Super Glue on the Nails

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srshea

Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest

Super Glue on the Nails

I’ve never really had any serious issues with my nails before, but my playing time has gone through the roof over the past several weeks, and my nails are now totally hammered. I is gone. M is on life support. Thankfully, A has survived intact, though it got a bit scary there for a while.

I got desperate and bought some Sally Hansen garbage, knowing it wasn’t going to work, and it didn’t. Over the weekend I decided to give Super Glue a shot, and it actually seems to be helping. But I’m not really sure if I’m using it in the best possible way, so I’m curious as to how y’all put that stuff on. I’ve been searching around, but I haven’t found any detailed description of the process.

This is what I’ve been doing so far: I squirt a bit on and try to spread it out with a q-tip before the glue dries, which happens pretty quick. I’m trying to cover just the last third of the nail (the edges are where I’m having problems. It’s actually on the same spot on each nail, the arch on the right side, right at the edge…). The glue dries fast, so the results aren’t very elegant. But if this is going to work, then I’m fine with that. But if there’s a better way to be doing this and a way to get better results, I’d love to hear it.

Thanks!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2009 22:27:30

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

are you using super glue to harden your nails or just for repairs?
i dont think it's a good idea to use it frequently. something about causing cancer or something...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2009 22:55:03

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

There is a medical variant that is used for closing wounds, but I don't think it cures as hard as the regular superglue. With a name like cyanoacrylate I wouldn't be suprised if it causes cancer. I prefer not using it, and it takes forever to rebuild nails with it. Sometimes I have to, I often mess up my natural nails.

If I need to rebuild a nail I use cyanoacrylate together with a silk mesh that I cut to the shape of the nails edge. To get the fake nails to stick well I've found that you need to file them so you practically can't feel the edge between your real nail and the fake nail. That way they won't start peeling off the edges quite as fast. The way I do it is by using a dremel tool with 1200grit sandpaper and sand just lightly until the top of the nail is smooth, then i use the finer regular nail-files. It takes a while, but on the positive side they will look half decent. Oh, and before putting on any superglue i roughen the top of the nails with something like 1000grit paper.

In a few weeks they will inevitably start peeling though.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 2:16:24

henrym3483

Posts: 1584
Joined: Nov. 13 2005
From: Limerick,Ireland

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

how about the johnO option and get acrylic nails put on?

i put about two to three layers of the sally hansen stuff on.i have used ecrinal cream at the nail root to strengthen the nail aswell.

also nail strength is based on diet and other stuff.

seafood and gelation based products build up nail strength. how about a prawn curry or a bowl of jelly and custard.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 6:14:41

srshea

Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to at_leo_87)

Thanks for the tips and the concern for my well being, guys.

quote:

are you using super glue to harden your nails or just for repairs?

A little of both, I guess. Basically I’ve just been putting it at the edges of the nails where they’re getting worn away. Sort of “stopping the bleeding”, so to speak, and trying let the nails keep growing out instead of just getting ground down to nothing. To that end, this seems to be working. The nails are a mess, but they don’t seem to be getting worn away at those trouble spots any more. I think I might be able to end rasgeados with an I upstroke again soon! That’ll be really nice.

Acrylics: Never really considered it before. As I said, this is a totally new problem for me, so I’ve never really seriously considered any of the various nail fixes in any detail. Most of what I’ve heard about acrylics in the past hasn’t really been encouraging…

Diet is key, of course, though the problems I’m having right now are pretty immediate, so any positive results from dietary change aren’t going to kick in soon enough to get me through this crisis stage.

Sally Hansen: I’ve tried three different products and they all chipped off pretty much instantly. Blah.

Henry, have you found noticeable results from the Ecrinal cream?

