Week 2 progress report – the split kept splitting so I decided half way through week 1 to add in the silk (as per my other nail blogs). The difference this makes is that the silk forms a physical support over the nail split, encouraging the new nail coming off the nail bed to the free edge to stay together. In my experience, if the current free edge has a split it will continue to split backwards to the nail bed (due to daily wear and tear) unless physical support is also there.
My Nailtiques trial started on Mon 6th Nov 2017. I’m using Nailtiques Protein Formula 3 on my left hand thumb nail, and taking a Biotin 100 ug / 100 mg supplement. Lovely hands is an authorised stockist of Nailtiques products.
I am using Nailtiques Formula 3 on my reps recommendation, its for dry dehydrated nails, these type of nails can get longitudinal splits (cuticle down to the free edge). To attempt to repair the split the nail requires more conditioning ingredients than protein hardeners.
Week 2;
Above; Clare’s left hand thumb nail, bare 12.11.17. There is still a split and peeling on the free edge.
Below; Clare’s left hand thumb nail, with silk and 2 thin coats of Nailtiques Formula 3. 12.11.17. The free edge is filed smooth, these pictures a real close ups and the silk can be seen.
How to apply silk –
- Starting with a bare nail I apply 1 thin coat of Nailtiques Formula 3 to the nail, trying to cap the tip and get some underneath the free edge if possible as well. This is important as it is the Nailtiques that is going to bind with the nail to treat and improve it.
- Cut a small square of silk, separate it from its backing paper and apply the slightly sticky side to the nail. Make sure you have small sharp scissors so that the silk is not distorted. You can create a curved edge to fit your nails, if some hangs over the edge it can be filed later.
- Ensure the silk is in place and and paint Nailtiques Formula 3 over the top, cap the tip and get some underneath again.
- When dry it is possible to lightly file any stray bits of silk on the free edge. Always use a good quality file with lots of life in it, as per scissors blunt tools just pull the silk. File lightly in a downwards direction.
- As per point 2 below, continue to apply Nailtiques Formula 3 every other day.
Top tips;
- always keep a good quality nail file on you to smooth a split nail end before it catches and goes deeper.
- apply Nailtiques in a thin coat, cap the nail tip and try and get some underneath as well, every other day.
- remove with non-acetone remover – I really think this makes a difference.
- avoid immersing your hands in water – wear gloves if washing up. Why? Nails absorb water, if you are putting Nailtiques on it will offer some protection against the effects of the water but if the nails swell a bit when they have absorbed water Nailtiques will peel off. I swim regularly so I will ensure I reapply nailtiques after if needed.
- with nail splits I find that I can feel them when I wash my hair, and strands of hair go through the split. This will prevent fixing, hence why I apply the silk. I have started to wear nitrile gloves while washing my hair now for extra protection.
- keep an eye on your hands, try to stop grabbing at things when looking the other way, that’s when you will knock your nail and suffer a set back. Slow hand movements down and be mindful when reaching out, tuck your finger / thumb with the healing nail in to protect it when putting on your coat for example.
If you would like to read up on the products and purchase please follow the links above, lovely hands is an authorised stockist. We are competitively priced and give a quality nail file and orange stick with each purchase.
Email me (details on website) if you are not sure which Formula you need.