Splitting nails

[TimeIretired]

Hi. My nails are quite brittle with many having multiple downwards ridges. I’m mid 60’s so know it’s an age thing in part and my dear mum also had the same - hereditary maybe?

However a couple are now starting to split downwards. I keep them as short as possible, never wear varnish and I try and counteract this with massaging cuticle oil in several times a day and regularly hand cream too. I’ve tried several so called miracle treatments, including both the pink and gold Sally Hansen, the OPI stuff too but some made it worse, none seem to be improving.

Any suggestions please? TIA

Me too,+ my mum when she was alive.
Watching with interest .
Could it be lack of calcium?

Try taking biotin supplements - I started taking them last year, and my hair and nails have never been stronger!

My nails are totally screwed after years of nail biting when i was younger.

I found the OPI repair mode stuff did work really well but I had to be very strict with applying it with 2 x a day and it took nearly 2 weeks to really start making a difference (they actually looked worse for the first week). I think this might be worth persisting with if you still have some, particularly as you don't wear nail varnish so can actually apply it daily to bare nails.

Agree with pp maybe also try supplements, there are various skin/hair/nails formulations around. I've got a vitabiotics one that I saw recommended on MN but keep forgetting to take it!

@limetrees32 i used to have loads of calcium - yoghurt mainly and still have one a day plus 1-2 large cups of baby (weak and milky tea) daily but definitely less than a few months ago. Might be something to consider thank you.

I used to have acrylics but stopped during Covid and never restarted. Might have to persevere with the OPI stuff to start with then try biotin. Must say I’m not impressed with collagen, tried several varieties over the last few months and again, not seen any benefits.

I think protein does more for nails than calcium—they're not bone they're keratin, like hair. How much protein do you eat? Mine got brittle when I wasn't eating enough, and improved when I increased it.

OPI Nail Envy made my nails peel. Everyone raves about it but it just didn't work on my nails.

I've found Boots Nail Strengthner (£5 a bottle) has given me great nails (I'm about to buy some more this afternoon).

I've bitten my nails for 40 odd years but have been putting that on over the summer and they're doing okay.

I'm another OPI repair convert - also agree it takes a couple of weeks. I did the first six days, took a break for a few days and then another six. Did my nails last night and they looked the best they have done for months.

My nails after using OPI Nail Envy for a month, 2 applications on day one, 1 application a day for a week, then remove and start again. If you'd have seen my nails at the start, you'd say it was a miracle! Instead of flaking, splitting and ridged nails, they are now strong and growing well

I had the same problem, started about 10 years ago. I take a high strength Biotin, it has taken a few years but now all my nails bar one are in good condition. I still have ridges going down but they are no longer brittle and splitting. I didn’t really notice any difference on a lower dose Biotin but after a few months of high strength I did start to see an improvement. I think you need to persevere with whatever you try.