I wore fake nails to my wedding.
However, they were gel and not acrylic, and I used Mademoiselle by Essie rather than getting the traditional bridal French manicure, which I think helped to lessen the tackiness.
Now my real nails are in dire need of some TLC. Not only are they short (I bit them WAY down in the weeks leading up to the wedding), but they’re weak. I heard that there are some supplements you can take to help your nails grow faster and stronger. A former co-worker used to take MSM supplements, but I’m wary to start taking those because they seem to be for arthritic adults and not for growing fingernails. I heard that Biotin can make your hair and nails grow, but can anybody vouch for that? What about the expensive Phyto supplements from France?
I know a little about biotin. A very little. Folks on antibiotics can have biotin deficiencies as well as people who eat too many raw egg whites. Biotin deficiencies lead to hair loss and weak nails, yep. But unless you have a biotin deficiency, taking extra won’t do you any good.
The End.
I have the Phyto supplements. I bought them 2 years ago when my hair pulled a nasty trick and decided to fall out.
I don’t recall noticing a difference but it made me feel better to be proactive.
I blog about natural nail care and this is a topic recently covered. You can find the complete blog post at: http://zularisnaturals.blogspot.com/2008/05/busting-nail-myths.html
“Biotin is absorbed into the core of the nail, where it may encourage a better, thicker nail to grow,” says Richard K. Scher, M.D., professor of dermatology and head of the Nail Section at Columbia University-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Cauliflower is a rich source of biotin, as are legumes such as peanuts and lentils. One study showed that people consuming 2,500 micrograms (2.5 milligrams) of biotin daily had marked increases in nail thickness after six months. To get this much biotin, you’ll need to take it in supplement form.
Nails that are weak and break or peel easily are often dehydrated. Try applying your favorite cuticle oil several times through out the day and massage it in over the whole nail. It may take a while to notice changes since the weakened part of the nail will have to grow out before you notice any changes but it will help. Give the biotin a try as well. Best of luck with your nails!