Any nail techies/experts around?

Silaqui

Hi there,

I'm just after a bit of advice really. I've been a nail biter for about 24 years and have now been stopped for 8 weeks. My nails are surprisingly strong, considering, but the nails on my little finger and ring finger of each hand (and to a lesser extent my thumbnails) have grown in 'ski jumps'.

I've done a bit of research and apparently this is just a natural thing with how the nails grow (I can believe this as my toenails are the same!), but has probably been accentuated by the 'lump' I left when i bit my nails so far down.

Anyway, to the point - is there any way of lessening the ski jump look and training my nails to a more natural shape? Or am I just stuck with them?

Thanks

Silaqui
x

nikki2804

I am assuming that you are referring to ridges in the nail? They are caused by damage to the nail plate (mine are horrendous just now due to pregnancy and being ill!) The best way to get rid of these is weekly manicures (diy not salon - think mse lol) and use a good buffer. It will take a while to see results and please resist the temptation to buff your nails every day as this will thin the nail plate giving you sensitive nails.

HTH

Silaqui

Hi Nikki, thanks for replying!

It's not ridges, they kind of grow upwards off the end of the nail? You know how most peoples nails sort of grow straight out and slightly curve over, well mine grow in an upwards slope.

Since I've stopped biting I've been putting the mavala cuticle cream on every night, and doing a little home manicure like you say (I find that if I keep fiddling with them it stops the urge to bite them!) I also use a strengthening undercoat on them. I don't have a buffer though I tend to just use cotton wool wrapped around a stick to rub the cream in, does this do the same job?

Should I just keep going with this do you reckon?

Thanks

welshmoneylover

I got ski jump nails and I've had them all my life but they don't really cause me any problems.

However, I also got them on my big toe and after a while my toes hurt and they have been known to wear through to make little holes in my shoes which gets on my wick a bit. I can't wear high heels because of them, it is so painful lol

Silaqui

I have them all my toes welshmoneylover! On my middle toe it virtually grows straight upwards and I know what you mean about the little holes they rub into the shoes. I just keep them really short and cut them straight across and it doesn't cause so much of a problem.
(lol so embarassing admitting to that hehe)

freyasmum

I'm afraid there's not a lot you can do - short of having them enhanced.

After the years of nail biting, the tips of your fingers will have been affected and the nail will have to grow over the slightly 'bulbous' (sorry, what a horrible word ) tip.

nikki2804

Silaqui wrote: »

Hi Nikki, thanks for replying!

It's not ridges, they kind of grow upwards off the end of the nail? You know how most peoples nails sort of grow straight out and slightly curve over, well mine grow in an upwards slope.

Since I've stopped biting I've been putting the mavala cuticle cream on every night, and doing a little home manicure like you say (I find that if I keep fiddling with them it stops the urge to bite them!) I also use a strengthening undercoat on them. I don't have a buffer though I tend to just use cotton wool wrapped around a stick to rub the cream in, does this do the same job?

Should I just keep going with this do you reckon?

Thanks

No problem

Although cotton wool wrapped around an orange stick will help to imrpove your cuticles its not the same as buffing. A buffer can normally be bought in the likes of Boots, Superdrug etc and looks like this ...

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/royal-4-step-nail-buffer-block_1_152036.html

Sorry couldn't think how to describe it. :rotfl:

As long as you keep them manicure then they should become something your happy with. Why not splurge on a lil treat the a manicurist and watch what they do, then copy it. That way they can give you first hand advice on what to do (its hard to advise when I can't see it )

Ive seen people come to me with 'spoon' shaped nails and even these have been greatly improves with lots of TLC.

HTH

Silaqui

Thanks both,

yep Freyasmum I think that's what it is - the lump of skin at the end is kind of forcing it to grow over - although its only really the ring and little fingers that it's happening on.

Thanks Nikki, I'll try and get one of those next time I get to boots. I'm planning on treating myself to a manicure for the run up toChristmas so I'll take note of what they do! Thanks for all the replies

xx