I swear every time my nails look long and perfectlike, could-make-it-on-the-'gram perfectI end up with a massive chip or snag. Kiss Precision Nail Glue (Buy It, $4, walgreens.com) is one option, made especially for fine nail tears. 
While studying magazine journalism at Syracuse University, she completed an internship at Cosmopolitan, getting her first glimpse at the media industry. Make sure that the ends of the tape are flat against the nail. % of people told us that this article helped them. If necessary, use small nail scissors or regular scissors to trim away excess material. One of my favorite tricks for a broken nail is to apply a quick set of press-on or glue-on nails to hold you over until your broken nail grows out, explains Yankee. 
Press the broken piece of nail gently but firmly onto the area where it broke off for 30 to 60 seconds until it stays attached. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Thank you. There are several tricks you can use to fix the damage. Dont touch the injured area directly so that you dont cause any extra pain or injury. [7] The tea bag material is permeable, which helps it quickly adhere to your nails using only clear polish. "If you keep at least two coats of polish on top of them, that's very effective in helping prevent a break. Top with a coat of gel nail polish to reaffirm the bandage and provide extra protection. Change your bandage each time you soak or clean the wound. 
Make sure that both broken sides are lined up evenly before applying the tape. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Step 3: Trim a tea bag or paper coffee filter to the size of a small patch that can cover the break in the nail. Occasionally, nail splitting can also be caused by a medical condition, including thyroid issues or anemia, so talk to your doctor if this condition persists. Keep nails shorter, Dr. Stern advises. Repeat this procedure two or three times daily for the first three days. Coconut oil is a great way to naturally keep your nails healthy as it is thought to strengthen nail, moisturize cuticles, and prevent ridges. How can I help my nails grow more quickly? Use a pair of nail scissors to trim off any leftover tape around the nail. Here's what you'll do: Alright, you may not want to hear this, but there isn't a truly permanent fix for a broken nail. Work slowly to prevent yourself from causing additional damage. Step 2: Using a glass or crystal file, gently file any snags, but be sure to avoid the split itself. method (applied firmly, wrapped around the front and back of the nail, and filing it down flush to the nail) was a super helpful quick fix to help keep the nail temporarily intact until full repair is attainable. Updated February 26, 2020. Chloe Hall oversees all beauty coverage at ELLE.com. ", following the directions much much easier. Some people in the questions said that you can use nail. If you need to quickly fix a broken nail, cut a small piece of clear tape so its just big enough to cover the tear. Keeping them moisturized and polished is the best solution to avoiding breakage., The Night Our Dating Diarist Slept With 5 People, Your Monthly Horoscope for August Is Here, 57 Super Cool (And Useful) Travel Gift Ideas. Promise. Batory M, Namieciski P, Rotsztejn H. Evaluation of structural damage and pH of nail plates of hands after applying different methods of decorating. Case report of nail bed injury after blunt trauma; what lies beneath the nail? Here are some common causes of nail breaks: Nail injuries are common and can usually be remedied at home. The next best option is getting a gel manicure, followed by having your nails covered with regular polish. Here's what you'll do: This hack is one of the more durable at-home fixes on the listand it's also got Yankee's seal of approval. The advantage of this method is that it creates a very thin layer that's less noticeable under nail polish (compared to the small bump you might create with either glue method). Dont bite or pick at your nails or rip off hangnails. 
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If not, no biggie, not all is lost. Short Nail Designs That Prove You Don't Need Length to Have Fun, How to Remove Press-On Nails with Minimal Damage and Effort, How to Use Essential Nail Grooming Tools for Perfect DIY Manicures, Discovering This Dip Powder Nail Kit Has Transformed My DIY Manicures, How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home Without Damaging Your Real Ones, What to Do If Your Toenail Is Falling Off (but Still Attached), How to Do a Pedicure at Home That Rivals a Salon Treatment, Valentine's Day Nail Designs You'll Fall Hard for This Year, Easy Spring Nail Designs for Celebrating Warmer Weather, 7 Possible Causes of Fingernail Pain and How to Treat It, Exactly How to Get a Salon-Quality Manicure at Home, How to Copy Sydney Sweeney's Cute Manicure for Spring, According to Her Nail Artist, Winter Nail Designs You Can Totally Manage at Home, 20 St. Patrick's Day Nails That'll Bring You All the Luck, How to Get Healthy Hair, According to Megan Fox's Hairstylist. You now know how to fix a broken nail, but how do you prevent them from breaking in the first place? If you caught your nail on something and ripped it off, unfortunately, it won't reattachbut it will eventually grow back. To make it easier to cut the tape without having to peel the tape off the scissor blades, use small nail scissors or sewing scissors. Signs of possible infection include: fever, redness, increased heat to the injury, pain, tenderness, swelling, or puss. Put another layer of glue over the tea bag material. They're actually perfect for patching up a nail break, says Yankee. 
