[I added some examples of products based off of requests 3/26/07. I kept getting requests for examples and possible specifics]

I have posted several posts in response to others about how to grow and nurture better nails. I think this is one thing I am known for in real life (others comment how long they are and how they cant get theirs that long), and on Susan's messageboard (I started a post called Long Nails at http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,660.0.html

I reproduce the posts I made at this site about nails and info about it. Here is the pictures of my current fingernails.

1.)This info bellow is the first informative post I made on Susan's Forumns at http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,183.msg3383.html#msg3383 concerning skin/lips/and nails

According to my text book on Cosmetology (Milady's Standard Cosmetology page 624)(I am summarizing important information not writing exactly everything)

The best way to support skin is to eat a proper diet (to help regulate hydration, oil production, and overall function of cells). Eat foods found in all three basic food groups. Fats, carbohydrates, and protiens.

Vitamins aid in healing, softening, and fighting diseases. Vitamins A, C, D, and E have been shown to have positive effects on  the skin's health. Internal is better than external, though external helps some. These are the main ingredients in most skin helping supplements, lotions, and revitalizers.

     Vitamin A -overall health of skin (health, function, and repair, antioxidant) , improves elasticity and thickness. In topical acid form it is main ingredient to Retin-A.

     Vitamin C- absorbic acid, repair, aids and speeds up healing, fights aging, promotes collagen (helps skin be healthy and firm)

     Vitamin D- healthy rapid healing skin, best source sunlight (limited), also helps bones (added to milk because of this)

     Vitamin E- tocopherol, with vitamin A helps fight UV rays,  great internally or externally, helps heal damaged skin (even burns)



Water- Drink Pure Water- take body weight divide by 2, then divide result by 8. example 160 pounds/2=80/8=10 glasses of 8 ounce  water; add 2 more if you do intense physical activity.


So first, eat well to create building blocks, drink Pure Water sufficient amount, take a multivitamin (helps with all basic vitamins), add supplements for A, C, D, and E internally

add lotions, conditioners, and nail oils/nutritions to troubled areas externally(find one best for you),

Nails- B vitamins, gelatin, and keeping them hydrated (oils, moisturizers, and sealer/protectors)


Besides trying to buy something to apply on to your skin, try internal solutions (which may be more effective). External lotions and skin care depends on your oil level (oily, dry, med), and need for other protections such as UV (out in sun all day, or skin problems (rashes, skin allergy, skin medical condition).

2.)Next post came in resonse to adding advice about what I know about strengthening nails from my "Long Nails" post also at Susan's. http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,660.msg10549.html#msg10549

[I will do this as sort of an informative post Cassandra, since there have been many posts related to nail strength, chipping, brittle, and such nails. I cant help with the bitting problem, which is more of a self-control/stress issue. All of this post can be negated however if in any type of work/hobby that can cause trauma to nails (aka you cant prevent nails from being broken if they are in a rough environment). Half of this information comes from a widely used nail advice list of common nail problem with no apparent documented origin stated, that is listed on hundreds of websites. So I can surmise that it is now common nail care knowledge. Before taking any nutrition or vitamins, consult with your doctor of course. I intermingle some information from my cosmetology book, and a few things that I remember just from reading about nail care from past articles and books]

Nails are mainly made of Keratin (same main protein make up of skin and hair, hence all the hair/skin/nails supplements) and are 10 to 30 percent water. Nails are also porous. Although they look solid, they are not entirely. Water evaporates also off of them. Alcohol , polishes, and harsh agents decrease the amount of water in nails. Having too little water (nail hydration) can lead to hard, inflexible, and brittle nails which can be countered by drinking plenty of water and using nail/skin conditioners/oils and sealers.

Nail chip, peel, break, brittle problems
Nails that chip, peel, crack, or break easily shows a general
nutritional deficiency and insufficient hydrochloric acid and protein.
Minerals are also required.

Brittle nails signify possible iron deficiency, thyroid problems,
impaired kidney function, and circulation problems.

Brittle, split nails Nail dryness; nails in contact with irritants; silica deficiency

Brittle, soft, shiny nails without a moon may indicated an overactive
thyroid.

