Breaking your nails before a big event or date can be frustrating if you don't have the time or money to fix it at the salon. You will be disappointed if your nails break a lot after spending months growing the perfect nails. And if the tear, split, or crack extends to the nail bed, it can be very painful. But don't worry, there are many ways you can do yourself to fix your nails – easy, temporary (not permanent), semi-permanent, and safely – until your nails grow back to the length you want.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Fix Your Nails Temporarily
Step 1. Remove all nail polish
First, remove all the nail polish you are using so you can clearly see the extent of the crack in your nail and fix it right away. The type of nail polish remover you use will depend on the type of nail polish you are using. For example, if you use a very dark or shiny nail polish, use an acetone nail polish remover. Wet a cotton swab, pad, or cloth with nail polish remover and then wipe it in the direction of the nail crack so it doesn't cause more tearing.
Keep in mind if you use acetone nail polish remover: in general, acetone nail polish remover should not be used on natural nails because it will dry out the nails, making them more likely to break. Acetone should also not be used on acrylic nails or other types of artificial nails
Step 2. Cut and shape a piece of tape
Use small fingernails or sewing scissors, if you have one, to cut off tape that is larger than your nail bed. Now cut your tape to the shape of the nail bed. It's easier to hold the tape with tweezers. Your tape may not be the exact shape of your nail bed. In fact, it's better to shrink the tape slightly so it doesn't touch your cuticles and the skin around your nails than to oversize your tape. Make sure your tape is slightly longer and hangs over the tip of your nail.
Step 3. Stick the tape over your nails
Using your fingers or tweezers, stick the shaped piece of tape over your nail bed. Press the tape with your finger and smooth it in place to prevent air from entering and wrinkling the tape.
Step 4. Smooth the tape over your nails
Using regular scissors or nail clippers, trim off any excess tape on your nails. Next, use a nail file with a smooth surface to file gently at the top of the nail, in the direction of the crack, then smooth the tape with the tip of your nail. Soak your nails under cold water for a while to remove any dust on them and then dry them with a clean cloth.
Step 5. Apply one coat of nail polish
This step is not very important, but it is recommended that you do it, especially if you are not planning to fix your nails permanently. Apply 1-2 coats of nail polish, nail polish, or base coat on the surface of your nails. Make sure you wait 2 minutes each time you apply. If your other nails are smeared, then polish yours as well. Your nails are dry if you can put them on your lips and they feel cool and not sticky.
Step 6. Remove the tape
When you are ready to remove the temporary “scarring” of your nails, dip a cotton swab in the acetone nail polish remover and apply it to your nails for about a minute so that the acetone liquid soaks into the tape, then pull your finger and gently peel off the tape in the same direction. with the direction of the crack. The tape may peel off on its own when you remove nail polish with acetone.
Method 2 of 4: Saving Your Nails Easily
Step 1. Prepare your nails
Wet a cotton swab, pad, or cloth with nail polish remover and then rub it over your nails in the direction of the crack to prevent the crack from spreading. If you're using a nail polish that's too dark or too glittery, use acetone. Next, use the smooth side of the nail file or the second smoothest side of the 4-sided nail file and gently smooth the edges of your nails. Again, to avoid further damage, don't slide your nails back and forth while filing the edges.
Step 2. Apply nail glue or super glue for nails on the nail cracks
Both glues are thin glues that spread quickly, so you can save money on them. Secure the crack with your finger, applying a drop of nail glue or super glue to the top and bottom of the crack. Use a toothpick or cuticle stick to hold the nail in place for 30-40 seconds.
- Hold your nails long enough to make them stick, but not too long so you don't break the bonds that are forming when you try to remove the cuticle or toothpick you used.
- These glues generally won't last when exposed to various acetone nail polish removers, so it's important to re-glue your nails if you use acetone.
