Beauty

[ItsME]

HI.  I started swimming a couple of months ago, and am now having problems with my nails being soft and breaking.  I'm very, very allergic to many things, and can't wear nail polish, but am hoping some of you might have ideas of what I can do to condition them and them them deal with the chlorine.  I already take Lessman's HSN.

Thanks!

[qualitygal]

You'd have to research this stuff and see if you can use this but I still, get the nail conditioner from the Q called, TIPS. Best stuff ever for me. Used it for years now.

[CritterKeeper]

Nailtiques had been my saving grace. My nails were breaking and splitting terribly. I started using nailtiques formula 2 and they are so much better. I apply it once a week. It's a bit pricey, but worth it.

Also applying coconut oil after your shower/bath helps with moisture.

I also take biotin suppliments (due to thining hair) but it seemed to help my nails, as well.

Good luck!  :-)

[ChynnaBlue]

Normally I'd recommend Nailtiques, but that's a treatment polish, so if you can't use polish, that won't work for you.

Unfortunately, a nail's worst enemy is water, even without chlorine. Water alone weakens nails. You might want to try rubbing a cuticle oil into the nail and cuticles before AND after you swim, as well as before bed. That may help prevent some of the damage.

You might also look into Dermanail, a treatment that isn't a polish and goes directly on the nail plate. It takes months to really show effect, but it might help. I would use that at night before bed and before using the cuticle oil again. You can buy Dermanail from Amazon.

[ItsME]

Thanks!  i remember TIPS from a long time ago.  I'll check it out.

[ItsME]

Thanks @CritterKeeper.  I'll look into both, but the oil might be a better bet with my sensitivities.  I can only imagine how bad my nails would be now if I wasn't taking Lessman's HSN!

[tedEbear]

  You might try KNOX gelatin, in the baking section. It has been used for years as a nail and hair growth help, along with all types of baking.----------tedEbear

[ItsME]

@ChynnaBlue, thank you.  I'll check out teh Dermanail.  The water isn't so great for hair either!  I got back into the pool because I hurt my back a couple of months ago.  It's great for the body, just not the exterior!  I've been doing the breaststroke to preserve my hair, but yesterday I just wet my hair down with tap water first, and went for a real swim.  It was so great!  I'll probably end up pretreating my hair in some way, as well as my nails. It just can't be too obvious to those around me, or I'll be banned from the pool.

[ItsME]

@tedEbear, I remember KNOX!  Haven't thought about it in years.  I'll have to check it out.  Thanks!

[emma bunting]

Try applyng Solar Oil a few times a day to your nails and cuticles. I swear by this stuff!