Nutrition
Vitamin D (helps in calcium absorption to prevent brittle and dry nails), calcium (needed for healthy nail growth {coral calcium is easy to absorb}), vitamin B (low can result in fragile and brittle nails), vitamin A (low can cause dry brittle nails)[Carotenoids work with A]), magnesium (many good calcium supplements have magnesium also), and zinc (is needed to help absorb minerals and enzymes).

Essential fatty acids Aid in the health of skin and nails. Fatty acids are found in omega fatty acids from fish oil, flax seed oil, and borage seed oil. The fatty acids work well with the amino acid called L-methione.


Gelatin is a very good source of nail strengthening ingredients.


Ginkgo biloba is a herb that helps with circulation problems and is also good for brain and memory function. This is a blood thinner so careful if you are already taking related or aspirin daily.


Steps you can take to improve nails
- drink distilled water (6-8 glasses a day)
- wear rubber gloves if in contact with harsh chemical cleaning agent
- keeping them hydrated (oils, moisturizers, and sealer/protectors)
- eat foods (and/or take supplements) rich in vitamins/minerals above
- massage hands and arms to improve circulation of nutrients to the hands and nails
- constant quick dry polishes, removal agents, and hardening agents may weaken and dry out nails. Take a break from them and go natural for a while
- file instead of clip if possible. File from the side to the tip. Any chips or cracks should be filed before they spread. Clippers should only be used to take large chunks of nail off (following major breaks), followed by filling them. Metal ones are the least effective files, where as the ones more sand paper  like(emry boards) are better (files smoother), the common double sided 2 different sided grained ones are very good
- try a more squarish shape of nail shape to give it more strength

3.) Third was a post I did following up the last post with information about soaking following a question. http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,660.msg10617.html#msg10617

Yes, Cassandra drink water (distilled or bottled if possible), a supplement (as long as doesnt interact with any medical problems or medicines), massaging hands and fingers (rub them while you are thinking and reading messageboard posts at the keyboard), and some daily lotions should help out tremendously. Keep me up to date, and keep doing it because its worth it. Just make it part of who you are.

Soaking
Soaking in distilled water will absorb into the nail. Warm water opens pores and absorbs easier. Chlorine in regular water dries nails. Dont soak to long, or your skin around your nails gets wrinkly, peels, and damages. To keep the water in you need something with oils (most commonly used) like in lotions, ointements, conditioners, or creams. This will help keep the water in (forms a thin barrier). Oils float on water and oils dont evaporate as easily as water in normal temperatures, yet water cannot evaporate through the oils easily. Wear gloves in cold weather to keep hands and nails protected.

If your in a dry/cold climate you need to prevent your nails (and skin) from drying out.

The main purpose of soaking is to soften up the cuticles. Also mild soaps are added to clean and disinfect the nail area (though the soaps themselves can add in drying up nails too much). Its good however to keep your nails clean. A very mild soap with conditioner would be ideal for dry nails, or following cleaning with moisturizers, oils (I like hot oils), or even plain hand lotion on the nails helps. One person recommends using hand creams on hands, putting them in cotton gloves, and then rubber gloves over, to help the hands and nails replenish moisture over a period of time once or twice a week.

Cuticles are carefully pushed back. They can be cut if excessive. You dont want to damage the cuticles. Their main purpose is to protect the matrix bed (nail root=where the nails are formed). Damaging the cuticle, the root , or the nail bed is very bad and can lead to infection, abnormally shaped nails, and future problems. You can see the matrix/root as the half moon at the base of some nails.

The nail beds themselves should be light pink to dark pink (showing a rich supply of blood to the nails).


Just wanted to add one piece of info that I learned recently.

Natural oil for nails that works best is Virgin Olive Oil. A record holder of longest nails uses Olive oil to strenghten her nails.


Also if nails are stained  or unatural color, lemon juice can lighten it more natural.

Yes. At least once a week, remove it all. Try the lemon juice with Q-tips to unstain them. I buy lemon juice in a bottle for other purposes (fish and tea mainly). Its a great natural lightener for hair, nails, and skin. It does have drying attributes, so moisturizing afterwords is necessary. Extra virgin olive oil can be used for other nutrition such as: 1 to 2 tablespoons a day combats bad fats/cholestrol, rubbed on the skin is one of the best skin oils to moisturize (for face, hands, or any body area), and has 1/10th anti inflammatory/pain killing properties as ibuprofen (great to rub on sore joints or use in massages). Not to mention you can use it in cooking (does have a stronger distinct taste then corn oil).