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.

Current nails 🥴

Zinc.

The Manicurist Nail Glow plus a zinc supplement really helped mine.

I'm a lifelong nail biter so my nails were really weak. I've used everything in the past. I'd get long nails from using strengthener but they'd end up peeling and breaking in the end, I get so disheartened and start biting again.

I started taking Biotin for perimenopause hair thinning (after my hairdresser suggested it) back in November and realised a couple of weeks ago that my nails are stronger and my hair is falling out less. My skin also looks healthier.

I take biotin with zinc and selenium. It takes a good couple of months to see results but it really does work.

Following for some tips, as my usually strong nails have become weak and flaky. I had 16 rounds of chemo, finishing a year ago, and thought maybe it was that, although my oncologist thinks it might be either tamoxifen or the Zometa infusions I have. I take vitamin D, collagen and a B complex, use oil on my cuticles, but nothing helps 🤷🏻‍♀️

Try the Unicorn Oils at www.unicornlab.com.au
They have very hydrating and non greasy formulas perfect for this!

Try CND rescue rx oil, in blue and white packaging. (There is also their regular solar oil, yellow and white packaging, but that’s more for maintenance of healthy nails.)

Just an update if anyone has a similar problem - I’ve been taking Biotin for about three months now and my nails are much better - I had to cut them the other day as they were getting a bit too long! I had been quite sceptical about supplements but it’s the only thing I’ve changed so I assume it must be having a beneficial effect.

I'm glad it worked, keep taking the tablets! Biotin did nothing for mine. Interested to read upthread that zoledronic infusions might be the culprit. I've been using a nail hardener from Primark (it's in a silver bottle and looks a bit like a bullet), dirt cheap and easy to apply. One coat gives an eggshell finish and then I coat again 2/3 days later. Then I remove 2/3 days after that (it does tend to peel off in thick pieces if you leave it). My nails are better than they've been for a couple of years.

You said you would report back in a week @Ceterare the Mylee Nail Serum.
How have they done ?
Collagen, Zinc and Biotin have done nothing to improve my nails.
I am trying to nourish them with oil and Vaseline but I don’t do it consistently.

Forgot about this! The Mylee made no difference. I started using an old bottle of Sally Hansen Double Duty recently it’s really helped

I recommended OPI Repair Mode upthread and just want to recommend it again. After the intensive twice a day for 6 days period, I continue to use it once every couple of weeks and have zero issues with peeling now and my nails are stronger and longer than ever (about 0.75cm past the tips of my fingers). It's expensive but lasts absolutely ages - I haven't even used half of the one I purchased.

As mentioned, it will help a bit in the short-term but it's even better when you have used it for a while and have trimmed off all the bits that were peeling and have no more peeling bits.

Thanks you for the update @Cetera 💐
I used the OPI Repair Mode but it didn’t work for me.
I might try again but it’s so expensive.