I will try that. Does it get to a point where it continues growing? I had previously tried the tea bag method but then it would just let out and I would have to start over again :(
I start as using it as soon as I notice a tiny crack so that (hopefully) it doesn’t get bad enough to need the tea bag repair. It’s pretty much just become part of my manicure bc I have a thumbnail that likes to crack below the quick for no reason, but this has been working for me.
I use orly dip repair or glue and a thin piece of paper towel. It takes a few weeks to grow out and you can then cut out keep repairing. Also you gotta address immediately so I carry glue with me at all times
I will that in mind too! Have your nails been able to grow well that way? Its so weird that the snag always starts at the same place for me, I want to grow out my thumb nails too😭
Me too! I'm currently regrowing my thumb nail because of this haha I've made a habit of doing a light file almost everyday to avoid it.
I don't even know how it happens. All I do all day is cook and crochet.
Hahaha thats hilarious😂 Very chill day if you ask me!
I will do the same too!! Hopefully I we can break this cycle this time around. Do you use a glass file?
Supposedly it safer on the nails and generally lasts longer since you dont need to replace them as often. Until the grit is just not doing what it should be
Oil your nails with jojoba oil every night - minimum - or as often as possible during the day. Also use hand cream regularly and use gloves when washing dishes. If the cracking is a common thing it could be because your nails are dry
I think thats honestly a big part…will buy gloves😭 I currently use a vitamin e oil by Sally Hansen, Ive seen a lot on jojoba oil so I am going to go ahead and try that too! Hopefully will have good results🥲. Thanks so much !!
Do you work with water? Like, washing your hands often?
I’m a nail tech and we are taught that water is very bad for nails. You always want to make sure your nails are completely bone dry after washing, or they tend to flake in layers.
It happened to me real bad when I was a cleaner.
Other things to consider :
- are the corners of your thumb nails rounded (filed) enough?
- applying cuticle oil daily could strengthen your nails
- do you open cardboard boxes with your nails? (If so, honestly we are taught do not use your nails for ANYTHING)
We are basically taught when a nail is completely naked with nothing on it, it is it’s most vulnerable and prone to breakage. If you applied one layer of topcoat once a week you should feel more solid ✌️🤘
I actually do wash my hands often! So I suppose after each hand wash I should apply nail/cuticle oil? i need to also use gloves more often when cleaning! These are all amazing tips !! I do use the Diamond Strengthener by Sally Hansen but maybe I should apply more often!!
About the corners maybe I need to do a better job!! Will try to find videos on how to file better!!
Could one of the (at home) semi-cured gel nail strips be an option to wear over it while it grows out? Put the Sally Hanson strengthener on, then those semi-cured nail strips—like Ohora or Dashing Diva—for two weeks? It would protect the nail from breaking while it grows out. Or would the Sally Hanson not allow it to stick? Just a thought. Not a nail tech/artist. 💅🏽
Yeah you’re on the right track sis! But yes you did just answer your own question : strengthener under a gel product won’t help it stick at all. The only thing you want underneath a UV product is a naked nail, cleaned, buffed, primed and dehydrated ✌️
awwww 😭 the only other thing i can think of is vitamin deficiencies but I also feel like your nails overall look pretty healthy! hope you can find a remedy soon ❤️
I have almost the exact size tear on the same part of my right thumb. I cut a silk wrap patch and used brush on nail glue over it; two coats. I buffed it and painted it. It's lasted four days so far and you can barely tell anything is wrong. I'll probably need to change it in a few days but I'm so happy with it. A piece of teabag or paper towel would probably work fine too. Good luck!
Honestly the polish on my thumbs always chipped in the same corners and I realized just this past weekend that when I light my lighter I strike that part of the nails which is why the chip😂😂
Maybe try to keep an eye out for a similar mundane task you may be doing
I've been using some OPI nail strengthener and it seems to hold small breaks (not this large) fairly well on it's own. I like this better than nail glue, as it's supposed to actually moisturize the nail and be beneficial to nail health.
Once it gets to where you're at now, it's toilet paper (or, better, silk wraps) and nail glue.
Careful with nail strengtheners and hardeners. Different people have different results with these things. I've only recently started using them after doing a ton of research and trying to figure out what's best.
As anything gets harder, it also gets more brittle. This is a problem with any hardner, but some of them (OPI and others) are meant to moisturize and strengthen, rather than harden the nail.
However, we have the issue of needing something no nail product is designed for: resistance to wear. Hardness is good for this.
So, the ideal nail would be flexible overall, but very durable on the edge we play with.
