For stronger and healthier nails, soak for 3 minutes a day in a solution of 1/2 cider vinegar and 1/2 alcohol.
Also, add ONE drop of formaldehyde in a regular sized nail polish bottle (you can buy small bottle of formaldehyde from local pharmacy) will turn regular polish into "Hard as Nails" polish. It helps strengthen nails and makes them harder to split or crack.
I must stress in this ONE DROP per bottle. Less IS more. I put 5 drops in the first time I tried it and my nails felt like they were shrinking, no kidding. Luckily I had polish remover on hand. It was fine when I got it off though. Not trying to scare anyone, just don't overdo it.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Any home remedies for brittle and splitting fingernails?
By Anonymous from Los Angeles, CA
I also have that problem. My doctor tested me and I have a calcium deficiency. You might try taking OTC calcium citrate. It is more easily absorbed than other calcium. I take it daily and have noticed a big improvement.
Feed store. Pure MSM by the pound. I take 1 teaspoon a day in liquid. Nails have never been stronger. Good for lots of things. Check internet.
Eat pine nuts and sunflower seeds. They will give you stronger nails within a week. Just a mixed handful every day and you'll be amazed at the results.
What can I do to make my nails stronger and grow faster? I got my nails done for my sister's wedding. I didn't want to go because I knew it would damage my nails, but I went. And now I'm facing the consequences. My nails are really thin, they break off easily, and they don't grow hardly at all.
By horselover4
Increase your Biotin dosage. Biotin is really good for nails and hair. I take a multivitamin with Biotin in it but I also take two Biotin tablets at the same time.
The biotin suggestion is one I use (for my hair actually but it helps with nails, too), but since you sign yourself 'horselover' I'm surprised you don't know about using hoof conditioner on your nails to strengthen them. It REALLY works, and quick too!
Apply it liberally with a cotton swab to your nails and cuticles at night before bed; apply a thin coat with the swab several times during the day-you'll have lovely, strong nails in about a week.
You can buy it at tack stores and pet centres like PetsMart. I used to buy it at Wal-Mart in the pet section but I live in the UK now, and don't know if Wal-Mart still sells horse gear in their pet aisles. It's not terribly expensive, doesn't stain, and has a nice fragrance no matter where you buy it-the stuff I get at the horse centre here in the UK looks, acts, and smells just like the stuff I used to get at Wal-Mart.
Olive oil is wonderful to use as a moisturizer for your cuticles and fingernails. This is a page about using olive oil on brittle nails.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
My fingernails are brittle. I get splits and tears easily. They are tiny splits and tears, but make it painful when I pull on a shirt, brush my hair or touch my pets.