General Chat

As a teenager, (A long time ago) I read a hint in a magazine about using potato peelings to strengthen nails. Rub the nails on the inside of the peeling and the starch is supposed to help harden them. I do this every time I peel the spuds and whether it's mind over matter or not, I do have long, strong nails.

CB thanks for posting this thread. I have exactly the same problems so am now dashing out to Boots before you deplete all the supplies! I'll just scoff some jelly cubes before I go! Daisy

Thank you to all contributors. I'll certainly have a go at the suggestions I've not already tried. Unfortunately, I do have absorption problems and I'm lactose intolerant, so some of the suggestions probably won't work, but I have always eaten a varied diet and eat very little processed food. I also have quite sensitive skin. It's very thin on my hands and splits on the knuckles in very cold weather, in spite of lots of handcream applied after every washing. Using rubber gloves for any length of time makes my hands sore, so I tend to wear cotton ones to do dirty chores. I think the answer is, I'm just an old wreck! LoL CB >|<

Hi CB, I'd never been able to grow my nails, alway envious very envious of others who had beautiful, long nails. About three Christmas's ago I decided to treat myself, to a full set of acrylic tips. They harden them with gel infils, so they won't break. Once the tips have grown up and off, you're left with your own long nails. Just go back every 3 weeks to have the infills done. Perfect nails, all the time, the easy way! Debbie

Rubber gloves and a good varied diet. Its as simple as that I'm afraid CB. Are you ill at all? Do you need to take tablets for any reason? Because they will affect your hair and nails. Deanna x

Funny how the raw jelly one is still about. I used to eat that as a small child, still eat jelly. Not suitable for vegetarians though suspect the gelatine is the helful ingredient. And as Lindy says milk helps, and yes skimmed does have a higher percentage of calcium. I've got fairly soft nails, but they don't tear. Ros

I bit my nails from day one, until the minute I left school! I scratched my head about a week after I left school, and for the first time ever, it worked!! I was thrilled to bits, shows how much I loathed school! Anyway, since then, have regular manicures, always wear rubber gloves for housework and put on hand and nail cream every night.

avon do a good product I think its called extreme lengths....... I have mine Gel coated, every 3 weeks, makes them incredibly strong, but you have to keep it up, sometimes a bit expensive

Hi CB. As you know Sasha cannot absorb things very well so she has a few problems,However,I buy her'Vasaline Intensive Care' hand and nail cream,its in a 'Pink Container'or Sachet. Usually from Tesco or Sainsburys,It seems to work for her. Best wishes Hal.

Rimnel do a good product called Nail Repair. My nails are fantastic since using this. Two coatings. Sylvia xxx

Hi CB, I use cuticle oil on mine every week and also rub nail strengthening paste into them when I give them their weekly manicure. I avoid housework, gardening, cooking and anything else that may damage them! Seriously though, good nails take work when you get to a certain age. I've had talons almost all my life but they are getting harder and harder to maintain. Gwynne x

CB Jen has forgotten that I have lovely nails! I stick them on in the morning!! lol Kim x

Skimmed milk has the most calcium in it than other milks. Anne :)))

Don't try growing them for a few weeks after you start taking the supplements, keep them at finger-tip level. Massage the base of your nails everyday (an electric toothbrush is good) as it stimulates the circulation. When you file them, only rub one way, not back and forth because it weakens them. Nails which are filed regularly grow faster, so do it once a week. Don't wear nail polish every day and use nail polish remover sparingly.

CB Since I started my diet five weeks ago I drink two glasses of skimmed milk a day (hate the stuff so I mix it with coffee) my nails have hardened and are growing without tearing. Lindy;-))

ermmmm.... CB wat are fingernails lol i have bitten mine for as long i can remember,im 46 now!!! oh how i wish i could stop. susie

Thanks Buttercup! Yes, I read about housework in a magazine once. Must try it sometime! LMHO Thank you too, other ladies. I can see I'm going to stagger out of our local branch of Boots with a trolleyful of stuff! Hope some of it works. If I suddenly disappear from GR, you'll know why - I've rubbed tablets on my nails and drunk the oils and the nail varnish! Now, who's going to be the first to say I'll have a beautiful finish?!!! CB >|<

Slather on a rich cream at night, and wear cotton gloves. And always wear rubber gloves when doing housework. I dont do either but I read that in a magazine! lol BC

Hi CB I have the same problem with my nails but they improved greatly when it was discovered that my iron levels were extremely low and I started taking iron tablets (yuk!). I also bought some very good stuff in Boots called Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle, and that works too (for when I get fed up with the iron tablets!). Mandy :)

I take oil of evening primrose!!! my nails grow lovely, and my hair has thickened, i used to have soft nails and very fine hair, not anymore!! also oep is supposed to keep wrinkles at bay Love Helenxx