Mary first came in to the salon on the last day in January 2013. She had delayed in coming in to see me after she and I had a brief phone consultation right after Christmas of 2012. She told me that she had a New Year's resolution goal to have her own natural nails again but she really didn't think it was possible. She had been wearing acrylic nails for approximately 30 years. I told her that damage happens from the first time you apply artificial nails due to filing across the top of the nail and persists with fills and lifting. I told her that if she was interested in getting her own natural nails back, I could help her achieve that goal. I have seen all kinds of damage to the natural nail and, at the time, I was unaware of how chronically acute her nail condition was. Mary has been involved in the beauty industry and she had delayed in seeing me because she was embarrassed by her nails.
Day 1 - OMG!
She had told me her nails were bad, and when I saw them, all I could think of was how long this process would take. Mary had some of the worst damage I had seen in a long time and that damage was extensive! This was no easy fix and the biggest thing she needed from me was encouragement! 
The ring finger on her right hand was practically gone!I was truly concerned and told her that the most important thing she could do is to start treating her nails with Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Essential Oil) 2-3 times per day and use cuticle oil every day. I examined her ring finger and noticed that it hadn't gone down into the nail matrix yet, but it was daringly close! Any closer and a physician would definitely be required!
Her left hand was not as bad as her right but it still needed a lot of time to heal.
Mary's nail prognosis was hopeful but it would take time and patience for her to get her nails back, and it was still questionable on if there would be any permanent damage to the nail matrix.
Mary's nails were thin and ragged so I gently filed the edges that had a little "white tip" with a 400 grit file to smooth the edges. I cleaned up her cuticle area and put some clear polish on what there was of her natural nails. Her home regimen included Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Essential Oil) 2-3 times per day, Cuticle Oil 1-2 times per day and a coat of clear polish every other day. She needed to come in about every 2 to 3 weeks for a manicure. I also told her that if she noticed any of her nails getting worse that what she saw currently or any infection getting worse, she needed to contact her physician. (Thankfully, that was unnecessary!)
Day 100 - Marked improvement!!!
I am amazed at the improvement, just with Tea Tree Oil. But now I notice another problem, and it is one that is common for this level of damage. Mary has a tendency to pick at her fingers, especially if she sees an imperfection. Mary's left hand is looking much better but her right is still suffering. Her ring finger (which was her worst case scenario on Day 1) looks better than her middle finger. Her middle finger has been the brunt of obsessive behavior because it is one of the prominent nails of her dominant hand. Now it's time for focus on maintenance instead of cures.
As I mentioned earlier, this is "no easy fix", this takes time and patience. In place of a regular top coat, I use a product I recently found at my local Sally Beauty Supply called Gelish Mini VitaGel Recovery
by Gelish brand Gel Polish. This product does need a UV or LED light to cure it but I found that it works fabulously for damaged or weak nails. I love the two different formulas, one is called Recovery and one is called Strength. If you don't have a UV or LED light, you can use Jessica Cosmetics Restoration, for post acrylic damage, or you can try Starting Over, a Salon Sciences brand that you can purchase through your local Sally Beauty Supply.When the nails look like they do at this stage, they still need a lot of care. The nails need to remain covered with a strengthener made for recovering nails and remain covered for the duration of the regrowth.
I don't hear from Mary for a while again. Finally, when I do hear from her, it is to take pictures of her nails again and the growth she has achieved! I can hear the excitement in Mary's voice.
Day 200 - All I can say is WOW!
Mary is in awe of how strong her nails are and how great they look. She never thought her nails could be this strong!
Mary's nails are now on the road to permanent recovery! There is still some issues that need to be addressed, but her nails are strong, resilient and they look so-o-o much better than they did when she first came in. Mary's nails can only get better from here and it is always gratifying to see the transformation from disaster to healthy nails!
Check out the right hand!!! Amazing! Isn't it?!
According to Mary, her nails have never looked this great or have they been this strong! She says her nails were always weak and flimsy, now they are strong, yet flexible and withstand breakage even if she is a little hard on them.
PATIENCE!
After patience, the three most important topical items for artificial nail recovery are;
- Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Essential Oil) - great for damage recovery because it prevents and helps to heal bacterial and some fungal infections.
- Post Recovery Nail Strengthener - gotta keep those nails covered to minimize nail anomalies and irregularities. There is also a gel polish called Recovery, by Gelish, that can help with covering and strengthening the natural nail. However, a UV lamp and regular and proper removal of the gel polish is required.
- Cuticle Oil - to keep the cuticles smooth and the natural nails hydrated and flexible. Of course, I recommend Bella10 CutiOil because of it's all natural blend that softens the cuticles and hydrates the nails. When used regularly, CutiOil will minimize breaking and peeling of the natural nails and help eliminate hangnails.
Artificial Nail Recovery IS Possible!!! If Mary can do it, so can you. All it takes is Patience and a little Perseverance! Take the challenge! Your nails can be better than they were before artificial nails!
