I have never had super strong nails. A fairly long nail bed combined with a medication I take means as soon as they are above the tips of my fingers, they are likely to break. Usually, the ring finger, followed by my index and thumb leaving me with long middle and baby finger nails. However, a change in medication has left them even worse and they have been breaking frequently. So I decided to try and do something about it.
There is little you can do for nails that are already weak except protect them. So I have been wearing falsies (expect reviews on a few brands) or a couple of layers of gel to thicken and protect my natural nails. Then I have been taking Biotin in the form of Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails. In Gummies formula because I don’t want to add another pill to my day. Then using CND Canada Rescue RXx, which is a Keratin treatment, daily too. Then my usual moisturizing and cuticle oil but several times a day.
Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies
I am fully aware I can just take Biotin, but strawberry flavoured gummies! I can’t take a multivitamin that has added Biotin as I have to watch intake of some vitamins. But Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies just have Vitamin C and E. As a bonus, Vitamin E not only helps thicken hair, but can help with PMS symptoms! You take two gummies a day which adds up to 2500 mcg of Biotin. Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies claim they:
- Helps to maintain health of normal hair and skin
- Helps to support nail health
- Helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins
- Helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth and gums
- Helps in connective tissue formation
- Helps in wound healing
- An antioxidant for the maintenance of good health
Since they are only helping with new growth, only time will tell if they do make my nails stronger and it will be a long time before they grow out that much. But over a month of using Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies and my hair is looking better so it appears to be working on something! I have noticed that my nails are growing back more quickly. I cut them down really short so they did not show with artificial nails and didn’t break near the quick while growing out.
CND Rescue RXx Treatment & Moisturizing / Cuticle Oil
On top of helping new nail growth be stronger, I have been using a keratin treatment to help my nails too. CND Rescue RXx is a daily treatment. They compare it to their Solar Oil as being a hair mask instead of a regular conditioner. With jojoba and sweet almond oil, deposits keratin to weakened, damaged nails to help restore strength and moisture. Since my nails have mostly been covered, they don’t get the full force of this, but treatments tend to only work on new growth anyway,
Then my usual Cuter Cuticles cuticle oil, but 2-3 times daily instead of just once a day and constant moisturizing. I keep moisturizers everywhere including this cute EOS pod type in my purse. As my hands have been super dry since the medication change too.
Hopefully, this does the trick as it is the lesser of two evils with side effects from the medications I can take. As much as I love my nails, I can get a gel set if it does come down to choosing between forever breaking nails or changing to the alternative medication.
Shop this post:
- Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails – available at most drug stores including Walmart.ca
- CND Rescue RXx – from Trade Secrets
- Cuter Cuticles – online only, hit Sammy up for some of her hidden scents if you join her facebook group!
- EOS Hand Cream – available at most drug stores including Walmart.ca