How can I stop my nails flaking?

[Pleasedontdothat]

Over the last few months my nails have started flaking at the tips - as soon as they get past the nail bed that’s it, they start flaking, breaking off and I have to cut them really short. They look awful, as if I’m a confirmed nail biter - they’re too short for nail polish - I can’t even use nail wraps. I’m going to an event in a couple of weeks and would love not to feel like hiding my hands..

I use hand cream regularly, cuticle oil most days, haven’t had a gel manicure for years and this is a recent development. Any ideas/suggestions gratefully received.

My nails aren’t great but are definitely better with Rimmel nail nurse. I put a coat on every day for a few days, then remove and start again.

What changed in the months before they started flaking?

Diet? (WLI?)
Cleaning products?
Home or work environment?
Stress levels?
Illness / surgery?

Something must be causing it.

This has happened to me too.
I have psoriasis and wonder if it is the type you get on your nails.

Nothing that I can think of - BMI of around 22, not on a diet, vegetarian but that’s not changed for decades, no illness/surgery, cleaning products the same - I’m obviously a few months older though (early 60s)

I occasionally get flare ups of eczema but not psoriasis - presumably I’d notice 🤷‍♀️

The Manicurist Active shine polish has really helped my nails look snd feel stronger. It lasts ages and because it's clear you don't have to be a pro at applying it!

https://uk.manucurist.com/products/active-shine

Vaseline! Pot by the sink and your bed and rub in several times a day, really works.

I had this and a now have BIAB put on my nails. They look pretty now. I tried all the vitamins/supplements and nothing helped. I think it started when I was perimenopausal.

I’ve been looking at this and their nail hardener. I’m going to check if they can be used together

Mine too. So I bought some biotin supplements and they're now back to growing without flaking! Honestly, I'm amazed! Try it!!

Mine began doing this when my iron and ferratin were low.

I took biotin for months but no improvement.

I had this issue and solved it with OPI Repair Mode. It's a bit pricy but works really well. You apply it twice a day for 6 days and then can be used less frequently after that (I generally use once every week or 2 now).

It will immediately look a bit better as it temporarily glues down the flakes a bit, but the real benefit is in stopping further peeling. You may need to wait a little while for the bits which have been peeling to grow out to see the full benefit if that makes sense. I used it in the autumn of last year and don't have any peeling nail issues now.

Make a soaking solution from 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt and
a bowl of warm water.

Soak yours nails daily preferably before bed without washing it off after. Massage the nails a bit, for around 30 minutes in the soaking solution; lemon contains vitamin c essential for nail growth and gets rid of any yellow on your nails. The salt softens the cuticles and skin and strengthens the nails and the olive oil moisturises.

Then make a cuticle oil with 1 tsp olive oil and 2 vitamin e oil capsules squeezed into the olive oil in a small container to store it in. Apply the oil with a cotton bud and massage it in for around 10 minutes every day as often as you like. Push the cuticles back gently once a week.

Do it for 10 days but you'll see results after 3 days. I got this from an old YT video and it works like a charm 💅

Mine started to do this before I was diagnosed with thyroid issues.

Sounds like a deficiency to me. B12 or vitamin D I suspect.

I get Nailtiques off Amazon.

I've been using it for years. My nails never split or break and I often get compliments on how nice they look.

I had this when I was vegetarian. Nothing topical helped. Going back to eating meat (after many years) sorted it.

I’ve tried OPI Repair Mode and Nailtiques.

Collagen has made my weak nails rock solid.

Put oil on your nails after washing your hands.It only needs a small amount Soak your nails in warm oil once a week. Jojoba oil or almond oil are the ones I use.

As a fellow veggie, it's really easy to get too low in iron if you don't supplement.

But for nails I think for me vitamin D makes a huge difference.

Go to the dr and get some bloods done. When I had this it was due to an underactive thyroid.

I’ve been taking collagen for months.

I’m having a similar issue, my nails have always been small, weak and bendy. I’ve tried all sorts of supplements, creams and oils and realised they only really grow in the sun. I tried some press on nails a few months ago, only wore them for 2 weeks but when I removed them I realised the glue has wrecked my nails and they are now splitting as well as bendy. I’ve just bought this today so will report back in a week!