Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic

Welcome to our new weekly column on the YOU magazine website, www.you.co.uk  Below you will find the current question and our advice, with a list of where to source the products mentioned.  To look at past columns, click here. And for lots more solutions to your beauty dilemmas, visit Q&A, just click here.

November 8th, 2009:  Splitting Nails

Q Some of my nails have developed San Andreas-like fault-lines running vertically from nail bed to tip and consequently split up the line, which besides being annoying can be painful and means that however short I keep my nails I end up with a nail with a dip in it. I do have an underactive thyroid and wonder if it could be related, but any help and advice that you can give about prevention and cure would be greatly appreciated.

A You don’t say so but invariably nails that behave as yours do are dry and brittle, a problem that affects at least one in five women and probably many more.  There are lots of possible reasons and certainly one of the common side effects of an underactive thyroid is weak nails.

The first thing to understand is that there is no real quick fix.  Fingernails grow at about one tenth of an inch per month, though there is a lot of variability.  But that means a whole new nail takes three to six months to grow.  So nail care is a longterm investment.  Having said that, there are very simple ways to improve their appearance while you’re waiting.

Overall, the key is to literally oil your nails, inside and out.  Sarah, who has much the same problem (mainly due to looking after her horses and gardening), finds that massaging in nail oil (any sort though neem oil is often advised) and/or a rich moisturiser makes them look better instantly.  (Her favourite is Seven Wonders Miracle Lotion, which contains seven natural oils, £12.95 for 237ml, from www.victoriahealth.com) Use hand cream every time you get your hands wet.  An omega-3 supplement is routinely recommended by nutritionist Kathryn Marsden for skin, hair and nails (try Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 mg by LifeTime Vitamins, £17.95 for 90 capsules  from www.victoriahealth.com).

As with every other part of your body (and mind), a good diet with plenty of protein, veg and fruit is essential although there is little evidence that adding in more calcium, gelatin or other minerals has any effect on age-related changes, according to Dr Celeste Robb-Nicholson, Editor in Chief of Harvard Women’s Health Watch.  However, supplementing with the B vitamin biotin may help increase the thickness of brittle nails and reduce splitting, she says, though actually regular application of a good moisturiser may do just as well. (Try Biotin by LifeTime Vitamins , £12.95 for 60 capsules  from www.victoriahealth.com ) 

Another product we have found helpful is silica, a mineral that takes all the nutrients to the nails, as well as skin and hair.  (Try Silica 2500 by Kordels, £14.40 for 90 Tablets  from www.victoriahealth.com)

Kathryn Marsden gave us one of the best tips ever, which is never to file nails without varnish on because they tend to flake much more.  We tend to use pale or clear varnish (you could try one of the strengthening products by Sally Hansen), though we stick to more conventional brands.  Important, however, to use a fine emery board or a glass file (The Crystal File by Essie £11.95 from www.victoriahealth.com), not a metal one, and to file in one direction only rather than sawing.  Oh, and do use an acetone-free nail polish remover to avoid drying your nails further.

Finally, please wear gloves – for everything!  Rubber ones for washing up, and cloth ones for outside.   Avoid soaking your nails in long hot baths.  If you’re dealing with paper – one of the most drying agents possible – pop on a pair of cotton or silk gloves; may sound dotty but it makes a huge difference.

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Where to find products:

Seven Wonders Miracle Lotion, £12.95 for 237 ml, is available online from www.victoriahealth.com.
Don’t forget your exclusive 5% discount with all online orders.

Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 mg by LifeTime Vitamins, £17.95 for 90 capsules, are available online from www.victoriahealth.com.
Don’t forget your exclusive 5% discount on all online orders.

Biotin by LifeTime Vitamins, £12.95 for 60 capsules, are available online from www.victoriahealth.com.
Don’t forget your exclusive 5% discount with all online orders.

Silica 2500 by Kordels, £14.40 for 90 tablets, are available online from www.victoriahealth.com.
Don’t forget your exclusive 5% discount with all online orders.

The Crystal File by Essie, £11.95, is available online from www.victoriahealth.com.
Don’t forget your exclusive 5% discount with all online orders.

Bourjois Ombre Stretch Eye Shadow Compact, £5.86, is available online from www.hqhair.com.
Don’t forget your exclusive 10% discount with all online orders.

Beauty Bible Beauty Clinic Archive

October 25th, 2009 - Facial Cleansers
October 18th, 2009 - Winter Colours
October 11th, 2009 - Omega-3 and probiotic supplements
October 4th, 2009 - Winter Skincare
September 27th, 2009 - Jawline
September 13th, 2009 - Thread Veins
September 6th, 2009 - Thread Veins
August 30th, 2009 - Vitamin C and Skincare
August 23rd, 2009 - Beat Stings and Itches
August 15th, 2009 - Sunscreens
August 9th, 2009 - Good Skin Care
August 2nd, 2009 - Lash Conditioners
July 26th, 2009 - Spa Treatments
July 19th, 2009 - Organic Tinted Moisturiser
July 12th, 2009 - Hair Protection
July 5th, 2009 - Cellulite
June 28th, 2009 - Sexy Summer Scents
June 21st, 2009 - Eyeliner Tricks
June 14th, 2009 - Natural Suncare
June 7th, 2009 - Anti Ageing Skin Care
May 31st, 2009 - Natural Nail Polishes
May 24th, 2009 - Body Polishing
May 17th, 2009 - Rosacea
May 10th, 2009 - Manky Feet
May 3rd, 2009 - Makeup Makeover
April 26th, 2009 - Facial Hair Removal
April 19th, 2009 - Teen Skin
April 12th, 2009 - Swimmers Hair
April 5th, 2009 - Make-up For Damaged Skin
March 29th, 2009 - Are Sunbeds Safe?
March 22nd, 2009 - Weak, Flaking Nails
March 15th, 2009 - Puffy Eyes
March 8th, 2009 - Camouflaging Red Cheeks
March 1st, 2009 - Hair Colouring in Pregnancy
February 22nd, 2009 - Thinning Eyebrows
February 15th, 2009 - Acne