Flaky, damaged fingernails

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I am a lifelong nail biter. It disgusts me that I do it. Over the years, I have tried everything, all the foul tasting stuff etc. Nothing has worked until now. Through patience with myself and will power, I had finally got them all grown and they were looking (relatively) great.

I applied some nail polish, with base coat etc for a work event I was going to. After removing it, my nails have flaked and cracked, broken off as short as if I had chewed them off again. They look worse than they have for years and I feel like I am back to square one again, as each time they grow a bit, the tip breaks off again. This has happened in the past on the rare occasions I have used polish. I seem to just have ridiculously sensitive brittle nails.

Help me please! What can I do to stop this?

I massage castor oil into my nails and cuticles every evening before bed, my nails are strong and shiny nail. Heard vaseline works well too

Try Biotin supplements. I have never had my nails done as I don't like it on me, but you might get some help here from those who do, such as building them up, gel nails whatever they do (I'm not sure as I haven't had mine done!).

My nails went brittle when my B12 was low. After supplements and a lot of liver they're hard as, well, nails.

Nails have always been weak, flaking, brittle despite trying all the treatments available. My hair, skin and bones are strong so there’s no biological reason.

Shellac nails were a revelation and I went every 2 weeks. For the first time ever I had medium/long shapely nails. During Covid I got a Mylee kit and do them myself, just putting on base and top coats, giving enough protection to keep them a decent length. I use nail oil daily which seems to keep everything in good condition.

I second the advice about oiling your nails. Mine improved massively within a week or 2. Mine would peel and break so easily and i was constantly painting them. Now i just paint them for special occasions which is sad because i loved having painted nails,but strong natural nails are amazing.

I rub in oil regularly and at the peak of damage i was soaking my nails in an oil bath for 5-10 mins daily.

@Pyaar Which oil for the nail bath? I only see nail oil in little bottles, so cannot imagine a nail "bath" using those...

I had wonderful nails.. But lately they are so bad.

I used Sally Hansen Nail and cuticle conditioner when I stopped biting my nails and it made a huge difference

OPI Nail Envy sorted out my weak, flaky nails.

Rimmel Nail Nurse bonds the flaking and they grow.

Mine were awful, the only thing that works for me is BIAB (a special type of salon manicure where they use a rubbery base overlaid with layers of gel polish). I've consistently had it for several months now and it's the first time in my life I've had nice nails.