HELP! Brittle nails!

[#1]

Hello!  So my nails have become VERY brittle lately and I seem to get a new break or tear once or twice a week (and they tear in AWFUL places like the middle of my nail).  I have an auto-immune disorder (thyroid disease) which can sometimes cause this, as well as a deficiency in B12.  I'm currently taking medication and vitamins to help combat this, but I was wondering if there was any product I could apply to my nails (other than lotion or cuticle gel) to help strengthen them and protect them from breakage.  Also, can you recommend any product to help repair the break until it grows out long enough for me to file it down?  I've tried one brand of nail glue, and it didn't last long at all.  I also went to the salon and had my nail patched, but that didn't last long either and it's expensive.  Any suggestions would be helpful!

[#2]

I understand your suffering, I have thin nails genetically (my mom had them also) and it's a pain. I have had some success repairing a nail by using nail glue and a piece of really thin paper as a reinforcement. I made a really skinny strip of really thin tissue paper, put a drop of nail glue on the split nail, then put the little piece of paper in the glue drop on my nail and wrapped the end under the edge of my nail for extra support. Then I used base coat, polish and top coat as usual. It lasted a week and I wash my hands a lot and am very active. I've had salons try to fix splits and their repair didn't last any longer than my cheap one. 

Good luck, I wish I had the supreme fix-it for you. 

[#3]

HI babybear04,

I have an issue with my thyroid and know entirely how you feel! My nails and hair are very prone to splitting and thinning and just being fragile in general.

Try a basic vitamin B supplement you can add to your diet which helps strengthen the hair and nails and are usually safe enough to take with any medications (check with your doctor or endocrine specialist just to be safe!)

Adding calcium will help the nails (drinking milk or cheese, or calcium vitamins) as will a strengthening nail treatment or base. I REALLY like the Butter London matte base which mattifys the nails and helps protect them from splitting, or the Butter London Hardwear top coat too. I also like the Nails Inc Kensington Caviar conditioning top coat which helps protect brittle nails from chips and splits.

[#4]

With nail stregthning products of any sort, it's always hit or miss.  Some don't work at all, some work for short term, etc.  For protection in the long run, my boyfriend's mom had a layer of acrylic (just the acrylic; not the fake nail tips) applied over her naturally long nails.  She had this done to protect them from breaking at the base of the tip, especially while working.  Maybe giving that a shot could help out some?

[#5]

Dior Abricot Nail Creme. Its the absolute best. Use a little every night and rub it in. Holy Grail Nail Product.

[#6]

I would have to recommend overlays, when done right they are very thin and natural looking and great for always having on your nails when they are thin, it's a super thin layer of acrylic over your natural nail, and all you would need to do is maintain getting fills which aren't that expensive and are worth it to not have to fuss with your nails anymore.

[#7]

My nails used to be HORRIBLY brittle and flakey, and it was heartbreaking.  I've got advice for you!

1.  Keep your cuticles hydrated!  Invest in a good cuticle cream/oil.  Even old, expired eye cream works wonders! 
2.  Do not use clippers to cut your nail.  Only use a file, and only file in one direction to prevent snagging points.
3.  Stop using your nails as tools!  Maybe that works for someone with super strong nails (ie, my boyfriend), but that doesn't work for me!  Be vigilant.
4.  Invest in a nail strengthener BASE COAT.  A hard topcoat is fine, but it won't actually help your nail grow stronger.  And when you apply, make sure to wrap around the free edge.
5.  A brittle but polished nail is stronger than a bare, brittle nail. Repair chipped polish quickly.
6.  Stop using 100% acetone to remove nail polish, unless you have to (glitters, etc).
7.  To repair a crack, apply nail glue and add fine layer acrylic powder on top, then finish with another layer of nail glue.  Once you buff this smooth, the break is repaired and it will last through a polish change.  This isn't like a bulky acrylic nail, it's super thin but strong.  I use this trick all the time on the side of my thumb, which always seems to tear..
8. Take multivitamins.  Vitamin deficiencies often manifest in hair/nail conditions before they become evident elsewhere.
9.  Be patient.  It will take time for the weak areas to grow out, but you will see strength in a short while.

[#8]

Hi Babybear04,

Have you tried using the Perfect Formula Gel Coat? It is made with keratin which is naturally found in our nails. It hardens and also strengthens them.

http://www.sephora.com/gel-coat-P269700?skuId=1290071

[#9]

All these products that every else above me recommended works amazingly well, but I don't have money to spend on expensive products. I really like Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. On clean, not polished nails, spread a thin layer on the nails and then put gloves on to help it absorb (leaving it on at night is a good time period and so its not weird to be wearing gloves ) I hope this works well for you!

[#10]

Try rubbing aloe vera oil on your nails once a night.