Finger Nail Problem.

bluecat

Generally I don't have a problem with the nails on my picking hand but very very occasionally the nails will crack and have to be cut.The main problem is that I have to play on skin for the next week or so untill they grow.I avoid bleach and very hot water.
Any ideas FretBoarders,I am open to suggestions.

Snags

My solution to this, after asking in /acoustics was to get Barielle Nail Strengthener cream and use it on my picking hand.

A pot lasts ages. For the first month or so I put it on twice a day, but since then I put it on maybe two or three times a week and it stops all the shaling and splitting that used to happen. It doesn't stop you slicing into your nail with a kitchen knife though ...

A friend just goes down the nail bar and gets acrylics put on every fortnight, but that sounds like a lot of faff.

bluecat

Years ago my ex had acrylics installed but it rotted the nail underneath but Brielle nail strengthener sounds really good.

bertie

diet and strengthener / treatments     

bluecat

Just had major surgery 7weeks ago Bertie,just started to put a bit of weight on again,the surgeon said I could eat anything but I have never been one to eat a load of crap,just good protein and good veg and salad,so maybe diet is not a problem.
Maybe strengtheners may help,thanks.

Funkfingers

Develop calluses.

Play finger style bass.

JonnyBgoode

You say that generally you don't have problems so it sounds like your nails are pretty strong and you don't need to bother with acrylics or stick on nails  etc 

Main thing is to keep them filed with smooth edges (get a 4 way buffer thingy from Boots) and moisturise them with a decent cream eg E45 or even simply a little lip balm after you wash your hands. This will prevent them drying out and cracking.

bertie

bluecat said:

Just had major surgery 7weeks ago Bertie,just started to put a bit of weight on again,the surgeon said I could eat anything but I have never been one to eat a load of crap,just good protein and good veg and salad,so maybe diet is not a problem.
Maybe strengtheners may help,thanks.

calcium   is what Im on about  -   things that strengthen the nails, as opposed to a generally shit diet  

I also "take care"  of them - regular filing,  make sure no "splinters" or dings can develop into splits

I cant do callouses,  they're hard to develop and just dont sound or feel the same.

bluecat

I don't drink milk Bertie ,but I love all kinds of real cheese!thanks again.

bertie

bluecat said:

I don't drink milk Bertie 

ah -  I get through about 4 litres a week............   mooooo

ToneControl

Snags said:

My solution to this, after asking in /acoustics was to get Barielle Nail Strengthener cream and use it on my picking hand.

A pot lasts ages. For the first month or so I put it on twice a day, but since then I put it on maybe two or three times a week and it stops all the shaling and splitting that used to happen. It doesn't stop you slicing into your nail with a kitchen knife though ...

A friend just goes down the nail bar and gets acrylics put on every fortnight, but that sounds like a lot of faff.

that Barielle stuff really does work

axisus

I use my index finger nail instead of a plec. The problem is though that my nail is very weak and is always breaking. For years now I have been using acrylic to make the nail useable. Small bottle of liquid, small tub of powder. I dip a brush into the liquid, then into the powder, then slap in on my nail. It dries quite a lot in about a minute then I push it into shape, I sand it a bit around a minute later then it's good to go for about a week. No bad after affects to my nail. I also use it if I get a split down another nail to hold it together. 

bluecat

In the 70'siwhen I was doing the blues and folk venues I used to use clear nail varnish and tissue paper and layer it up until I got the right thickness,then I would shape up with a nail file.
I can't be arsed with that procedure now I am not gigging,just want some thing easier.it looked ugly at the time but it served its purpose.

Strangefan

I don't use a pick jusy my finger nail, (I can still shred) I put superglue on the nail which stops it wearing down 

bertie

bluecat said:

In the 70'siwhen I was doing the blues and folk venues I used to use clear nail varnish and tissue paper and layer it up until I got the right thickness,then I would shape up with a nail file.

that and ping-pong balls

bluecat

Never tried that Bertie but I can see it working.

M1ck

@ToneControl, @snags,
Where do you get Barielle from? I’ve tried my local Boots and Superdrug but no luck.

Mellish

@M1ck ; - Amazon has it if you can buy online.

Or try a nail salon , 

Snags

@M1ck yeah, what Mellish said - I've given in to the Bezos empire and just get it from Amazon.

M1ck

@Mellish & @snags cheers both - I was trying to avoid Amazon if poss but I guess I’ll have to give in! I had thought of nail bars but we don’t have any locally - Boots and Superdrug on the otherhand!

artiebear

I have talked about this on the acoustic section before as for me acrylics are great. I used to have my nails  done at a salon years ago, then for the last 7 years I have just bought 1) primer 2) acrylic liquid 3( acrylic powder 4) decent nail files  5) a good application brush 6) brush cleaner / acrylic remover and got on with the job myself as required.

Until a couple of years ago, I was doing a lot of acoustic gigs, which needed something way beyond my natural nails and the ability to apply something nearly as tough as fibre glass whenever needed has been brilliant for me. Even now I still keep my nails coated so that I can get the most out of my guitars. 

I did play with mostly calloused pads for about 25 years before that, but the difference in attack and output from acrylics has had me sold ever since.