few weeks, when you change them over (as that'll be one of the good things about them, the ability to have a complete change whenever you feel like it with no damage), take the time to give your hands a good clean, soak and gently push any skin that's attached to the nail - that's the cuticle, not the skin on your finger that goes raggedy - back. Don't cut, pull or expect perfection, just push them gently. follow up with a good moisturiser and then before you put on the next set, wash your hands properly again.

It's going to take time - eventually you'll become aware of the feeling that your nails are longer/you can feel them against the nailbed where there used to be nothing. Keep up the cleaning and moisturising, but do not let them go past the tips of your fingers yet; they're not strong enough until the entire nail from base to tip has never been bitten/lifted away from the nail bed.

You may find that you're actually happiest with natural nails exactly at the tips of your fingers, rather than then risking all that hard work to have stuff put on top of them, or you like to have them slightly longer so you can have something else on them. But getting the natural nails healthy and to that length is the key - and you'll be so proud when you do.

ETA: Psoriasis affecting the nails and ex biter. This worked for me.

motherofawhirlwind · 29/06/2024 13:04

Builder gel sorted mine out! Before and after

What's the best way to artificially lengthen my nails with minimal damage ?
What's the best way to artificially lengthen my nails with minimal damage ?
clarkkentsglasses · 29/06/2024 13:22

BIAB - life changing

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