Dry, flakey nails

[meriad]

For the past year or two I have been having BioGel manicures done every 3 or 4 weeks and usually they are OK and last from one session to the next (with the odd occasion where one or two peel). However these past three or four months I find that the gel overlays have been peeling off really quickly and my own nails underneath are as dry and flakey as they were before I started with the regular overlays whereas, for the first year if the gel did peel off, my nails still seemed to be really strong.

I know I've been using quite a bit more cleaning products - esp antiseptic wipes - in the bathroom because of one of my cats, and I know that that is one of the main causes for the gel to lift; but.... can anyone recommend a really good nail supplement to strengthen my own nail? My thumb nails are as hard as anything but the others are horrendous.

[Fugitive]

Marigolds at all times Meriad? Any overlays hate chemicals. I even put my Marigolds on when I'm only rinsing a cup under hot water let alone washing up liquid or anything slightly caustic. I have a three week manicure which lasts perfectly for three weeks. Every six weeks I have a soak-off with the refresh inbetween. I do use almond oil, cheap as chips, several times a week massaged into the nail and cuticle and when I have the soak off (having one today) my nails look and feel strong and healthy.

Is the same nail technician doing your nails from when you first started having them done? I had to have somebody else rather than my usual girl once or twice and they weren't as good. She didn't seem as thorough as my regular girl and it showed

[Kaz]

Oh what a shame Meri - hope you can resolve this.

I never have any trouble really with my gel acryllics - I do all my housework glove-free and generally they are tough as old boots Sometimes after a couple of weeks the polish might chip slightly if I'm rough with them, and if I go too long between new sets one might break, but generally they are great. I know they ruin your real nails underneath but the reason I started having these in the first place is because my own nails were dreadful, very weak and often split, so I don't mind that.

[Fugitive]

Glove Free *fainted* I used to get allergic reactions to any chemicals, not so good when I was a hairdresser, so gloves are to prevent any flare ups and now an ingrained habit.

[Kaz]

Perhaps it depends on how often you do any cleaning?

No seriously I use some ecover-type products for cleaning and polishing (from Sainsbury's) and damp microfibre cloths for the windows so my cleaning products tend to be gentle...... I do put bleach down the loos and sinks, but you don't touch that do you? And I have a dishwasher now

[meriad]

I have to admit Fugi - I hardly ever wear gloves and I really should get into the habit. I have two boxes of disposable gloves that I should be using; and I should put one of the boxes into the bathroom...

sigh

And also, yes it is the same lady who does the nails; always has been right from the start.

I wonder if my (admittedly rather not the best) diet also plays a part in that my nails are too dry and the gel won't stick? hmmmm

[Osc]

I don't have acrylics or any other kind of false nails, but the last couple of months my nails have been very brittle, although quite hard. This sometimes happens later in the winter which I presume is down to the cold and poor circulation. Recently I found that nail varnish was just chipping as soon as I put it on. I have a bottle of Sally Hansen cuticle and nail oil which I've been using and leaving off the nail varnish. However, wanting to do a good manicure on myself last Friday, I put on the nail oil, let it soak in for over an hour, then did my usual nail varnish routine - base coat, two coats of colour and a top coat and bingo!! Lovely nails which are still perfect!

[Kaz]

Soaking in oil is supposed to be very good for brittle nails - seems it did the trick for you Osc

[Cal]

Sweet Almond oil is a very good oil to massage into your nails and cuticles, and Nunale nail strengthener cream is excellent if you have nails that split, peel or break off. I swear by Nunale, you get it in Boots the chemist.

[meriad]

Thanks everyone and Cal; I'll definitely have a look out for the Nunale