Thanks again, dudes!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 16:09:33

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

quote:

Diet is key, of course, though the problems I’m having right now are pretty immediate, so any positive results from dietary change aren’t going to kick in soon enough to get me through this crisis stage.

i started to take a daily multi vitamin a few months ago and my nails are getting pretty ridiculous. they grow very fast and they dont break so easily, if ever. the only problem is it takes 6 months for your new nails to grow out and realize whatever changes you've made to your diet.

another long term solution is onymyrrhe and hoofmaker. i haven't tried either of them but according to other people, they work miracles.

short term for your crisis: i used to use super glue and a couple layers of tissue paper to repair broken nails. try it! it feels indestructible! probably what acrylics feel like.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 16:32:20

srshea

Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to at_leo_87)

Anthony,

I’ve already got Onymyrrh and Hoofmaker sitting on the shelf!

Since I’ve never really had these problems in the past I’ve never been too religious about using this stuff regularly, so I’ve never really gotten a sense as to whether or not any of it actually works. But I’ve been using it more lately and will probably start to be more disciplined in my usage of that stuff. We’ll see what happens….

Daily multiple, I got; cod liver oil three times a day; extra calcium tabs. I’ve never tried the gelatin approach, so I guess this is a good excuse to go out and buy some Snack Pack….

quote:

short term for your crisis: i used to use super glue and a couple layers of tissue paper to repair broken nails. try it

This is exactly why I started this thread! I’ve never seen a specific, detailed account of how to go about doing this. That stuff dries awfully quick, and I can’t quite figure how y’all get tissue and silk and other fancy stuff into the equation without making a total hash of things.

I like to think that I’m a fairly bright guy, but I’m feeling pretty dumb about all this…..

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 17:04:08

JasonMcGuire

Posts: 1141
Joined: Apr. 10 2007

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

Onymyrrh does work, but it takes a long time. If I was starting over, I would probably go this route. I have been a slave to 5 second nail glue and Acrylic Powder about 15 years.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 18:04:59

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

quote:

This is exactly why I started this thread! I’ve never seen a specific, detailed account of how to go about doing this. That stuff dries awfully quick, and I can’t quite figure how y’all get tissue and silk and other fancy stuff into the equation without making a total hash of things.

okay, lets see here. im not sure how others do it. this is just my own way.

things you'll need.
-super glue
-tissue (i use toilet paper, one sheet)
-q-tip
-nail file/buffer

get everything ready because you'll have to work fast. place a small drop of superglue on your nail near the tip. then place tissue over it. i dont cut out the tissue, i'm too lazy. just line up the edge of the tissue to where you want the reinforcement to stop on your nail. you'll see how i get rid of the excess tissue in a bit.

use the q-tip and roll it around over the nail so that the super glue spreads out underneath the tissue and the tissue will stick. keep rolling around until it's dried. you can choose to cover 1/2 of the nail, only 1/4, the whole thing, whatever. it depends on how much superglue you use, where you place it, and how much of the tissue you stick down using the q-tip.

when it's dry, you'll have a sheet of tissue super glued to your nail. now, just rip the excess off with your other hand getting as close as possible to the glue line. from here, use a nail file and buffer for the top to "rub" off the rest of the tissue leaving only what's glued on to your nail left behind.

i find that using one layer is not enough so you can either go through the process twice or just fold the tissue in two when you place it on your nail.

if you cracked a nail and it's still hanging on, make sure you put the glue right on the crack. if you completely lost it, you can use another nail as a replacement ie the left thumb nail. position it, apply glue, then apply tissue over it and a good amount of your actual nail. one time, i got really desperate and used two toenails for my index finger.

maybe gross, i know, but it worked!

you'll be walking around with one, two, or even five white fingernails. people will ask questions. print out about 50 pamphlets containing your explanation and keep them in your back pocket so you can just hand them out. this will help you save time. if you like having friends, dont tell them you glued your toe nails to your fingers. if you did use a toenail, be sure to shake hands often with people you dont like.

okay, i hope that all made sense...

if this sounds like a lot of work, then keep at it with the cod liver oil and vitamins

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 19:03:35

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

If you just put super glue on the tips and then when it breaks of sand em and put more it's great for keeping your nails.