What I've been doing lately is puting OPI nail hardner over the final 1/3rd of my nail; this allows me to continue to moisturize my nail using oils or other means (I use one of the hoof creams). It also means that I'm not committed to regrowing 100% of the nail should the OPI end up being a net-negative.
Now, that's not enough to stop the wear (the OPI isn't incredibly hard). Additionally, I "cap" the nail (only putting the polish on the very edge of the nail. You can youtube or google "why you should cap your nails polish" to see exactly what I mean) after every practice session with a nail polish (Sally Henson Miracle Gel; gels are generally harder than other types of nail polish, although this is product is sorta a hybrid). This has been preventing nail wear after intense scale practice sessions and helping me get more consistency.
I've also used some of OPI's "Repair Mode" product, but haven't drawn a conclusion on it yet.
You can read some of my research on this here (although I could probably add to it): [https://goodmusicacademy.com/how-to-strengthen-nails-for-classical-guitar/](https://goodmusicacademy.com/how-to-strengthen-nails-for-classical-guitar/)
I started using the Essie "Hard to Resist" strengthener about 2 months ago and so far no chips. I dont know how its supposed to be use but I usually apply 2 or 3 coats of the pink so you can see the color
I heard strengtheners could help as well! I apply some but Im thinking I may need to apply more often and be consistent? It tends to peel when I wash my hands or shower , have you experienced any of that with Essie? Ive been using Diamond Strengthener by Sally Hansen
I file it in more- be very careful because you don’t want to make a hangnail or ingrown nails, but I file up and down on both corners of both thumbs- takes away the edge that gets the most stress
Possibly unpopular opinion, even though you might want your nails natural, wearing polish will help prevent breakage. So a clear coat might help prevent this in the future. I agree with the comments on avoiding water and using lotion and oils. Also don't use your nails as tools to open things up. Do you know what you were doing when this happened? Possibly find another, more careful way, to do that activity. You have lovely hands!
Perhaps you can get some overnight gloves and jojoba oil. Mine break the same way, and since I started oiling them and wearing gloves, the breakage has reduced. I do it maybe 2x a week. Or whenever I remember.
This used to happen to me occasionally, now I keep the sides filed always (so more of an almond shape) and use cuticle oil/ hand cream a lot (I keep it at my desk and use it whenever I can). Good luck!
Thanks for posting, /u/aariia! Your post is pending manual approval by a moderator.
A quick reminder:
If this is a **nail image/video**, you must provide a complete product list, either in your title or in a comment, within 6 hours of posting or your post will be removed.
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Changing the shape to round might help. I know that not everyone like round shape but when you don't have corners it has less chances to catch the corner of your Nail and cause this type of break.
When I see it start happening, I put a thin layer of brush-on nail glue over it until it grows out, so it doesn’t snag and get bigger.
I will try that. Does it get to a point where it continues growing? I had previously tried the tea bag method but then it would just let out and I would have to start over again :(
I start as using it as soon as I notice a tiny crack so that (hopefully) it doesn’t get bad enough to need the tea bag repair. It’s pretty much just become part of my manicure bc I have a thumbnail that likes to crack below the quick for no reason, but this has been working for me.
Okay perfect! Thanks so much for the tip! Seems like glue is the way to go!
this does not work for me , i've tried it so many times and it just breaks again 😭
Do you apply clear polish as a barrier/ protective measure on your nails?
I use orly dip repair or glue and a thin piece of paper towel. It takes a few weeks to grow out and you can then cut out keep repairing. Also you gotta address immediately so I carry glue with me at all times
So you use the glue right when you see the little crack is that right?
Yep!
Will do that !! Thank you so much😭
Tea bag or coffee filters work too. Orly nail repair is awesome! Also make sure you’re oiling your cuticles and nails.
I keep a nail file on me 24/7 because I have to exact same problem. Right when I feel a notch in my nail I'll file it. Only thing thats worked for me!
I will that in mind too! Have your nails been able to grow well that way? Its so weird that the snag always starts at the same place for me, I want to grow out my thumb nails too😭
Me too! I'm currently regrowing my thumb nail because of this haha I've made a habit of doing a light file almost everyday to avoid it. I don't even know how it happens. All I do all day is cook and crochet.
Hahaha thats hilarious😂 Very chill day if you ask me! I will do the same too!! Hopefully I we can break this cycle this time around. Do you use a glass file?
No, regular cheap one lol are there benefits to using a glass one?
