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dougI need help. Well, obviously, but more specifically I need advice about nail varnish. They didn't teach me at school. (Maybe the girls did while we boys got the lessons on how to patronise girls about map-reading.) The expertise available locally is limited to using nail varnish to stop runs in tights, blob on objects to identify them, and once- or twice-a-decade stunt nails where an expert friend supplied the know-how.
My nails keep splitting.
The main thing is probably to address the root cause: I'm pretty sure it's because I keep washing my hands (small children are adept at creating opportunities for parents to do that), and not drying them properly and not moisturising. (I'm also getting lots of hangnails.) I can't not wash my hands as often. Well, I suppose I could, but the resulting drop in hygiene is Not Acceptable. Alcohol hand rubs are, I suspect, even worse for one's hands. So proper drying and moisturising it is.
Anyway: while that's taking effect, I have a particular split nail that I need to protect. My theory was to put nail varnish on it.
Well, it's rubbish.
Knowing next to nothing, I just picked a likely looking bottle in Boots (expensive, clear, said it was for strengthening nails). I've applied two coats with a sleep in between coats. Less than 24 hours of what counts as ordinary use for me and it's chipped and also appears to have separated in some places from the actual nail.
What I want to know is:
1. Do I have to remove the existing layer before applying a new one? I'd rather not, because nail varnish remover is very bad for your nails - specifically, it tends to make them split. On one model in my head of how nail varnish works, the solvent in the replacement layer would slightly dissolve the first layer, helping it to reattach. On another model, it polymerises, so once a layer has dried out it can't be dissolved except destructively, by nail varnish remover. Which sort of leads me to:
2. How does nail varnish work, chemically? And more practically,
3. How do you use nail varnish to protect nails, especially for prolonged periods when you're doing heavy work with your hands (rather than to look pretty for a short time while lazily lounging louchely in one's longjohns, lapping loganberry juice languidly from a lady{boy}'s lap ... ahem, sorry)? Er, yes, and perhaps more fundamentally,
4.Is this whole plan to use nail varnish to protect my nails entirely pointless?
PS New Doctor Who series is bloody terrifying for children. At least, I imagine it is. It scared the willies out of me.
My nails keep splitting.
The main thing is probably to address the root cause: I'm pretty sure it's because I keep washing my hands (small children are adept at creating opportunities for parents to do that), and not drying them properly and not moisturising. (I'm also getting lots of hangnails.) I can't not wash my hands as often. Well, I suppose I could, but the resulting drop in hygiene is Not Acceptable. Alcohol hand rubs are, I suspect, even worse for one's hands. So proper drying and moisturising it is.
Anyway: while that's taking effect, I have a particular split nail that I need to protect. My theory was to put nail varnish on it.
Well, it's rubbish.
Knowing next to nothing, I just picked a likely looking bottle in Boots (expensive, clear, said it was for strengthening nails). I've applied two coats with a sleep in between coats. Less than 24 hours of what counts as ordinary use for me and it's chipped and also appears to have separated in some places from the actual nail.
What I want to know is:
1. Do I have to remove the existing layer before applying a new one? I'd rather not, because nail varnish remover is very bad for your nails - specifically, it tends to make them split. On one model in my head of how nail varnish works, the solvent in the replacement layer would slightly dissolve the first layer, helping it to reattach. On another model, it polymerises, so once a layer has dried out it can't be dissolved except destructively, by nail varnish remover. Which sort of leads me to:
2. How does nail varnish work, chemically? And more practically,
3. How do you use nail varnish to protect nails, especially for prolonged periods when you're doing heavy work with your hands (rather than to look pretty for a short time while lazily lounging louchely in one's longjohns, lapping loganberry juice languidly from a lady{boy}'s lap ... ahem, sorry)? Er, yes, and perhaps more fundamentally,
4.Is this whole plan to use nail varnish to protect my nails entirely pointless?
PS New Doctor Who series is bloody terrifying for children. At least, I imagine it is. It scared the willies out of me.
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no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 09:06 pm (UTC)I wouldn't put nail varnish on a split nail at all. I'd think it would a) not hold it together, even if it looked like it did (literally just painting over cracks) b) dry it out, and c) and I'd be worried about it getting into the tissue under the nail. To repair it, I'd use a specialist product, of which there are loads on the market.
