Bad Nail Care Advice
Although this isn’t a typical “Ask Ana” article, I want to address a serious issue that happens online.
ASK ANA: Bad Nail Care Advice
Dear Ana, I’m doing a bit of head shaking here at home tonight and I’m not trying to dump an issue on you, I just needed to reach out because I’m sort of flummoxed at the moment.
I asked in a group I belong to on Facebook about suggestions for a base coat because I had some peeling issues today. All the replies were nail hardener products.
I’ve worked over 8 weeks to get my real nails healthy, long, and flexible. Thanks to you AND your blog I’ve learned SO much!! I now realize just how little people know about their nails and how to take care of them!
So I asked for suggestions that were NOT hardeners (without going into detail) along with saying I use nail oil regularly (I guess I should’ve clarified the version!) and was told I probably oil too much. Hmmm…
Then I was told I should run rubbing alcohol over my nails before I base coat and then the same person told me to BUFF my nails! I responded that I’d learned too much to ever treat my nails in that manner, but thank you for helping.
Maybe I didn’t let my oil soak in completely this last time before I did my manicure, however I haven’t had the peeling issue until today. I’m going to take it as user error and move forward, but I’m floored at what I was told.
Bottom line, thank you for what you do, thank you for the education about nails, and thank you for working to find a new base coat. As I type my naked first finger has Summer scent soaking in and in a bit I’ll re-base coat, polish and top coat. Your product has been a nail saver and helped me reach that Summer goal I set. I can’t thank you enough. Sorry to email you in frustration. Blissette In Ohio ~Maria
The Problem
Everyone’s An Expert
No, they aren’t!
And it makes me want to smack people when they give false advice. (Garlic will NOT strengthen your nails!)
People think that what works for them, will work for everyone else.
Nope, nope, and big fat wrong!
Although most people’s nails are as dry as the Sahara Desert, did you know that there are actually people who’s nail beds produce too much oil? This causes polish to completely pop off in a day!
I’m always amazed when someone asks for help on social media. They will get tons of comments about what product will solve their problem.
Not one person ever asks questions.
How on earth can you give someone advice without getting more information?
What’s The Culprit?
If someone’s nails keep breaking, there could be 20 different reasons. Such as their job or school, their diet, an illness or medication, their stress level, their hobbies, their pets or children, or a myriad of other reasons…
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- There’s the mom with two small children, who is constantly using car seats. Long nails and car seat buckles don’t play well together.
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- There’s the student who is digging in her backpack all the time for books and pens.
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- There’s the woman who has been diagnosed with a thyroid issue and is taking a new medication, but her nails start peeling 4 months later and she has no idea why.
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- There’s the person who constantly tries to grab the dog as he tries to bolt through the front door.
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- There’s the restaurant server who is in water all the time and isn’t allowed to polish their nails.
- And there’s me, who had abdominal surgery in September of 2014. I was stitched all the way up to the middle of my breast bone. The healing process took over 15 months and I still don’t think my nails are back to pre-surgery strength.
Most likely a nail hardener/strengthener is not the solution. Although they do help a handful of people, nail strengtheners are not the solution for
the masses.
To me, using hardeners on already brittle nails is the same logic as applying a coat of wood varnish to a dry leaf, throwing it against a wall, and hoping it doesn’t break!
It’s far better to naturally strengthen your nails by using a jojoba wax ester based nail oil and then figure out the ways to help prevent breaks.
MY RESPONSE TO MARIA
Thank you for writing Maria! We love our Blissettes!
As you realized, there are a lot of Facebook Groups that need to be directed to NailCareHQ.com
You are doing just fine with oiling your nails, and you’re right, hardeners are going to make them break if you have them long.
I cleanse my nails with rubbing alcohol to remove the surface oil and dust. Polish doesn’t stick to oil, so that step is important.
It’s also important to also cleanse the underside with a cotton swab before you wrap base coat all the way around the nail plate.
Peeling can be caused by several things, especially since our fingernails touch so many things….hence …”tip wear”.
At that point the polish has been rubbed off by life, and the tips of your nails are exposed to water. This leads to peeling.
Feeling A Bit Stressed?
Did you have anything stressful that happened about 4 or 5 months ago, surgery, medication, divorce, marriage, moving, job stress?
When this happens, the body sends less nourishment to the matrix, and we make weaker nails for a while. We don’t notice it until the weaker nail gets to the tips about 4 months later. Then our nails “suddenly” start peeling.
A Solution For Peeling Tips
If the peeling is bad, snip that part away and you can fill the gap with a little nail glue. Do not buff out the peeling unless some of the keratin cells are sticking up. Be very careful to not buff the rest of the nail.
Nail glue will help the peeling from getting worse. Then make sure you are wearing at least one layer of base coat, preferably two. And as much as you can, wear the 5 layers as explained in my Fab 5 Wrap article.
In Conclusion
I’m sure you’ve already figured this out, but when someone asks for help, please direct them to this website.
With over 50 articles to read, most likely the answer to their question is right here.
The article that will help them most to start is “How to strengthen brittle nails”
