liba
Well-known member
After years of biting my nails, they were really weak and soft for a good year or more. They've gotten very strong in the past 6 months, though. I've mostly made changes in my diet for other reasons, but I wonder if it's been helping my nails - my hair has been growing better too. I added a lot more protein into my diet than I'd been having for years, then I wound up getting properly diagnosed for thyroid issues and digestive imbalances. Had to cut out gluten and all sugars, even from fruit for a while (which made me eat more protein too), plus was put on Vitamin D supplements, due to a huge deficiency, from the thyroid problems. Between the thyroid meds, the new supplements, and a course of meds to get a healthy balance back to my digestive tract, my nails are now like iron - I'm actually kind of amazed.I was so excited when my nails grew back, so i ordered stuff from Llarowe (which i listed a while ago) and did several manicures. I continue with Dior Creme Abricot daily, so hangnails are gone.
But now my nails are brittle, and chipping and breaking - not sure why. Normally my nails are too soft, bendy, and peel in layers. I've been taking a Glucosamine - Condroitin supplement for several months. And recently i started taking a Calcium - Magnesium supplement regularly. I don't know if either of these could be contributing. Any suggestions for treatment?
Other than that, I do find that using an old dull nail file definitely weakens the edges of my nails, even sometimes leading to a little peeling here and there. Also files that aren't abrasive enough or are too coarse are trouble. The shape you're filing them in also plays into it - square is much weaker than rounded. I file lightly every other day or so, rather than waiting and doing a bigger cutting and filing job less often. None of this is scientific, but I think all of this must be a help.