Hi. Newbie here and could use some advice. I’ve had acrylic nails since 1998 other than about 12 months during covid. Last summer I decided to stop having them done and let my own nails recover.
My nails have never been great even in childhood they peeled and never grew well or quickly. I expected there would be a recovery time after removal but they seem to be getting worse, not better.
My concerns: The white clouding, peeling and constant loss of layers.
I’ve tried the OPI Nail envy but that requires daily coats and weekly removal and recoating. I’m terrible about daily maintenance and travel for work most weeks so routine is hard. That’s why acrylics worked for me. I was able to avoid thinking about my nails for 2.5-3 weeks at a time.
I’ve been on Mary Ruth’s liquid vitamin with hair growth for almost 2 years (menopause).
Is there anything I’m missing that could help improve their condition?
by Medusa_7898
8 Comments
Have you tried collagen powder? I like the kind from Costco
After such long-term acrylic use, this kind of peeling and white clouding is actually pretty common. Your nails are likely dehydrated and the layers are weakened from years of removal and filing.
The most important things now are protection and consistency, not strengtheners that require constant removal.
I’d recommend keeping them short, using a simple clear base or builder in a bottle to protect the nail, and applying cuticle oil daily (even once a day makes a difference).
Also avoid over-buffing or trying too many treatments at once, that can make the peeling worse. Recovery can take a few full growth cycles, especially with hormonal changes, but this doesn’t look permanent.
That’s a big step after 30 years! They’ll recover really well with some cuticle oil and hydration
Check out CND’s products they are the best and worth the cost. You also need to potentially embrace daily maintenance in some form or fashion. It’s like expecting not to brush your teeth daily. They need repair. CND RescueRx will help I bet. I bit my nails for 30 years and stopped once they got so strong but I put it on twice a day for at least a month and then once daily for probably three months after. Now I need to care for them once a week. I can go down over time but I’d just have a nightly routine of putting something on it can take 30 seconds
Same here, but gels.
You’ve been on the MR liquid vitamin for 2 years – I assume you find it helpful? I’m in peri, and that seems like it addresses a lot of the issues I’m facing. What changes have you noticed?
(and I’m sorry, I’m no help with the nails – mine are shit and a constant struggle, LOL)
Jojoba oil daily! Multiple times a day. Nail oil is truly the secret to healing the nails. Nail health also starts from the inside out. Drinking water helps a lot as well!
From the looks of it, the damaged part of your nails is growing out.
As people suggested, cut them short, and use a clear base or nothing at all. Moisturizing helps a lot.
Try kerasal at night:
[Kerasal](https://a.co/d/0df5mKg7) and Jojoba oil during the day to keep your nails and cuticle moisturized.
I also use OPI [Repair](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXFM8CWF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) which helped with the layer issue you are experiencing.