Question:
My nails are a little brittle and starting to peel.
Would it be wise to still go ahead and get arcrylic nails? I am upping my protien and adding extra vitamins. I am 3 months post-op and have lost 75 pounds. I feel good but my nails are looking rough. I would like to get them fixed up. Would the undergrowth of brittle nails prevent me from getting them or cause them to fall off? Any help is appreciated in advance. — Judith K. (posted on June 8, 2000)
June 8, 2000
Judith,
— livnliter
June 8, 2000
Judith,
In regards to the acrylic nails........have you had them before your
surgery? I have not had my surgery yet, but know I will have to take my
nails off prior to it. I have had them on for over a year now and my
natural nails are brittle and peel. I haven't had any problems getting
them to adhere and to stay on. It will drive me nuts not to have them on
until I can get back in to have them put back on. Hope this helps.
— livnliter
June 8, 2000
I had my acrylic nail taken off just before surgery and put back on soon
after. I have no problems with my nails falling off except when I need a
fill..They only down fall is that the nail underneath is weak...but thats
the fake nails...Get them done...make yourself feel good.
— Laurie B.
June 8, 2000
You shouldnt have any problems at all with getting the arcrylic nails put
on. Just be warned that they will not help strengthen your own nails.
Your own nails will become very weak with the fake nails on top. But hey
as long as you get the final effect that you want. I wear tips with
acrylic overlay. I love them! But also keep in mind that you will need to
get them filled every 2 weeks. I am lucky I can do them myself, although
sometimes I think it would be much more of a treat to have someone else do
them for me. If you are interested in just making your own nails stronger
there are tons of stuff on the market that you can buy to help, The one
thing that I have found that really works is Nail Envy by OPI, make sure
you follow the directions. it really works! Let me know if you have
anymore questions about your nails.
— Jennifer N.
June 8, 2000
I have always had thin, flexible nails with problems with peeling and
splitting. They have gotten worse since my surgery, and my right thumb nail
has a deep indentation across the middle of it that I think is related to
the surgery (I'm about 3 months postop.) I take all my supplements. I am
considering acrylic nails but I have never had them. I type for a living.
Would I be able to type with fake nails? I wouldn't get super long ones,
just mayby 1/8 of an inch past the tip of my finger. Plus, just how
damaging is it to the nail itself, and how do I go about finding a good
place to have them done? I've seen on tv, dateline or 20/20, where women
get really bad fungal infections and worse from improperly sterilized nail
tools. RSVP, thanks!
— Elizabeth M.
June 8, 2000
I think that any type of acrylic or gels glued to the nail damages the nail
and nail bed. I had it done once when I broke a nail and wanted 'perfect
hands'. They 'rough up' the surface of your existing nail by sanding it
down, making it weaker and thinner. If I can discourage you -- I'd like
to. How about getting a regular manicure instead - its much cheaper and
healthier and your nails will grow out stronger in no time. Keep polish on
them. Keep your hands moisturized -- rub oil into your cuticles and nail
bed. The acrylics eventually all have to come off -- and I don't know
anyone who wasn't sorry when they did.
— Toni B.
June 8, 2000
as a hairdresser/ nail tech I can assure you , if you are looking to
strengthen you nails acrylic is not the way to go. a very good produst that
you might try is Nail Tiks its a clear strenghtner, another one is
Revivanail.When people ask me if acrylic will harm the natural nail? My
response is If you had good nails you wouldn't need acrylic.Also my surgeon
does not require that they be removed, just no polish.
I am still pre-op. surgery date is July 7th
— STAR W.
June 8, 2000
I am a nurse and I have had acrylic nails for over 6 years. I keep them
short and well manicured. It is just something i do for myself. I have this
thing about fat people being well groomed. My nails have always been thin
and bend easily, then break off. Also i used to bite my nails.
I don't regret my nails, they are great My husband likes them too. They are
great back scratchers.
Also I have never had to have them taken off. That is an old wives tale.
See ya,
Sue
[email protected]
— Sue M.
June 8, 2000
My surgeon said I could keep my acrylic nails on during surgery, but to
remove the polish (didn't ask why). The new acrylic they use now is
absolutely crystal clear (my manicurist calls it 'crystal') and looks
completely natural even with no polish. I have had acrylic nails for about
ten years now and have never had any kind of problem with lifting or fungus
or breaking. Alot depends on the skill and competence of the manicurist.
Beware of shops that advertise that they are cheaper or quicker. Get a
recommendation from a trusted friend who has worn acrylics for a while. I
think you should make your hands look pretty. My nails always look
beautiful. The polish adheres to the acrylic so well that they never chip,
the polish stays fresh looking for the entire two weeks until I go in for
my fill. I'm spoiled rotten, and love it. I never have to file or fuss and
I always have my hands in dirt and paint and all kinds of stuff. My vote
is...go for it. We deserve pretty nails.
— Anne G.
June 8, 2000
I had really strong and healthy nails prior to my son being born. I spent
more time with my hands in water thus causing them to break. Arcrylic nails
will not make your nails stronger but to answer your question yes you can
get them. I would do what Star suggested and try to make them a bit
healthier first to avoid any further damage.
— Courtrina Amur W.
June 8, 2000
I don't know anything about acrylic nails but I do know that since I've
been taking biotin, zinc and a B-complex vitamin every day my nails are
growing like crazy! I take 300 mcg of biotin twice a day (one in the
morning and one at night), 50 mg of zinc (I split the tablet in half and
take 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night), B-complex (split in half), and 2
multivitamins (split in half, one in the morning and one at night). Hope
this helps.
— Kellie L.
May 31, 2001
I am a salon owner in Cleveland and NYC. I can tell you personally acryllic
nails do not strenghen the nail it self. They will actually cause more
damage to the nail bed when you remove them than before the nail were ever
put on. The acrylic will help the natural nail grow underneath. Thus only
as long as you keep getting your refills will you be ablet o keep your long
nails. Acryllic nails are not cheap. At my salon we charge 75.00 for a full
set and 45.00 for a refill. Which a refill is recommed every other week -
atleast. Invest in some vitamins and polish that will strengthen the nail,
not acrylics or any type of overlay.
— Denise M.
July 11, 2001
Hi Judith. I am a cosmetologist and I would highly recommed a polish
available at most salons called Revivanail, by European Touch. It costs
around $12 for a larger bottle, about 1 oz I think.(small ones are also
available cheaper) That is what I use and it really works! It's worth the
money and one bottle lasts a long time.
— Tara G.
October 22, 2001
I wore acrylic nails for about 15 years after having to remove them for the
surgery, I decided to go natural. Merle Norman's has a combination Protein
& Nail Hardner combination that you use everyday until gone (especially
formulated for people that always used acrylics) My nails are now better
than ever, strong, long, and no chipping or splitting. Bottles A & B
lasted for about 1 month. Then I went back and just purchased a bottle of
protein to be applied about 3x's a week. It's a miracle.
— Diana A.
October 9, 2002
Hi Judith: I am 11 weeks post-op and thought my hair and nails would be a
mess after surgery, wrong. I found that eating Jello was such a big help
believe it or not. My nails were longer and healthier than ever before,
and my hair grew like crazy. I have also heard that gelatin pills work
too. I'm not the biggest fan of Jello so I don't eat it now that I can
have "real food", but if you like it it can't hurt! Also the
Revivanail works great too!
— Heather W.
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