I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (Full Version)

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Covaan_Meshuga -> I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/1/2008 9:16:15 PM)

I started wearing them because my natural nails were incredibly weak, they would split, and they were basically useless. Of course, I liked the looks of my acrylic nails, but I have decided that with the probable-coming economic problems, this was just one more way to cut back on frivilous spending.

Obviously, with the damage actylics preparation does to one's nails, once I removed the acrylics, my nails were immediately worse than ever. Fortunately, I have a friend who owns one of those beauty supply stores, so I talked to her and bought a product that already makes my nails stronger then they were before actylics. I never thought that stuff worked, and none of the other stuff like it that I tried worked, but this stuff actually WORKS!! Noticeably! So I am on the way to having my own nails.

Today, I went out and bought cuticle scissors, but I need more time to learn to use them well. Of course, I removed all the nail polish, pused back my cuticles, then cut the cuticles a little.

But since I never have had nice hands (even in childhood), I have never learned how to make them look nicer. (Why should I then? It was hopeless! And besides, I was in a cult that really frowned on that kind of thing, especially the EVILS of fingernail polish!)

So please help me out here!

What do you do, yourself, to make your nails look good? What are the rules? What won't you do?



Brandy -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/1/2008 9:49:37 PM)

Abiyah since you had acrylics I am assuming you had someone else doing them for you.

Here's what I did when I stopped.

When I had them removed I had a manicure at the same time and opted for clear polish to be put on. It helped ALOT to have that layer of protection. A week later I went back and had a good manicure done and paid very careful attention to how they did things. The following week I did it myself as best I could. After a few weeks of doing myself I went and had another manicure done professionally and even though she made some improvements she commented that my nails were looking really good.

The cost of those two manicures was less than 2 fills so it was still "saving" me money over the acrylics.

At home I soak my hands, well actually I do it right after a shower most time so no soaking [:)]

I get out of shower and follow my usual skin routine, that includes coconut oil all over my body with a lingering focus on my hands/nails. At this time I will also push my cuticles back since they are still soft/pliable.

Once dressed from shower I grab the nail trimmers and file and sit down and get to work. I do NOT ever trim my cuticles. I push back and can kinda of push off the extra skin. I've had the manicurist trim them a few times but generally ask them to be left alone. The only reason they did them with the acrylics on was to get space to put the material on as far back as they could while still leaving that little sliver of space. I've seen and had a few nasty clips to the cuticle skin and it's PAINFUL and can take a while to heal right.

After trimming and filing I either apply polish or just apply more coconut oil, again focusing on cuticle area. There are a few nights a month where I slather the oil on my hands and feet, feet get socks on them and hands just have to sit still for a while [:D]

I have to say that with the coconut oil my nails are SOO much stronger and yet still flexible. I also take a prenatal at the moment, but when not pregnant I was taking a time release B-complex. That helped/helps my nails and hair tremendously.

I haven't worn polish in a long time, if you wear polish you can still apply a good cuticle oil or just a realllly nourishing lotion daily to your hands and cuticles.

Another thing... Keep them SUPER short while they are healing. I kept my like little specks of an edge to prevent them getting caught and tearing back since they were SO super thin.



BrowneyedAL -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/1/2008 9:53:58 PM)

I wish that I had some good advice for you...but I am in the same boat...except I wear gel rather than acrylics. I don't wear tips, just the gel over my own nails. A couple months ago I took them off and actually had decent nails for about a month then they all started splitting...the problem was they were splitting so far back they were in the nail bed...it was so painful that I had to put gel back on them. Mind sharing the name of the product you are using?



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/1/2008 11:01:29 PM)

Thank you, both of you, for answering.

BrowneyedAL, I will answer you first, because something Brandy wrote, which I had been doing without knowing it was a benefit to my nails, may help you as well.

The product the friend recommended is NailMagic nail hardener and conditioner by Melvco, INC: www.nailmagic.com. It is important, she told me, to specifically follow the enclosed instructions. She also sold me a common nail polish to cover the NailMagic.

What her employees had sold me days earlier, which I continue to use, is ibd Reconstrux, which is an oil. After reading Brandy's post, I sniffed it to see if it was coconut oil, but i didn't smell coconuts. When the oil I bought is gone, I am going to refill the finy bottle (it has a brush) with coconut oil and also use the coconut oil by rubbing it on my hands and feet.