Use firm, even pressure to secure the tape in place. Trim or clip your nails regularly to keep them short. ", Even if you don't like wearing nail color, you can still fight breakage. See a doctor if you see any bleeding or have any intense pain or discomfort from the injury or an infection. Serious breaks can also injure the nail bed and nail matrix, where the cells that make up the nail are produced. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Deborah Lippmanns Hard Rock Nail Strengthening Top and Base Coat, Dashing Divas Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Nail Strips. Cut out a tiny piece of clear tape, such as Scotch tape or gift-wrapping tape, big enough to cover the broken area of your nail. If you have a minor break, you can use one of the methods below to seal the crack while your nail continues to grow out. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The thin, porous material of a tea bag makes it a perfect patch for your broken nail. Read our, File the Broken Nail (and All Your Nails, While You're at It), Wipe Your Broken Nail With Rubbing Alcohol, Apply Gel Basecoat, Then Adhere the Tea Bag to the Crack. Am Fam Physician. Broken nails could signal that its time to cut them. Dashing Diva Without A Trace Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Strips. Master's Degree, Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville. However, if you have long almond-, oval-, stiletto-, or coffin-shaped nails and youve cracked one edge, youll want to file the jagged edge (as opposed to clipping) and move on to step two. When in doubt, grab a silk wrap. The silk wrap, which comes in liquid and pre-cut strips, will bind to the nail like a band-aid or first aid wrap. 2012;85(8):779-787. If you think glue is the only option for you, please proceed with caution and make sure you dont have any allergies. Once dry, buff out any rough patches before moving on to the next step. Preferably you'll use a glue that's on the thinner side, which is typically sold in a cylindrical tube rather than a flat or squared bottle at the drugstore, she says. It is advisable to let the adhesive dry overnight before doing this step to avoid creating bubbles or uneven patches. Who knew there was such a thing? We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Last medically reviewed on April 4, 2019, There are three most common types of injuries that can occur to your fingernail bed, and yes, they usually involve a hammer, door, or saw. This can prevent them from snagging, and prevent dirt buildup underneath the nail. If desired, you can apply nail polish over the nail once the top coat dries. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. ", And of course, to avoid broken nails in the future, Yankees advises all her clients to moisturize daily with cuticle oil and keep their hands protected from the elements. Information for preteens: Body science, smashed fingers, and torn nails. 
Again, it is important to avoid getting glue directly on your fingers. Unfortunately, no matter how much you try to avoid breaking a nailfrom religiously applying strengthening serum (were obsessed with ISDIN Si-Nails Strengthening Treatment, $32) and learning how to correctly remove gel polish to avoid excessive exposure to hot water, which might soften nails and lead to more cracks and snagsits rather unavoidable at least every once in a while. Even if the tear in your nail isn't super deep or there's no sign of blood, it's important to carefully clean and disinfect the area first using an alcohol swab, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptic cream. In a process that's similar to using a tea bag or dip powder, this tutorial shows how utilizing household items can repair a broken nail. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You want to prevent total loss of your nail and complications that can occur as a result, such as infections or ingrown nails. unlocking this expert answer. Coffee filter material also works! Evaluation of nail abnormalities. NOTE: If you continue to apply glue and buff the affected nail each week, the tea bag may eventually be buffed off. If youre using larger scissors, trim the tape using the tip of the blades. Clean off any excess oil and polish from the broken nail, mend the crack with nail glue, and then stick the gel strip on top as a tape-like alternative. "Dip manicures are all the rage right now, and because they are acrylic based, they provide maximum reinforcement to prevent breakage," she says. Looks like a trip to the corner store is just what the manicurist ordered. 
Step 6: Allow it to dry. Apply pressure for at least 1 minute to ensure that the nail adheres properly. Au natural is great, but when it comes to breakage sometimes youve got to fake it until you make it. Plus, we included some of the best YouTube tutorials for the different methods of broken nail care. Step 1: Clip the broken nail as close to the fingertip as you can. Put a thin layer of nail glue or super glue across the broken part of your nail. Keep reading for some ridiculously good nails. Rubbing in the opposite direction could cause the nail to peel up further. Mix 1 tsp of salt into 4 cups of warm water. Using tweezers, attach the tape to your nail so that it covers the entire torn or broken area. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 
2019;58(3):311-318. doi:10.1111/ijd.14198, How to Prevent Your Nail Polish From Cracking and Peeling, Gel Manicures: A Complete Guide to Gel Nails, Squoval Nail Shape: How to File Squoval Nails. A broken fingernail happens when part of your nail gets torn, chipped, split, smashed, or broken off. Place the cloth or pad directly over the injury and press firmly for several minutes. Picking off nail polish and pressing on your nails can cause them to peel. Untreated nails can lead to infections or ulcers if you have one of these diseases. Now that your nail is buffed and filed to perfection, its time to put your nail back together. Most times when you visually see something, it makes, "Had a long nail that cracked way down in the nail bed. our process. Here are some tips to keep your nails from breaking or getting injured: Your fingers are involved in all sorts of daily activities, so there are plenty of ways your nails can break. This can result from your nail getting caught on something or being involved in some kind of finger trauma. What It Means If You Have Peeling NailsPlus, How to Fix Them, Red Carpet Manicure Color Dip Neutral Nail Powder, The Best Press-On Nails for a Salon-Worthy Mani at Home, L'Occcitane Wonderful Rose Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Oil. Ahead, Dr. Stern, MD, shares her best tips and tricks for combatting broken nails. Squeeze a small amount of nail glue onto the area where the nail broke off, and spread the glue out so that it forms a thin layer. 
