Fucking nails

[cimorene]

It's so annoying how long it takes to trim my nails!

If I just cut them, rather than filing them with a glass file, they're too brittle and the edges chip and flake, which can lead to tearing. I try to cut them a little first to make the filing take less time, but this also usually results in at least a few chips.

If I don't push the cuticles back they tear and ultimately get infected. They have to be oiled first to prevent tears, then carefully scraped only a short distance. I usually end up with at least one torn anyway. Using a glass cuticle pusher helps some, but not enough to prevent that.

Being wet softens the nails so much that I have to wait a whole day after bathing even to file them, let alone cut them, or they'll tear in the process.

And it feels like every time I finish and the places where they hurt because I accidentally tore or nicked something heal, they're suddenly too long and I have to start over.

Comments

[viggorlijah]

Why glass? I understand on the cuticles - but is this an allergy thing? I can’t think of a nail hardener that isn’t reasonably toxic - nail polish is very beautiful but the chemicals involved are a lot. I did see henna-dipped nails recently that were quite a lovely orange but the person had dark brown skin so the colours glowed on her.

I am so sorry but now i am imagining you with a pet groomer’s nail grinder like a very miffed rabbit.

[cimorene]

Hahaha! No, glass nail files are the best because the grain is finer and they don't wear out as much. Filing with them creates a smooth edge and seals the cuticle whereas the other types leave tiny tears. A glass cuticle pusher has the same slightly rough surface as a glass nail file over a hard but rounded shape. The previous most popular kind of best quality cuticle pusher was stainless steel, and they work really well, but they have to have a sharper edge so it's too easy for me to push too far. I still have one though, and I use it for cleanups, toenails, and cleaning under the nails.

And yeah, I haven't been wearing polish often lately more from lack of time than anything else, but I did buy a couple of nail protector products because of this issue. But there's not really any option that is harmless and ecological and won't just wear off. Moisturizer constantly, with oil, is the most effective harmless way, and when I have to go to work I can't find the time to do it that much.

[isilya]

I had my nails done for my first wedding which has wrecked their health so I’ve been painstakingly nursing them along so they’ll stop tearing and chipping and bending.

The two things that have helped the most are constant cuticle oil (I mixed my own blend of jojoba and vitamin e and try and do it whenever I remember, like six times a day), and clear nail polish, especially over the tips. I keep them extremely short, and wear rubber gloves to do dishes or cleaning.

I also bought a pair of super sharp ambidextrous scissors (not nail scissors, just scissors) and they are sharp enough to cut my nails without causing any tears or chips.

[cimorene]

Ugh, yeah, my cuticles need oil but I have difficulty remembering to put it on them. I also have clear protector that I don't get around to applying enough. I do moisturize my hands a lot in general, which helps somewhat.

I cut my nails short for preference, but when I've been busy and distracted they tend to grow longer before I get around to trimming them, alas. However, I am good about using rubber gloves, because the water otherwise makes my hands hurt.

But maybe sharp scissors would help.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi! You might try Zinc tablets, at least 15 mg a day for stronger cuticles and nails. You find them in the pharmacy, and bigger stores ( Prisma, citymarket, tokmanni etc.). My nails also get stronger when I use more calcium (milk products).
Found you website via Ravelry, lovely sweater ☺️.
Best regards,
Anna-Barbara

[cimorene]

Hey, thanks! I'll try it!