Now, what Brandy brought up was B vitamins. I learned that I have an extreme shortage of the Bs, the problem manifesting in other ways. I had no idea that Bs would help my nails and hair!! I will now be more faithful in taking my Bs. Just a little thing about that: regular B complex KILLS my stomach! I bought timed-release B complex and never have a problem.
_____________________________

Brandy --
Yes, I had my nails done, never having tips added, because I like my nails very short. I asked that they just put the gel on top of my natural nails, then kept them short enough that the white was between 1/8 inch and 1/3 inch, never any longer.

Thank you for bringing up the manicure. I intend to go have one as soon as my own undamaged nails grow out past the quick -- that will be some months. But perhaps I will go in sooner, as you advise, especially since I would otherwise wait another two months or so.

Also, I like your idea of never cutting the cuticle. Maybe I will in the winter, to keep them from cracking and bleeding, but I think I will wait to see if it is necessary. Perhaps the coconut oil may make it unnecessary?

Although I must use lotion often -- as in many times per day -- some lotions are really irritating, mainly the sticky ones and the ones that make my hands feel grimy/dirty. I have found that Lubriderm never is irritating and never make my hands (and feet) feel bad. What lotion do you recommend? Also, what kind of coconut oil?

All my life, I have also had horribly dry skin on my legs, arms, and generally everywhere. Apparently, you recommend your coconut oil for all these areas?

Thank you so much for all the information! It is SO appreciated!



Roberta_ -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/1/2008 11:54:05 PM)

I always ignore mine and then cut them when they get in my way.



Brandy -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 12:10:09 AM)

Abiyah good for you to take your B's!! They are sooo good for us a women, I recommend them to everyone.

I like that nail product you got, it looks like a good strengthener/base for thin/damaged nails that need extra care.

I use Nutiva brand Coconut Oil.

If you don't have that brand make sure it's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, cold pressed. It will look like Crisco below 76 degrees F and will liquefy above that. I have two containers that I seperated it into, 1 for skin/body and 1 for cooking since it's in the cooking aisle at most places [:D] It's DELICIOUS on bread in place of butter. Oh my word it's downright heavenly. It can be used in cooking in place of almost any oil. I have cooked chicken in it and it had this hint of sweetness, not terribly apparent but 'something' behind it.

Yes, I slather it on from head to toe, start at my face and go down and end at my feet. It absorbs rapidly if you use it sparingly and it leaves a hint of sweet, almost unnoticeable unless someone gets real close to you. It has helped a coworker with his skin having almost eczema like dry patches (recently diagnosed as NOT eczema but I would argue that).

It is also going to be the only lotion/moisturizer I use on my daughter when she is born unless otherwise needed medically.

I really should get a commission for pushing the coconut oil industry [:)]



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 12:25:31 AM)

I just ran to my pantry, to see what coconut oil I had. I think I will have to buy something different. This is organic coconut oil, but it is not virgin but is refined, and it is specifically for higher temperatures. Also, although it is 77 degrees F in my house, it is more solid that Crisco. I want what you are telling about. I will try to find it at Trader Joe's, since I've "lost" the healthfood store I used to shop in.

Thank you so much for all this info! I feel so enthusiastic about this! I get to spoil me!! I can handle that!



peculiar_lady2 -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 6:47:08 AM)

quote:

Also, I like your idea of never cutting the cuticle. Maybe I will in the winter, to keep them from cracking and bleeding, but I think I will wait to see if it is necessary.

I find in the winter when my hands are very dry and cuticles are very dry that using an antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin) is actually better then anything else if they are cracking. Oil helps, but most of the products or lotions made for nails really doesn't help much and actually dries the cuticles out more. (I can't stand the smell of coconut oil, but I use olive oil and it is great too)

quote:

Although I must use lotion often -- as in many times per day -- some lotions are really irritating, mainly the sticky ones and the ones that make my hands feel grimy/dirty. I have found that Lubriderm never is irritating and never make my hands (and feet) feel bad. What lotion do you recommend? Also, what kind of coconut oil?

All my life, I have also had horribly dry skin on my legs, arms, and generally everywhere. Apparently, you recommend your coconut oil for all these areas?

lotions have drying agents in them usually...so I wouldn't use them. Try things like olive oil or coconut oil (as I said I don't like the smell so I use olive oil)...or shea butter's...they don't have drying agents in them. Another thing that helps is sloughing off the dead skin on your hands and nails (esp in the winter) so that whatever you use on them can be absorbed. (It's easy to make your own scrub with something abrasive like sugar and a little soap)



agapetos -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 11:03:56 AM)

I will vote for the coconut oil too. Abiyah, the stuff you have will be ok (if you can cook with it, you can use it on your skin!). I started to use it last year. I buy non-organic stuff (because I can't afford the organic) but it's virgin. I was talking to the guy in the health store I bought it because I was confused about the different types. The refined oil was in another location (near the skin care stuff, not the food) and he said it was fine for using on your skin, but you shouldn't cook with it (it specified this on the tub). I bought the non-organic virgin as I wanted to cook with it too.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 1:43:46 PM)

Peculiar Lady, I tried Neosporin on my cuticles last winter, and it sure helped. I also bought Neosporin's lip balm, and it helped. I have used these products on many things of late.