Step 3. File your glue and nails
Allow your nail glue to dry until it feels cool enough and isn't sticky. Since your glue won't be smooth on the surface of your nail, use the rough side of the nail file or the second roughest side of a 4-sided nail file and gently file the glue until it's almost fused to the surface of your nail. Then, use the smooth side of the nail file or the second smoothest side of the 4-sided nail file until no bumps remain..
Look carefully all the way to the edges of your nails, making sure your glue blends in with your skin as well. This will prevent the crack from breaking, and will also make the crack less visible
Step 4. Clean your nails
To remove glue around your nails or elsewhere, moisten a cotton swab or cotton buds with acetone nail polish remover and apply it directly over the glue, so the glue will dissolve immediately once the acetone has completely absorbed. Then wipe with a clean cloth. If there is a piece of glue that is still attached, do not peel or match. Apply more nail polish remover by repeating the procedure. To remove nail glue, soften your nails and other areas, if needed, in warm water for 2-3 minutes. Remove any glue that is soft but still on your finger. For larger clumps of glue that are difficult to remove, file them gently. Then, use a cotton swab or cotton swab to apply the acetone nail polish remover over the glue for a few minutes before you wipe the area with a rag.
After that, wash your hands with soap and warm water until clean
Method 3 of 4: Patching Your Nails for a Longer Time (Permanent)
Step 1. Remove the nail polish you used
If you have nail polish on your nails, remove it. Use a cotton swab, pad or soft cloth, dip it in nail polish remover (use acetone nail polish remover for dark or glossy nail polish) and gently rub it over the surface of your nails. Make sure you rub in the direction of the crack to prevent the crack from expanding.
Step 2. File and smooth your nails
Use the smooth side of the file or the second smoothest side of the 4-sided nail file to flatten and smooth the edges of your nails, of course in the direction of the crack. Since you will be placing an object, or a patch on the surface of your nail for some time, first make sure your nails feel as smooth as possible. Therefore, use the rough side of the nail file or the second roughest side of the 4-sided nail file, then file the entire nail surface to smooth the nails.
Be careful not to apply too much pressure while you are filing your nails as this can damage your nails
Step 3. Prepare your patch
The material you choose to use as a patch will depend on a variety of factors, such as what material you have, how strong your nails are and your activity. You can use silk or fiberglass wrap, cloth or an empty tea bag. First, cut your patch material into a rectangle, as long and as wide as your nail. If you are using a tea bag, empty it first and then cut off the top side of your tea bag. Now, a) cut your patch slightly wide so it doesn't touch the skin on either side of your nail and b) cut the length of your patch so that it covers half of your nail then extend from the tip of the nail about 0.5 to 1 centimeter (1/8-1/4 inch)).
- Silk wrap, which you can buy online or from a beauty supply store, is thin, flexible, almost invisible when you've attached it to your nails. This wrap is great for strong nail types.
- Fiberglass wraps, which you can also buy online or from beauty supply stores, also look very natural (almost imperceptible) but are great for thin, weak nail types.
- Linen wraps, including cloth and tea bags, are tough and can usually last as long as silk and fiberglass wraps. Linen wraps, fabrics, and tea bags are thicker and opaque so they need to be filed more to get smooth and blend in with the nails.
Step 4. Glue the cracks on your nails
Using either superglue or nail glue, apply a drop above and below the crack. Use a toothpick or cuticle file to apply glue along the crack. Hold the crack with a toothpick or cuticle prick for 30-40 seconds, just long enough for the glue to set but not so long that you can leave it. Both types of glue will dry in 2 minutes.
Step 5. Glue the patch over your nail
Apply a coat of base (base coat) then immediately apply the patch over it. Make sure your patch is about 0.5-1 centimeter longer than the tip of the nail, about half way to your nail bed. Press with your finger to smooth the patch and to avoid air bubbles and wrinkles. Let it dry for at least 5-10 minutes. If you are using tea bags, one of the most popular filling materials, your tea bags should appear see-through.