But you have to only put it on half of the nail so it can breath and get strong while the cracks can grow out.

hmmmmmmmm helps me. and then you have the flexibility of the real nail, some times when there real bad I use acrylic but only on half the nail until the problem grows out hmmmmmmmm does dat make sense.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2009 20:21:35

srshea

Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to at_leo_87)

Oh, boy maybe I should just start taking eight multi-vitamins a day.....

Thanks for that run down, Anthony. I feel pretty certain that that is something that I would completely f-up, so...... Maybe I'll try to find a cadaver to practice on before I start messing with my own nails....

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2009 7:12:09

russelldinho

Posts: 22
Joined: Nov. 11 2008
From: In-Gur-Land

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to at_leo_87)

rather than tissue i've been using silk nail wrap & superglue for repairs. a little bit of baking soda really hardens the glue too - no white fingernails and no awkward tissue/toenail based explanations!
when the nail has totally gone i've used a bit of ping pong ball inserted under the remainder of the nail. glows under UV and looks ace hehe. i'm sure persistent gluing cant be great for you and that diet is the key, but these are pretty effective methods in an emrgency

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2009 8:53:19

asisetoca

Posts: 35
Joined: Nov. 16 2008
From: Kemble, England

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

I have always used the sally hansen products(through ignorance of any other method in the first instance) and for some reason I'v always stayed loyal to the nail streghthener. It seems to work for me and iv been using it for about 10 years now, it does chip off quicky especially if you are playing for dance a lot which I do. But it also make the actual nail stronger when the nail streghthener is not applied so it seems to be a pretty good all round thing(as oppposed to some method which destroy the natural nail. I think the reason i tolerated it at first was that i started with it when i was really young(about 12) and didn't really do anything really strenuous with my nails e.g dance accompaniment. But i generally have to re-apply it every two days.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2009 11:29:53

a_arnold

Posts: 558
Joined: Jul. 30 2006

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

Superglue does work for repairs but every time it chips away it takes a layer of nail with it, so it's not a great idea for regular use.

One thing that works: BIOTIN. The lady that cuts my hair told me about it. It's a very inexpensive diet supplement. When she told me it strengthens nails and hair, I said, "Yeah. Right." I have tried everything. The rub-on creams work a little, but not enough. But she told me that a while after she started using it, she noticed she had to get her hair cut twice as often as before. That sounded like hard data, so I tried it. I've been on it for 6 months now (5000 mcg, or one pill a day) and my nails have stopped breaking. I noticed that the ridges also went away and my nails became smoother.

They don't LOOK any stronger or feel any thicker, but they have stopped breaking, and I play 4 hours a day and regularly for dancers (loud and long, lots of al golpe). I think they are a little stronger but definitely less brittle and tend to bend rather than breaking or tearing.

The good news is that biotin is VERY inexpensive and super easy, since it is a pill. The bad news is it takes a few months for the nail to grow out enough that the stronger part reaches the tip.

I would agree with you on the Sally Hansen stuff, except that I have discovered that it needs to cure. If I put it on at night after I'm through playing, so it has overnight to cure, it gets hard enough to stand the next day's playing. I just put it on the last 1/8" or so of my a,m, and i. If I just put it on an hour before playing, it feels hard but it isn't. I think the drying time on the label is for cosmetic use. Not picado!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2009 13:34:53

gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to a_arnold)

quote:

she told me it strengthens nails and hair.... so I tried it. I've been on it for 6 months now (5000 mcg, or one pill a day) and my nails have stopped breaking.

.... on the other hand, any promising effect on hair?

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gj Michelob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2009 16:22:04

srshea

Posts: 833
Joined: Oct. 29 2006
From: Olympia, WA in the Great Pacific Northwest

RE: Super Glue on the Nails (in reply to srshea)

All good stuff, folks. Advice will be heeded; ideas will be explored.

And I apologize for starting another one of these threads. I’m surprised a bunch of balloons and confetti didn’t start raining down over me for starting the Foro’s one-millionth nail thread. And lucky, too, since they probably would have been lead balloons….

Thanks again!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2009 9:31:00