I love the fragrance of coconut oil, so that is not a problem.

The worst lotions I have tried are those with "mink oil" in them. Horrid! They, along with some others, are the ones that make my hands feel grimy. Eeewwwww!

As you suggested, over the last months, I have taken to using a fairly stiff-bristled brush on my hands, arms, legs, and feet. This really helps.
_____________________________

Agapetos, I did go ahead and use my coconut oil after my shower this morning, but the one I have is really thick, and it stayed on the surface of my skin a long time. I had to towel it off. This particular refined oil is for cooking, and it was with the cooking oils at the store. But the fact is that it helped. I had also put it on my feet last night, and this morning, they looked great.

This morning, I removed my coconut oit from the pantry to my bathroom, where it will stay; still, I am going to see if I can find some that applies to the skin better.



ChiefWannahakaloogie -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 4:20:52 PM)

quote:

What do you do, yourself, to make your nails look good? What are the rules? What won't you do?

the only thing i do to my nails is trim them and eat a ton of calcium [;)]



manda59 -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 8:16:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
The worst lotions I have tried are those with "mink oil" in them. Horrid! They, along with some others, are the ones that make my hands feel grimy. Eeewwwww!


Yikes and yuk, I am shocked that anyone would be selling products that so blatantly have animal products in them like that. [&:]



manda59 -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 8:19:36 PM)

Covaan Meshuga,

I just wondered if you've ever been tested for hypothyroidism - it's just that nail problems and dry skin are symptoms you can get with an underactive thyroid.



HisCovenant -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/2/2008 8:33:15 PM)

I've made the switch from acrylic and here's what I would recomend:
1. Get a manicure or two to watch how they care for natural nails.
2. Don't buff too often or too much. That's one of the reason geting Acrylics harm your nails- they buff them until they are too thin.
3. Resign yourself to having weak neails until the nail has totally regrown it's full length. The nail you have is already damaged.
4. Check your diet and health. When you get all the nutrients you need naturally (not from suppliment that often don't work properly in your body for several reasons,) your nails should be stronger. If your nails are weak, peeling, or splitting, that is a sign of either disease, abuse, or poor nutrition.
5. Keep your hands out of water and chemicals for long periods of time. While your nails are wet, they are softer and tend to get torn more easily. And chemicals can harm the skin around your nails.
6. File nails & scrub with a stiff nail brush weekly and buff them monthly. Moisturize daily (maybe several times a day) with a natural moisturizer. That should be all the care they need.
7. Be very careful to not use just any moisturizer. Most sold at Walmart and the like have chemicals that leech out moisture.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/3/2008 2:52:47 PM)

Blue_orchid, I DO DO DO my calcium and get bone density tests done. My bone density tests say I'm just great, especially for my age, but it doesn't transfer to my nails and teeth, unfortunately. [:(]
_____________________________

Manda, I never thought it was really mink oil! Do you think it really is??? I always thought it was just their perception of some product that is soft. The thought of that, if it really is from minks!...

I have been tested for hyperthyroidism, and it hasn't been a factor, but I do have an illness that wreaks havoc on many things.
_____________________________

HisCovenant, at this point, my nails look about as good as they're going to be, with the thinned-out tops that go down up to 1/3 inch. After that grows out, I intend to get a manicure and watch them.

As far as my diet, I know I eat terribly, often skipping meals, often eating whatever is handy. That is why I am so delpeted on the Bs and must take vitamin supplements. I also drink a lot of tea, and I know I shouldn't.



ChiefWannahakaloogie -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/3/2008 3:26:49 PM)

quote:

Blue_orchid, I DO DO DO my calcium and get bone density tests done. My bone density tests say I'm just great, especially for my age, but it doesn't transfer to my nails and teeth, unfortunately.

i know there are polishes you can buy that are made for making nails stronger. have you tried those?



stellaluna -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/3/2008 8:19:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

I always ignore mine and then cut them when they get in my way.

