If you are looking for a way to repair your nails after biting and damaging them, then you’ve come to the right place.
This article today will be providing you with a simple solution that works for the majority of people.
I have to confess. Despite being a Certified Nail Technician and Manicurist, I am prone to biting my nails.
I have been working over the years to reduce this habit, but I’ve also had to learn how to repair damaged nails from years of biting.
Sometimes life just throws at us some bad news, or an awkward situation can throw us into a stressful situation.
It’s common to turn to your nails for relief, and by picking and biting them, you feel a sense of control and strangely feel better.
Even if your nails are starting to bleed and become sore.
If you’re like me and you also fall victim to this habit, then the best advice I can give is to try and focus on your triggers.
Identify when and why you start biting, to begin with and then try to override the urge.
Its tough, but with a bit of conscious effort, you can start to stop this nasty habit in its tracks.
Your nails will thank you!
In the meantime, I’d like to bring to you today the best way to repair your damaged nails from biting.
I’d like to provide you with some expert tips and tricks to help restore your natural nail health quickly and effectively.
The best way to repair and restore your nails is by applying a natural and well-formulated Cuticle Oil and/or Cuticle Cream.
You’ll also want to ensure that you are not continuing to cause further damage and that you are providing your body with what it needs for optimal growth and repair.
Assessing the Damage
Now here’s the interesting part.
Where and how you have bitten your nails, largely depends on the amount of damage you have caused and what will be required to heal them.
If you have only bitten the ends of your natural nails and the tips, you are in a much more favorable position.
If your biting extends to your cuticles and the skin around your nails, this is when it is likely to be more problematic.
If you have Hangnails (Torn Skin), or if you have torn off parts of your Nail Plate, you’re going to need to be a bit more patient and stringent in your approach.
For example, if you have bitten off or picked at your polish, you may have compromised your nail plates and cuticles, causing the nail plate to thin.
How Long To Heal Bitten Nails?
If you follow the recommendations below, you can expect to see new growth and strength in just a few days.
Using a well-formulated Cuticle Oil and/or Cuticle Cream will be really effective here, and can really fasten the process.
If you have Hangnails, or if your Cuticles have torn or split, treatment will take a little bit longer and you can expect to see improvements in a few weeks.
For this level of damage, it is advised to get a decent Hand Moisturizer/Lotion to ensure the torn skin can re-hydrate and regenerate.
Lastly, if you have a thinned nail plate due to biting and picking, it will most likely take 3-6 months.
This is how long it takes for the base of your nail to become the free edge of your nail.
How To Repair Damaged Nails From Biting
At this stage, I am going to assume that you have already bitten your nails and you are in need of some strategies to support and fasten their repair.
Here are my most recommended tips:
Tip #1 – Apply Cuticle Oil and Cuticle Cream Regularly
Using Cuticle Oil and/or Cuticle Cream on your nails is one of the most effective ways to repair them if you get a reputable product.
The best Cuticle Oils are potently formulated with Essential Oils, Vitamins and Minerals which help to provide a healthy environment that your nails like to grow and repair.
You want to look for a Cuticle Oil/Cream that contains essential oils. This is really effective at moisturizing and hydrating your weakened nails.
This is because they are able to penetrate deep into your nail plate and restore the natural oils that are found naturally in your nail.
LondonTown sell my favorite Cuticle Oil. It’s full of vitamins and free from all the nasty chemicals like Formaldehyde, Toulene, and DB. Plus it’s vegan and cruelty-free!
LondonTown also does a terrific Cuticle Cream too. I often use in parallel with their cuticle oil. It conditions and softens cuticles and has a mineral-rich formula that supports nail health and growth.
In my experience, the best way to get the most out of your Cuticle products is to apply a generous amount of Cuticle Cream each night just before you go to sleep.
And then apply Cuticle Oil throughout the day.
Tip #2 – Apply a Hardener/Basecoat to Your Nails
Applying a fortified Hardener/Basecoat to your nails is another great way to add some extra protection to them.
It will give them giving them an extra layer of strength that will stop other harmful components from getting on them and weakening them further.
This is recommended if you have to work a job that may cause trauma to your nails, or where you need to wash your hands regularly.
You might as well get the LondonTown basecoat too and get it all in one order.
Plus, they currently have 20% off, so add it all to your basket and save!
It helps that it’s a great product aswell!
This base coat is great at providing instant support to your nails as it works in under 10 minutes.
It also works inside your nail and doesn’t sit directly on top of it so it is great over the course of the day.
Tip #3 – Wear Gloves Where Possible
One of the reasons why nails become weak and damaged in the first place is because they can dry out.
As such, you do not want to keep regularly wetting and drying them – particularly with soaps and other hand creams.
Instead, it is advised that you wear gloves when doing household chores, such as the dishes, so that you can reduce the number of times that you need to get your nails wet.
Tip #4 – Do Not Cut Your Cuticles
While it’s unlikely you want to cut your nails after biting, do not do this (even if you want to even them up).
Cutting your cuticles will cause more damage as they are important for fighting off infections. Cutting them will also result in stunted nail growth.
Instead, it is advised to push back your cuticles using an Orange Stick or Cotton Wool Bud.
Tip #5 – Use All Natural Nail Products Devoid of Chemicals
Ironically, a lot of ingredients in Nail Products are not good for the long-term health and strength of your nails.
Many have chemicals that wreak havoc.
If you are therefore trying to repair your nails following a period of biting, now is the time more than ever to ensure that you are only using nail-safe products.
That means no more Acetone Nail Polish Remover!
Tip #5 – Up Your Protein, Fruit, and Veggies!
Just like any bodily system, function, and process; you need to provide your body with the raw material it needs to replenish and grow strong.
As such, be sure to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to get the minerals and vitamins it needs to repair.
It is always first advised to eat a well-balanced diet, but if you struggle or have a busy lifestyle then supplements can be a fantastic addition.
There are even particular formulations that include an abundance of the minerals and vitamins that your nails utilize and need in abundance.
Also, nails are made from a protein called Keratin.
Eating foods that are high in protein is a great way to ensure that you are getting enough of it in your diet.
If you struggle to get enough Keratin in your diet, which is lacking in common protein sources like Chicken, Eggs and Beef, then consider taking a Collagen Supplement.
There are a lot of positive reviews on Amazon of the Pure Encapsulations because you can take it in pill form.
Many people swear by its effectiveness.
Final Words
I know it’s tough to stop biting your nails, but doing so can help you to get your Natural Nails back to their glimmering best.
If you really struggle to stop biting your nails, then you may need to get a product like Mavala that you can apply to your nails to stop you from biting altogether.
One that has a harmless but foul taste that stops you in your tracks.
Ultimately, by applying a few widely recommended products regularly throughout the day, you can repair any damage quickly, no matter how much damage there actually is.
Hey – I’m Jemma – a certified nail technician and manicurist with over fifteen years of hands-on industry experience. I created AlmondNails.com to share all that I have learned about the nail industry – from the different types of manicures available, suggestions for wear, recommendations for keeping nails strong and healthy, all the way through to providing the best nail salon tips and practices.