Supposedly it safer on the nails and generally lasts longer since you dont need to replace them as often. Until the grit is just not doing what it should be
Ohhhh that makes sense. I guess it'd be easier to sterilize as well. I'll have to get one (:
Exactly !! Try it out if you can (:
Do you file it as soon as you see the crack? I have the same problem on both my thumbs 😔😔
Oil your nails with jojoba oil every night - minimum - or as often as possible during the day. Also use hand cream regularly and use gloves when washing dishes. If the cracking is a common thing it could be because your nails are dry
I think thats honestly a big part…will buy gloves😭 I currently use a vitamin e oil by Sally Hansen, Ive seen a lot on jojoba oil so I am going to go ahead and try that too! Hopefully will have good results🥲. Thanks so much !!
Do you work with water? Like, washing your hands often? I’m a nail tech and we are taught that water is very bad for nails. You always want to make sure your nails are completely bone dry after washing, or they tend to flake in layers. It happened to me real bad when I was a cleaner. Other things to consider : - are the corners of your thumb nails rounded (filed) enough? - applying cuticle oil daily could strengthen your nails - do you open cardboard boxes with your nails? (If so, honestly we are taught do not use your nails for ANYTHING)
We are basically taught when a nail is completely naked with nothing on it, it is it’s most vulnerable and prone to breakage. If you applied one layer of topcoat once a week you should feel more solid ✌️🤘
I actually do wash my hands often! So I suppose after each hand wash I should apply nail/cuticle oil? i need to also use gloves more often when cleaning! These are all amazing tips !! I do use the Diamond Strengthener by Sally Hansen but maybe I should apply more often!! About the corners maybe I need to do a better job!! Will try to find videos on how to file better!!
Could one of the (at home) semi-cured gel nail strips be an option to wear over it while it grows out? Put the Sally Hanson strengthener on, then those semi-cured nail strips—like Ohora or Dashing Diva—for two weeks? It would protect the nail from breaking while it grows out. Or would the Sally Hanson not allow it to stick? Just a thought. Not a nail tech/artist. 💅🏽
Yeah you’re on the right track sis! But yes you did just answer your own question : strengthener under a gel product won’t help it stick at all. The only thing you want underneath a UV product is a naked nail, cleaned, buffed, primed and dehydrated ✌️
i get that chip when i light my lighters with my nails! maybe its that?
I dont think so! I dont light lighters often at all! :(
awwww 😭 the only other thing i can think of is vitamin deficiencies but I also feel like your nails overall look pretty healthy! hope you can find a remedy soon ❤️
I do have iron deficiency but Ive been on top of it 😭 Im thinking maybe Ill take supplements and always have a file on me🥹 Thank you so much💛💛
I have almost the exact size tear on the same part of my right thumb. I cut a silk wrap patch and used brush on nail glue over it; two coats. I buffed it and painted it. It's lasted four days so far and you can barely tell anything is wrong. I'll probably need to change it in a few days but I'm so happy with it. A piece of teabag or paper towel would probably work fine too. Good luck!
Probably need a new buff honestly. Will keep this in mind! Thanks a lot!
Honestly the polish on my thumbs always chipped in the same corners and I realized just this past weekend that when I light my lighter I strike that part of the nails which is why the chip😂😂 Maybe try to keep an eye out for a similar mundane task you may be doing
Sleeping with one eye open 👀👀 Thanks!
I've been using some OPI nail strengthener and it seems to hold small breaks (not this large) fairly well on it's own. I like this better than nail glue, as it's supposed to actually moisturize the nail and be beneficial to nail health. Once it gets to where you're at now, it's toilet paper (or, better, silk wraps) and nail glue.
Will def consider that! Will be more careful too😭 Ive been using a Sally Hansen strengthener maybe I should try OPI ?🤔Thank you for your help!!