Same here. I've never cut my cuticles. Sometimes if I'm feeling really ambitious I buff them. I even paint them sometimes. But not too often.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 12:50:00 AM)

Blue_orchid
But I never believed them, and none of them seemed to work, until I bought the product a friend recommended: NailMagic nail hardener and conditioner by Melvco, INC: www.nailmagic.com. I actually had real, noticeable, verifiable improvement within four days! I was stunned. I never expected it to work.
_____________________________

Stellaluna, I am getting ambitious in my old age! [:D] I never cared before, because I saw my hands as hopelessly ugly, large, gnarled, unsightly, and my nails were weak. Now that my nails show promise, I'm acting like a beauty queen (which I am far from being) and doing my nails! Ha-ha-ha!
_____________________________

Tonight, however, I decided to do a two-week fast from all things milk: that means no cocoa, no chocolate (I'm gonna DIE!), no cheese, no butter, no ice cream or sherbet, no milk in my coffee or tea, etc. Will I live through this??? But there is a heavy possibility that I have an allergy to it. I hate this -- right when I'm trying to build up my nails. I will have to take calcium pills.



agapetos -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 4:19:01 AM)

quote:

Manda, I never thought it was really mink oil! Do you think it really is??? I always thought it was just their perception of some product that is soft. The thought of that, if it really is from minks!...
Not Manda, but...

quote:

Mink oil is made from the thick fatty layer minks have just under their skins. This fat is removed from the pelt when the mink is skinned and is then rendered into mink oil. Mink oil is a source of palmitoleic acid which possesses physical properties similar to human sebum, therefore mink oil is used in several medical and cosmetic products. Mink oil is also favored for treating and preserving leather.

Botanical alternatives to mink oil as a source of palmitoleic acid include macadamia nut oil (Macadamia integrifolia) and Sea Buckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides), both of which contain a larger percentage of palmitoleic acid (22 and 40% respectively) than does mink oil (17%).


From here

quote:

no chocolate (I'm gonna DIE!),
Then you need this (which is dairy free!)[:D]



manda59 -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 6:51:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
I have been tested for hyperthyroidism, and it hasn't been a factor, but I do have an illness that wreaks havoc on many things.


How long ago was your thyroid tested btw?

And is it ok to ask about your illness? (if not, feel free to ignore the question [:)])



HisCovenant -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 9:54:16 AM)

Many green veggies have loads of calcium. Where do you think cows get it? [;)] Cover your ears Stella: Oz for Oz, broccoli has as much calcium as milk. You can uncover them now! [8D]



stellaluna -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 10:40:21 AM)

[:D]



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 3:22:39 PM)

But the best comes from COWS. That's why it's called cowcium.

My break is over -- be back later.



HisCovenant -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 3:35:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga

But the best comes from COWS. That's why it's called cowcium.

My break is over -- be back later.

I wish you could hear me groaning and see me rolling my eyes!



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: I've quit wearing acrylic nails. Period. What now? (6/4/2008 11:06:37 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
quote:

ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
But the best comes from COWS. That's why it's called cowcium.

I wish you could hear me groaning and see me rolling my eyes!

Hee-hee-hee!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Manda
How long ago was your thyroid tested btw?

Waaallll, it's been awhile. Maybe four years, maybe less. I really HATE to go to doctors.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Manda
And is it ok to ask about your illness? (if not, feel free to ignore the question )

Actually, I will take this as an opportunity to write that I have an illness with a stigma. People automatically think that I drank or drugged myself into it. I did neither: mine happens to be hereditary. Not all cirrhosis is alcohol- and/or drug-related, and not all cirrhosis is hereditary. I was a complete tea-totaller when I was diagnosed, and I never abused drugs. Since being diagnosed, I have tried a few times to drink wine, but it tastes really nasty to me, so I gave up. Grape juice is a good thing.

What I have is called primary biliary cirrhosis (if I spelled it correctly). When I was dianosed, they gave me from months to 20 years to live. I was diagnosed 14 years ago. It causes me to have red bumps (both tiny like a pinprick and larger ones about 1/4" square) all over my body as well as visible white cholesterol deposits on my eyelids. One of the related things I have had to do is have my gall bladder removed, and it may have helped bring on my diabetes.

I have done little research about the disease, because it makes me happier to ignore it and pretend it isn't there. Regarding the illness, I have had some very unhappy experiences with doctors, because it is rare enough that they are as clueless as I am. However, my father had it, and one brother was diagnosed with it.

Eventually, I am told, it will turn into full-blown cirrhosis with all the ugly stuff that goes with it.

There. I wrote it. Thank you for the opportunity. Maybe some reader will use this as an opportunity to not be so judgmental toward people with cirrhosis.



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