For more tips on natural nail care, check out
8 Tips on How to Grow Your Nails Faster & Stronger
Thank you for posting this! I'm a little late to the game reading it, but it gives me hope! I have horrible nails...horrible. I've always been ashamed and embarrassed of them. Mine is not only due to artificial nails. When I was younger, my hand was locked in a car door and obviously damaged the nails. To add insult to injury, I've always been a nailbiter, but it got worse after that. While nailbiting is not so much the problem now, it definitely doesn't help! However, the picking at imperfections thing really rang true for me, which ends up always making things worse. You are probably nowhere near Chicago and I don't know any nail techs who wouldn't look at my fingers. Everytime I go for a pedicure, my mother brings up my nails and I feel so ashamed, I'm afraid to even ask! Any other tips you can suggest would be greatly appreciated! I'm massaging the tea tree oil and cuticle oil daily. Headed to Sally Beauty for the strengthener after work, but I'm hesitant about the manicure. I plan on talkin' to my mother's best friend who is currently going to school for the same. Any tips to pass on to her would be great!
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks for posting this...gave me a little hope that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel and that I can have nice natural nails someday!
Don't be too hard on yourself and your nails Stupid Cupid! I've had many clients like you who, with a little care, made their nails more presentable than they ever thought they could. Don't be embarrassed and go get a basic manicure or give yourself one. A simple manicure can dress up the worst nails. And yours could not have been worse than this case.
ReplyDeleteIf you still have a nail infection, continue with the tea tree oil. If not, just do a cuticle oil daily. Keep polish on them regularly.
It never hurts to start a good habit, a manicure, regular cuticle oil and hand cream, and keeping your nails polished, even if it is just a clear coat.
If you would like to find a good salon for a manicure in the Chicago area, I recommend going to http://safesalonrating.com/app/find.php for the best salons to go to.
To do your own manicure and for some helpful hints on what to do for your own nail care, look a little more through this blog or check out my book "The Secret to Beautiful Natural Nails" which can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookseller. It can also be purchased through http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0049911049/The-Secret-to-Beautiful-Natural-Nails.aspx
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ReplyDeleteWOW, thank you so much for that post. I have also horrible nails... Not only I can't stop biting them but I have been wearing artificial nails for a long time now (15 years). Now, I want to get my natural nails again but they are so horrible. I am ashamed of showing my hands and some people try to stare at them as if I was a monster. It is so embarrassing and shameful. I bought everything you mention in your post. Now, I must stop putting my fingers in my mouth... as for some reason, each time I feel something like a nail thread or a dead skin, I have to tear it off... I decided not to use my teeth to do anything any longer but to use a clipper that will cut instead of tear... I push my cuticles very regularly but lately, they are stuck on the bed nail and that bothers me because I am the impression that it avoid the proper growth. I keep pushing them though and I cut the dead skin. I know that it will take time to fully recover. Fortunately, my nails are not as bad as your pictures but still. Some of my nails have bumps because I filed them and the nails were so thin and weak, when you file them, they grow thicker. As a result, they have bumps and like holes and it is what make them so ugly... I wish I could wear gloves all day... but working a lot on computer, it is not possible at all... I try to give myself a manicure every week. I forgot to mention that, on top of the products you mention, I also purchased some Mavala products that are also excellent for damaged nails.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to ask an important question. Is there a nail polish that is not shiny as the shine attracts people attention and it is NOT what I want. Or, what/how would you take off the shine from the nail protector ? I tried to buffer my nails with a lime but I am afraid to remove the UV Gel like protection.
ReplyDeleteHi Flocon. It sounds like you are doing some of the most important things when taking care of your nails. Giving yourself regular manicures is important. I understand how hard it is to stop the habit of biting your nails and cuticles but you seem to be on the right track. Keep up the good work! I must say that your cuticles will not impede the growth of your fingernail and pushing the cuticle back makes your nail more groomed and clean. Use a cuticle remover to gently push them back. Try not to cut your cuticle too much as it does protect your nail from infection. You can also use a matte nail polish over your gel polish to camouflage the shine on your nails. This should detract attention. Let me know if you need more help.
ReplyDeleteHi, I've damaged my nails after prolonged use of acrylics. They've all been removed bow and I am treating with tea tree oil and bio oil everyday. I'm so glad I've seen this as I'm so worried about my thumb nail. It's split from root to tip and very short exposing my nail bed. It isn't sore. I am worried it will never grown back in one nail again. How can you tell if the matrix has been damaged?
ReplyDeleteHi Jo C. If the split goes below the cuticle level, the matrix may be permanently damaged. If the split starts above the cuticle level, you may be able to grow it out. Also, take notice if there is a ridge in your nail where the split is. If there is a ridge there, do NOT buff the ridge out. Buffing down the ridge will keep creating the split. Keep treating your nails with tea tree oil and a good cuticle oil twice daily. And the next time you are at the doctors office, I would inquire from him/her if they think the damage is permanent. Also, check out my blog on Nail Ridges. http://bella10.blogspot.com/2012/11/why-do-i-have-nail-ridges.html
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes I will have to see my doctor I think :(. Thank you for your advice.
DeleteTanq so much for your post.. I have okay nails but not very strong,, it keeps splitting in the ends and a layer on edge of the nail is very week hence im worried.. I wud like to have good nails, looking good all the time.. sometimes i hide my hand wen i c some beautiful nails and clear skin of my friends.. Please suggest.. and also the skin on my hand is dark and looks like wrinkles..
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