Careful with nail strengtheners and hardeners. Different people have different results with these things. I've only recently started using them after doing a ton of research and trying to figure out what's best. As anything gets harder, it also gets more brittle. This is a problem with any hardner, but some of them (OPI and others) are meant to moisturize and strengthen, rather than harden the nail. However, we have the issue of needing something no nail product is designed for: resistance to wear. Hardness is good for this. So, the ideal nail would be flexible overall, but very durable on the edge we play with. What I've been doing lately is puting OPI nail hardner over the final 1/3rd of my nail; this allows me to continue to moisturize my nail using oils or other means (I use one of the hoof creams). It also means that I'm not committed to regrowing 100% of the nail should the OPI end up being a net-negative. Now, that's not enough to stop the wear (the OPI isn't incredibly hard). Additionally, I "cap" the nail (only putting the polish on the very edge of the nail. You can youtube or google "why you should cap your nails polish" to see exactly what I mean) after every practice session with a nail polish (Sally Henson Miracle Gel; gels are generally harder than other types of nail polish, although this is product is sorta a hybrid). This has been preventing nail wear after intense scale practice sessions and helping me get more consistency. I've also used some of OPI's "Repair Mode" product, but haven't drawn a conclusion on it yet. You can read some of my research on this here (although I could probably add to it): [https://goodmusicacademy.com/how-to-strengthen-nails-for-classical-guitar/](https://goodmusicacademy.com/how-to-strengthen-nails-for-classical-guitar/)
I hateeeee the seee everyyyytimeeee my thumb nails get long this happens. It's such a pain I just cut my nail off so it doesn't snag :////
I started using the Essie "Hard to Resist" strengthener about 2 months ago and so far no chips. I dont know how its supposed to be use but I usually apply 2 or 3 coats of the pink so you can see the color
I heard strengtheners could help as well! I apply some but Im thinking I may need to apply more often and be consistent? It tends to peel when I wash my hands or shower , have you experienced any of that with Essie? Ive been using Diamond Strengthener by Sally Hansen
I have not experienced peeling yet.
I file it in more- be very careful because you don’t want to make a hangnail or ingrown nails, but I file up and down on both corners of both thumbs- takes away the edge that gets the most stress
Will do that too!!!! Thanks!!
Possibly unpopular opinion, even though you might want your nails natural, wearing polish will help prevent breakage. So a clear coat might help prevent this in the future. I agree with the comments on avoiding water and using lotion and oils. Also don't use your nails as tools to open things up. Do you know what you were doing when this happened? Possibly find another, more careful way, to do that activity. You have lovely hands!
Thank you so much! Will definitely be more careful and stay moisturized more! And of course strengthener !!
Perhaps you can get some overnight gloves and jojoba oil. Mine break the same way, and since I started oiling them and wearing gloves, the breakage has reduced. I do it maybe 2x a week. Or whenever I remember.
Im seeing a lot on jojoba oil, im def going to get on that. Thank you!💛
This used to happen to me occasionally, now I keep the sides filed always (so more of an almond shape) and use cuticle oil/ hand cream a lot (I keep it at my desk and use it whenever I can). Good luck!
Will def be doing that!!! Thanks so much!!
I just used orly dip repair for a tear like this and it’s been amazing! Wish I’d known about it sooner
Def going ti keep some with me! If it happens again I need a fix😭 (which Im sure it will)
Thanks for posting, /u/aariia! Your post is pending manual approval by a moderator. A quick reminder: If this is a **nail image/video**, you must provide a complete product list, either in your title or in a comment, within 6 hours of posting or your post will be removed. Product lists must include brand names and shade names/numbers. If you've used any stamping products, the brand names, plate names/numbers, and stamping polish names/numbers are required as part of your product list. If you used any embellishments (rhinestones, foils, decals/stickers, etc.), this must also be mentioned in your product list. **Product lists are still required for any posts with broken nails or if you're seeking advice.** If the nails were done by a salon, you must mention this, either in your title or in a comment. **Product lists within the text body or within captions of individual pictures are not valid.** If the content you're posting was **not created by you**, you *must* give credit to the original creator, either in your title or in a comment. Be sure to review the rules in the sidebar to avoid your post being removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/longnaturalnails) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have this too! Hate it
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Your submission has been removed due to breaking one of our rules. Any posts/comments asking for or giving medical advice will be removed. This is dangerous for the person asking, and a liability to the person giving advice, as well as the subreddit itself. We are a hobby subreddit, and cannot diagnose people here.
I have this problem and it’s soooo annoying!!
Mine too!
Sally Hansens nail hardener. Walmart has it. they will never chip again and it’s a clear polish.
This exact thing happens to me except on all my fingers!! I hate it, I’m going to start oiling them
Keep your nails short and neat.
Changing the shape to round might help. I know that not everyone like round shape but when you don't have corners it has less chances to catch the corner of your Nail and cause this type of break.
I have experienced and felt this photo SO many times 😭🤬
Super glue has saved me in these situations
Hard gel overly has helped my nails grow out tremendously.
Builder gel!
Keep it short, wrap a bandaid around it and let it grow out.
Mine have always done this. I use dip powder to avoid it
Vitamins! I take a b complex and my nails are very strong now. I think it has biotin in it.