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Then cover the nail with one or two more coats of clear polish. This measure provides extra balance and protection to the broken nail. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,226,761 times. X 
Fair. This is the most common substitution, and it works quite well. For the better results, rub the buffing stone in a single direction instead of rubbing it back and forth. The material should be as smooth as possible. See a doctor for help with your nail injury. Bona Fide Beauty Glass Nail File, $9.99, amazon.com, Corsets Are the Summer Trend You Need Right Now, The 26 Best Beauty Gift Sets for Every Budget, Beyoncs New Album Is HereEverything to Know, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. productslearn more about This can wear away or weaken your nail. The first thing you should do in this case is seek immediate medical attention to prevent infection or further injury. Kiara Sky Lightweight Dip Powder, $18.99, amazon.com, Kiara Sky Dip Powder Seal Protect, $10.85, amazon.com. Then, you'll essentially follow the same steps as above, using the bag instead of powder. Then youre probably familiar with the severe pain, bruising, and loss of sensation, Peeling nails can result from trauma to the nail. This will not only help the cloth adhere better but the polish, too. Let dry. This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. ORLY Nail Armor Liquid Wrap, $8.29, sallybeauty.com. It is painful to break a nail, but your fashion doesnt need to suffer too! Tully AS, Trayes KP, Studdiford JS. (2015). Can you glue a nail split and call it a day? 
By removing the nail, you allow yourself better access to the injured nail bed beneath. The salt water helps prevent infection. Nail as a window of systemic diseases. Have a doctor trim the nail if you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an immune system problem. Ever swung a hammer at a nail and smashed your finger instead? Lay the tape over the tear in the nail and press it down firmly so it adheres, then trim away any excess tape. I used the tea bag and super glue method and was amazed how, "I used a teabag and just some nail polish, not superglue. Now, if your nails are quite short, filing might be all it takes to repair your nail. This article has been viewed 1,226,761 times. Apply a thin layer of protective coating (such as a clear, base coat of nail polish) once the glue has dried. If the bandage gets wet, change it too. Its that simple. constant exposure to moisture, which can soften and weaken the nail, habitual biting or picking at nail chips or tears, getting a small chip or tear snagged on a piece of clothing or other object, which can chip or tear the nail even more. "Nail polish adds an armor," says Yankee. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 
We avoid using tertiary references. If it's a major break, clip 90 percent and file the remaining 10 percent., The reason filing is such a mustapart from the fact that most folks like smooth edgesis because doing so will help limit how far a crack can lead through the nail, which helps to avoid getting unnecessarily close to the quick. Chances are, you have all the essentials needed to repair a broken nail within reach. This content is imported from YouTube. 'Cause there's nothing worse than breaking a perfectly manicured nail. If the break is in a convenient spot to allow it to be cut down, it might be easiest to just cut it and trim the rest of your nails to match. Tea bag or even a piece of thin cloth works! It can ruin a day and alter a well-planned outfit. 
In this case, youll need to apply another piece of tea bag until the part of the nail thats torn grows out. Wait, Should I Be Using a Glass Nail File Tho? You could also use the tips of standard size scissors to cut the tape if you do not have small scissors. Acrylates are chemicals that commonly cause irritant and allergic dermatitis, she explains. Research source. If you do not have a nail mending kit, you can cut a piece of material out of a tea bag. The material should ideally be large enough to cover the entire nail with enough excess. "Instead, trim the nail and keep the finger clean until the wound heals. Then, you'll finish off with seal protect to harden the area, before finalizing the nail with the desired polish. It adheres nicely to your nails and helps to seamlessly patch the broken part back together. Methods work great, thanks so much. Pretty much. Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. However, if it's a larger break and you've punctured your skin, it's best to (literally) cut your losses. Never let an occasion be spoiled again by a broken nail. Once a nail splits or breaks, it will not grow back together. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Rub the tape on in the direction of the tear, never against it. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. After graduating, she joined Shape as an intern, eventually becoming a digital writer/producer before taking on her current role. Let your damaged finger or toe soak in the salt water for 20 minutes. All rights reserved. Dr. Dara Liotta is a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon with offices on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Dubai. The good news is that with a few hacks, a bit of patience, and some expert tips, it doesn't have to completely upend your manicure. 
We reached out to Dr. Dana Stern, a dermatologist specializing in nail care, to discuss what exactly you should be doing to repair your broken nails. The only catch? Step 7: After the clear polish has dried you can polish with the color of your choice to camouflage the teabag. Take special precaution, in the meantime, to avoid snagging the tape or the nail beneath.