topic Re: My poor damaged nails in Beauty

My poor damaged nails

smoochy — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:45:57 GMT

remember I recently had my gels removed and want to maintain my natural nails to save money. But holy cats. Look at them. Peeling, paper thin. Ragged cuticles. Ug-lee !! I guess i had forgotten how damaging it is to have nail enhancements. The finished look is so pretty ya know?

Need encouragement not to hop in my car and head to the nail salon for a new set......

Been filing w emery boards. Would a glass file be better?

Re: My poor damaged nails

Nonametoday — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:52:59 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
remember I recently had my gels removed and want to maintain my natural nails to save money. But holy cats. Look at them. Peeling, paper thin. Ragged cuticles. Ug-lee !! I guess i had forgotten how damaging it is to have nail enhancements. The finished look is so pretty ya know?

Need encouragement not to hop in my car and head to the nail salon for a new set......
Been filing w emery boards. Would a glass file be better?

It's been 18 years since I removed my gels and my nails are damaged beyond repair and I have taken vitamin D3 and B12 weekly (D3) (monthly injectable B12) without any noticable difference. In fact, I have one that is split down the middle and is still wide open. Has been that way for 18 years. Dermatologists and doctors told me I would have to have the nail removed in order to repair it totally.

Re: My poor damaged nails

DREAMON — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:59:31 GMT

They honestly don't look that bad to me.

I think they will be fine when they grow out and all the new growth replaces the nail.

Maybe the nail product on the Q will help.

Re: My poor damaged nails

Zhills — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:12:01 GMT

Looks like my nails. Never had strong nails. I found that Salon nails were ruining my nails. They file them down, not short, everytime! They got so thin, one time actually hurt! That was the last one!

This Ruby stone file is great. Keeps mine smooth and "groomed" even though they are short. Patience, Lady, Patience!

Give them a couple of months. If necessary, apply a clear or soft pink polish!

Put some oil on them! Helps "peeling."

I think they look "natural"...just different to you. Your hands are lovely!

Re: My poor damaged nails

Carmie — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:20:32 GMT

They don't look too bad, I have seen worse. Yes, use a glass nail file and don't saw. Only file in one direction.

Use cuticle oil and a clear topcoat to protect the nail surface. Wear gloves when washing dishes or dipping your hands into detergents.

The damage will grow out in a few months.

Re: My poor damaged nails

Traceybakes — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:22:16 GMT

You can do this! Give your nails some time to recover. Maybe find a nice rich cuticle cream or oil. Gently push your cuticles back- can be easier to do after you shower or bathe. I've had success with Perfect Formula gel coat. It protects your nails and helps brighten them up. Q sells. It's not actually gel polish like you are trying not to use. I also love a glass file. So much smoother than typical files. Good luck on your natural nail journey!

Re: My poor damaged nails

smoochy — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:25:24 GMT

@Zhills youre so sweet, thank you. All right i will stay the course. Oil-yes definitely. Thanks for the nail file suggestion

@DREAMON thanks 😊 for the encouragement

Speaking of qvc products...where is the TIPS lady when I need her, with her oil drenched rock hard nails banging on that board haha who remembers?

Re: My poor damaged nails

smoochy — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:27:27 GMT

@Traceybakes wrote:
You can do this! Give your nails some time to recover. Maybe find a nice rich cuticle cream or oil. Gently push your cuticles back- can be easier to do after you shower or bathe. I've had success with Perfect Formula gel coat. It protects your nails and helps brighten them up. Q sells. It's not actually gel polish like you are trying not to use. I also love a glass file. So much smoother than typical files. Good luck on your natural nail journey!

I always wondered if emery boards were actually damaging the nail edge by making tiny nicks. . Im going to buy a glass file. Thx for your suggestions

Re: My poor damaged nails

JudyL — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:40:37 GMT

They look pretty good to me. Keep them trimmed short, use a cuticle cream and let them grow out.

Re: My poor damaged nails

goldensrbest — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:43:57 GMT

Try bona fide nail files ,on amazon, and a good nail moisturizer.

Re: My poor damaged nails

Pecky — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:48:32 GMT

I have been using this A695926 for two months now and my nails never looked better. They are hard and do not split anymore.

Re: My poor damaged nails

Sooner — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:56:04 GMT

@smoochy To be honest, I like the look plain look in the OP better than overly long, especially sharp, nails. To me it says you probably do a lot of interesting things!

Re: My poor damaged nails

Effie54 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:13:46 GMT

@smoochy I totally understand as I've been through the same thing. I had the gel nails for years.....until I went back to college to finish up. I didn't have time with a full schedule for the upkeep. Also, my natural health professor told me to get them off as the chemicals can be toxic over time. I had them taken off...I had peeling stubs for months. It took time, but my natural nails grew back. Your nails don't look bad at all. But give it time...

Re: My poor damaged nails

drizzellla — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:26:26 GMT

@DREAMON wrote:
They honestly don't look that bad to me.
I think they will be fine when they grow out and all the new growth replaces the nail.
Maybe the nail product on the Q will help.

I am with you @DREAMON .

My index finger and my thumb nails are little stubs, from using them for too many things. The other nails look fine.

@smoochy I would love to have nails that look like yours. I can't wait to see what they look like in a few weeks.

Re: My poor damaged nails

vegan4ever — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:40:10 GMT

Back in the 1990's stopped using acrylic nails never regretted my nails weak in few months with simple care and patients time my nails were strong short my preferred style. Like everyone mentioned your nails look nice lovely hands remember wear rubber gloves washing dishes or cleaning protection for your hands and nails.

Re: My poor damaged nails

smoochy — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:49:16 GMT

ok ladies your responses convinced me that natural is better and healthier. I will be patient. I've put argan oil on them. Going to look into that nail system @Pecky posted

Re: My poor damaged nails

Neetgal2 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:58:38 GMT

I have had luck with Sally Hansen products or on the Q, Perfect Formula. My hands are constantly in water. I only used gel polish for about two years once, over 15 years ago, did not hurt my nails.

Re: My poor damaged nails

vegan4ever — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:07:01 GMT

@smoochy - keep wanting to tell you...love your cute avatar. 🤗

Re: My poor damaged nails

LuvmyLab — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:08:09 GMT

In my opinion, your nails do not look bad at all. When I had my gel nails removed many years ago my nails looked like they’d been run over by a truck. They were horrible and it took forever to get them to look like real nails again. I will never do any type of fake nails again.

Re: My poor damaged nails

Coastalcarolina — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:09:22 GMT

I have never had acrylic, dips or gel nails. I used to be so envious of ladies with their beautiful manicures. So perfect and lasted longer than at home polish.

Later on, I heard about the damage it does to the nail bed. So glad that I didn't have the extra money to do that then. I know I would have been hooked. Best of luck on your nails.