Nail recovery after acrylics.

Jariya

I am after some advice on 'nail recovery' after having acrylic nails.

I am in desperate need!!!

I've got weak thin nails and always have had - my thumbs nails are fine..it's just the other nails which are the problem.

I resorted to acrylics several years ago - this was before we had nails salons everywhere they were a silly price back then too and took about 3 hours to get done! Cost was about £50 for a full set..ouch!

I have had times when I've decided to ditch the acrylics (I now use a place nearby which is much cheaper - £22 fro a full set.).

I always go back to them though and it's almost an addiction because my own nails look so horrible.
I am also really useless at painting them myself - even with a corrector pen I end up taking off the good bit as well as the bit I want to correct!

I ditched the acrylics again a few weeks back so have managed to save..well..only £20 in the past two months with not having them re-done. I will confess why in a sec...*blushes*

So they were about halfway grown out - the damaged part that is...but they looked dire and were seriously weak!

Numpty (me) today gave in!
I have a wedding to go to tomorrow and I have this week been trying to paint them or make them just look acceptable - to no avail.
I ended up getting acrylic overlays this morning with a dark colour on top and a glittery polish on top of that plus a top coat - they now look lovely again. *grins*.....

BUT!!! I am bored stupid with the time it takes to get them done, I want to not have a 'need' to keep getting them done - but most of all I want to get some advice on what to do to have better nails of my own and to be able to 'get through' the part where the damaged bit is growing out and not give in again as it costs so much!
If I could only get my own nails to be of a decent ish shape just to be at the ends of my fingers and rounded I'd be happy.
The thing is though that even when the damaged bit grows out..I have got to that stage a few times in the past - my nails are still so thin and flaky and bendy - so I end up getting the fakes done again.

I know some of this is willpower..the wedding tomorrow did break that in me..I admit!

I know I can't paint them myself..I have tried so many times.
I've never been able to achieve this. I don't and never hate bitten my nails either.

My mum had quite good nails - she passed away just before my 18th birthday. I am now 42..I wish I had asked her about what she did with her nails - I missed out on that as I didn't have enough time with her.

Any suggestions on nail strengthening things I could try to help me stick with no more fakes after my (hopefully) last time of having fakes done today?

money_honey

I feel for you, I went through the same when I stopped having them done! I think it took them around 6 months to get to a nice condition. I used the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails religiously and eventually my nails became ok. I've heard the Sally Hansen Miracle Cure is really good too. My nails are quite strong now and I try to keep them filed to a decent length all the time so they have less chance to break, and I use the Hard as Nails most of the time anyway as a clear varnish.

Hope you manage to get through it, and your nails become better in the end!

Bubby

Although I am a nail biter:o:o I actually know how to take good care of nails and helped a good friend grow out her damage after acrylics.

Every day she massaged almond oil into her cuticles, she used hand cream daily and she used the sally hansen diamond hard and also the opi strengthening nail polish (I can't remember the name). keep a nail file handy and file them down so they can grow without breaking and instead of getting acrylics why don't you treat yourself to a manicure once a month?

lessonlearned

OK - I am a trained beauty therapist and I loathe acrylic nails because of the damage they cause.

Remember it takes roughly six months for a nail to grow so you are going to have to be patient. I'm afraid there are no quick fixes.

Keep them short, an oval shape is the best shape because they don't break quite so easily. Keep a file handy to remove any rough edges so they don't tear.

Would second the almond oil treatment and any of the nail hardening products available. When they are strong enough a little gentle buffing will encourage blood flow to the nail. This help deliver nutrients to the nail and encourage strong healthy growth.

Always wear rubber gloves when washing up and using any kind of detergent - very drying to the nails.

For painting - just use a clear or "nude" colour when you do it yourself.

Try and treat yourself to a professional manicure now and then - it will encourage you. Be sure to tell the technician what you are trying to achieve.

Good luck - you will just have to be patient. I'm afraid there are no real short cuts.

Jariya

Aw! Thanks everyone!

There's some really good advice there..looks like sticking to it and persevering is the way forward!
I haven't lasted 6 months without fakes for years..so I'll set myself a time frame...a realistic one!

I will take a look at some Sally Hansen nail hardeners and other bits and pieces you've mentioned and get some stuff in for when I need to start using it.

Two other questions..for the sake of my real nails do you think I'm better getting the acyrlic overlays soaked off or let them grow off/fall off?

Also, this thing about filing your nails in one direction which you always hear..does that mean one direction all the way around or one direction from side to middle? Yes I know this sounds dumb but whenever I go to a nail bar they don't seem to do any of that - probably because acrylic is such tough stuff!

Bubby

I would say grow the acrylics off but I am not a therapist so am not sure what the best thing to do is

money_honey

Personally I'd get them soaked off, only because when they're growing out you might be tempted to have them redone!

Filing in one direction - my sister is a beauty therapist and she says one direction from side to middle, so that's what I do (sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!)

Clarabow_2

<-- post acrylic wearer.

Can I recommend Nail Envy strengthener. I had rubbish nails, hence the acrylics even worse when they were taken off. Have them soaked off professionally reduces the damage caused by prising them off.

Nail envy I found was the only strengthener that did anything for my nails. Now keep them shortish and painted a dark polish, many layers and they look fab.

Good luck not easy to wean off the addiction x

Jariya

Thanks!

I have decided I will get them soaked off and as a treat type beginning (in an attempt to make me stick with this) I think I'm going to get the nail bar to make them look as good as they possibly can.
So..I'll check a few reviews on the products people have suggested and take some nail hardener stuff with me plus a colour too and then I can add the hardener over the colour as directed.

They won't look perfect - but they'll be protected and covered up - better than bare scruffy nails for me.

The worst bit for me is those first few weeks of the damage growing out as that is when I cave in to the addiction!

I've been having a quick look as the products mentioned and also spotted Nailoid - I remember them of old! Their stuff seems to have some good reviews too plus they're cheaper.
I'm going to have a good look around today

EthelBloggs

I had same problem as you OP after acrylics and the best thing I've used is Nailtiques formula 2.

I now have strong nails which are very long (my choice) and haven't broken one since I've started using it.

I got it from amazon, I think it was around £15 but sooooo worth it!

lessonlearned

Hi there again - didn't realise Nailoid were still around. Where have you seen it.

If they still do it I can thoroughly recommend a pinkish gel/jelly stuff they used to do - a bit similar to Vaseline in consistency. You massage it in to your nail each night. It's good stuff.