Like this, maybe http://www.boots.com/en/No7-So-Strong-Nail-Care_15567/
or this: http://www.boots.com/en/Sally-Hansen-No-More-Breaks_1038046/
For maintenance/prevention, I would also definitely invest in a decent hand and nail cream, perhaps one like this- http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Nourishing-Nail-Cuticle-Care_15563/ In my experience, you can't go wrong with The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Protector, which is cheap and brilliant- I used to sell lots of this to nurses (cos of the alcohol gel) and people who worked with chemicals that played havoc with their hands.
hemp link
Date: 2010-04-11 09:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 09:09 pm (UTC)I've used clear nail varnish, coats applied about 10-20 mins apart so they stick together while one is still a bit tacky but on my right hand which I use most it always chips after mere days.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 09:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 09:51 pm (UTC)OTOH, Keith Christmas's guitar style was so vigorous (think Richie Havens, but moreso) he just used to wrap his fingers in many layers of sellotape at the start of each gig. That probably won't work for you.
DW has indeed required bedtime talkdowns for J.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 10:21 am (UTC)... or maybe epoxy resin would work.
I'm afraid I must have been away when the other girls did nail varnish :-/
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 10:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 01:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 07:44 am (UTC)Have you thought about taking a vitamin supplement specifically for nails? Boots sell them. No idea how they work though.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 08:20 am (UTC)Nail varnish itself will dry the nail out, though, so may not be the best thing. The best way to strengthen nails is to have a good diet with plenty of nuts and seeds, and to keep your nails filed to avoid snags, buff them regularly, and use a good hand and nail cream.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 10:07 am (UTC)If you have a split nail, it might be worth getting some steristrips and using one to create a kind of bandage effect across the nail. I have done this in the past.
The Smilers were almost too much for YoungBloke (6) this week.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 11:01 am (UTC)(I think a lot of nourishing/strengthening nail varnish is like 'kind to your throat' cigarettes - it's responding to a problem generated by the original product. It might be a bit better than most, but isn't an improvement on not using the product at all. However, I've not kept up with advances, and I never bought the posher brands.)
no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 12:35 pm (UTC)Basically, there are two reasons why nails break - either they are too bendy, and bend and peel (would benefit from hardening treatments) or are too brittle (and would benefit from more oils)
Nails are made of layers of keratin which are combined with the skin's oils for flexibility. Nails are dead (of course!) so once they have grown, you are only adding to/stripping away what is already there.
People's nail composition will vary (of course) some will be harder, others soft. Doing things which strip out the oils will tend to make nails more brittle and the layers more likely to separate - washing up, handwashing, handling paper etc. Not eating enough of the right natural oils/dietary components that help you to produce these will make them dryer too.
You can add oil via your diet (and indeed should, as it is good for you anyway, naturally), and topically as hand/nail cream and nail oils. Nail oils are usually the best way topically.
Soft nails can be strengthened either by providing "scaffolding" in the form of a polish which supports the nail plate, and/or a treatment polish which actually hardens the nail structure. The latter should not be overused, as it will eventually make the nails excessively brittle. Polish helps prevent the oils from leaving the nail. Normal, good quality polish should not damage the nail. Polish does not dry your nails - polish remover does, and they should be rewossnamed (Hydrated is not the right word...not sure what is!) after it's use.
Buffing and filing the nails appropriately will smooth and bevel then nail to encourage the layers to remain together, and remove rough bits which will then catch and tear. It also promotes good circulation to the nail bed to encourage healthy nail formation.
Ideally, diet should be good for the oils to be there in the first place, nails protected from excessive oil-stripping activities, oils added via creams/oils topically, nail buffed/filed to be smooth, polish/appropriate treatment applied to give additional strength/protection.
Good quality polishes are far less prone to chipping/peeling, and a smooth but slightly roughened surface (as for paint) will help it to adhere. Cleaning the nail plate with polish remover to remove dirt/oils etc on the plate, and removing dead skin with an appropriate implement will also assist. Nails can still be moisturised through polish, to a certain extent.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 07:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-13 08:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-14 09:03 am (UTC)Nail varnish has always made my nails a lot worse, so I never wear it. I went to a manicurist when I had the breaking nails, for advice, and she sold me a cuicle dream which totally solved all my hangnail problems, and also a nail cream which gradually improved the condition of my nails, and stopped them from flaking. I will check in the bathroom later and report back on what they were. Both were surprisingly cheap, and the total cost was well under £10.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-24 08:54 pm (UTC)You used to be able to get this great peel-off nail masque. It was goopy stuff that would dry into a gel, and you'd then peel it off leaving your nails and cuticles intensively moisturised. Then the gits stopped making it.