[LM_NET] HIT - Off topic (fingernails)

[Ty & Carla Lawson <tckc7797@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

Thank you LM Net colleagues.  I received many good suggestions on how to strengthen 
my fingernails.  I have tried to combine some answers so the hit will not be so 
long.

 

1) Many suggested acrylic nails where you have to go back every two weeks for 
fills.  Someone added that even with acrylic nails you should keep them short and 
filed straight across.

 

2) Several others suggested a manicure on your own nails every two weeks helps.

 

3) Along that line another said: I have silk wraps put on my nails.  It is just a 
piece of silk applied to the nail with a manicure over it to seal it.  These things 
have saved my nails too many times to count.  I would much rather have the silk 
ripped off than my nail.

 

4) When one person couldn’t do the manicures this was her suggestion. All I do is 
file my natural nails until there is barely any white showing, then massage hand 
lotion into the nail beds a zillion times a day - annoying, not very pretty, and 
time consuming, but mostly effective.

 

5) Some suggested cutting the nails short and buffing them with buffing cream or 
powder instead of using nail polish.

 

6) This suggestion came from 2 people.  I'm using "T.I.P.S. 5 piece nail 
conditioning set" which I ordered from QVC.  The cost is about $30 for two bottles 
(small bottles) BUT they last forever.  I've been using this for about six months 
and my nails started growing stronger and longer within the first month. 
http://tinyurl.com/34jafj 

 

7) This idea came from 2 people as well:   My dermatologist told me to take Biotin. 
You can get them in the vitamin section at Wal-Mart or any other place

 

8) The only thing that has worked for me - after 20 years of working in

 libraries, keep them short - right at fingertip. Use vitamin E oil daily massaged 
into the cuticles - and don't forget lots of hand lotion - throughout the day!  
Don't forget to take your calcium supplements & other multivitamins, too.

 

9) I recently started using a nail hardener that seems to be helping.  The one I 
bought at Walgreens is called "Nutra Nail 5 to 7 days Growth Calcium Formula".

 

10) I have used a wonderful product called Nailactan by a company called Mavala 
(based in Switzerland.

 

11) Two suggested this:  Use gloves more when cleaning books, dust can do a number 
on hands, and the frequent hand washing gets drying too... I keep hand cream in my 
desk. 

 

12) I have used this treatment I got in a kiosk in the mall called Jill Jordan and 
it is a kit of cuticle oil, nail file, buffer and lotion.  When I ran out of lotion 
I wanted to order just the lotion but of course I couldn't - had to order a whole 
new kit.  It was about $30 - not bad considering it lasts for about a year.  
However, then I got smart (after my 3rd purchase) Went to Sally's beauty supply - 
they have the same type of products you can buy separately for about half the 
price.  Buy cuticle oil and the 3 way buffer or a nail file that has a fine grain 
with a smooth surface and shine side to it (essentially the 3 way buffer and nail 
file in one).  Then get your favorite lotion to apply after the cuticle oil.  

 
  13) Avon has a great nail strengthener (green in color and there's also one in a 
black bottle) that I have used for years, and my nails are tough and withstand 
pretty much anything the library throws at me. Mary Kay also has a good nail 
strengthener.  If you don't want to go either route, go to Sephora or Ulta (both 
have online sites as well as Avon and Mary Kay), they have great stuff. 
   As a last resort, OPI also has great products and is available through most 
salons.

 

14) I noticed that not only did my fingernails break, but my cuticles were just 
horrible! So I started using a cuticle cream. The cuticle cream not only helped the 
cuticles, but it made my normally brittle nails more flexible and less likely to 
break. It also helps to keep your nails relatively short and square-ish.

 

15) I kept breaking my nails pulling up labels, so I bought the "Scotty

Peeler" [label peeler] at Highsmith for only five bucks and not only it

is very handy, but my nails are looking good as well.
   

16) There is a 3 piece set called NailTech or NailTek.  It is great!
  17) Try prenatal vitamins! Now that you can get them OTC you may find that they 
work wonders! When I was pregnant with my two kids I had nails that could saw 
through a tin can!

18) A friend who has great nails told me she cut her nails with a good nail clipper 
about every 3 weeks and only used a nail file when needed to repair a jagged edge.  
Also, if you wear nail polish (even clear) remove all nail polish and let your 
nails breath a few days every couple of weeks.  It took about a year, but since 
then I have very strong nails.  I do buff them regularly for a nice shine.
   

19) Yep it's a real problem.  I use Barielle products, hand cream. etc.

  http://www.barielle.com/.  I also use Opi's Nail Envy

 http://www.opi.com/  I have brittle, splitting nails regardless, but working with 
paper makes it worse.  Barielle really does make a difference and Nail Envy seems 
to help too.  Try to keep your hands moist, even if constantly using hand cream 
reminds you of your grandmother.
   
  So here is what I found out.  Good luck to all of you and may you have a great 
year as librarian wherever you are.  The most wonderful job in the world.

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