Or, you can use super glue instead of a base coat
Step 6. Cut and file your nail patch
Take nail clippers or sewing scissors and cut off the remaining patch on the tip of your nail. Then use the rough side of the nail file or the second roughest side of the 4-sided file to gently flatten a) the tip of your nail, b) the edge on the side of your nail where the patch and your nail meet and c) the center of the place where the patch attached to your nail bed. Then use the smooth side of the nail file or the second smoothest side of the 4-sided nail file and gently smooth each area until there are no more lumps.
Do what you can to file in the direction of the crack as much as you can
Step 7. Apply more nail polish base then finish by applying nail polish
After you have finished filing and smoothing your nails, wash your fingers to remove any dust and debris. Dry your fingers with a clean cloth before reapplying the base coat. Wait 2 minutes then apply 2 coats of nail polish. Wait 2 minutes each time you apply. Finish by applying a top coat to strengthen the layer.
- Using a top coat can make your nail polish last longer so your patch can last longer too. Use nail polish remover, whether acetone or not, all at once or periodically but often so that the patch can take off.
- Super glue or nail glue, if that's what you choose to use, will hold nail polish remover instead of acetone better, even with frequent use. This glue will not work well with acetone nail polish remover, although you can minimize the damage by using a small amount at a time.
Method 4 of 4: Properly Plucking Broken Nails
Step 1. Trim the broken nail
When your nail is almost completely broken from your nail bed, it is generally important to remove the broken part to prevent infection. Use nail clippers or sewing scissors carefully to cut off the part where the crack ends (that's all). Carefully remove the cut nail from the nail bed, using either your fingers or tweezers.
Step 2. Stop the bleeding if it occurs on your nails
If bleeding occurs, apply direct pressure to the area. Use a clean cloth, medical gauze or cotton. Press firmly and evenly for a few minutes. Make sure the cloth, medical gauze, or cotton swab do not stick to the rough edges around the fracture point. If that happens, remove it slowly and carefully so that your nail doesn't break even more. If the bleeding occurs again when you remove the cloth, medical gauze or cotton swab, repeat the procedure.
Step 3. Trim any remaining material or anything left on your nails
To prevent your nails from breaking again and to grow them evenly, trim off any edges or scraps of your nails. If your nail crack is vertical, for example, and not as long as your fingernail, use nail clippers or regular scissors to trim any remaining nail near your nail bed. Next, use the smooth side of the nail file or the second smoothest side of the 4-sided nail file to smooth the tips of the now short nails.
- If the tear is as long as your nail but is still rough in places, such as in the corners, carefully use a nail file or 4-sided nail file to gently flatten and smooth the nails so that all nails look even and uniform.
- Additionally, if the crack is deep enough into your nail bed to bleed profusely, don't pull your fingernail, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and see a doctor.
Step 4. Soak and clean your finger
Fill a large bowl, sink, or cup with cool but not cold water. Soak your finger in the water for 20 minutes. After that dry with a clean and soft cloth and then leave for a few minutes to dry completely. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to the bleeding area so it can heal faster and reduce the chance of infection.
Step 5. Protect your nails and nail bed
After applying the antibiotic ointment, immediately cover your nail and nail bed with the bandage fairly tightly. You can also use gauze and medical tape to cover your nails and nail bed. Wear your plaster all day and up to two days later.
Step 6. Soak your finger in salted water
On the fourth day, you can remove your plaster. Mix about 250 milliliters of water with tablespoon of salt. Make sure you stir it quickly so the salt doesn't settle to the bottom. Soak your finger in the salt water solution for 20 minutes every day for seven days to avoid the risk of infection. Each time you soak, lift your finger briefly and then stir in your salt water again.
- Make sure your fingers are as clean as possible during this time, wash them frequently, using an antibacterial soap. If your fingers get very dirty, wash them with soap and warm water as soon as possible and then dry them with a clean cloth.
- Keep an eye on your nails once they have healed. If after the seventh day of soaking in salt water there are signs of infection such as pus, redness, heat around the nails and swelling, immediately consult a doctor.
