NWR: Nails

Re: NWR: Nails

• veelavelate member

  

  January 2012 edited January 2012

  I used to bite my nails, from when I was a kid to a year ago or so, although I tried to stop multiple times. It was just something I did unconsiously. What finally allowed me to break the habit was getting acrylics (from a salon, not the glue on or press on kind.) I tried to bite those too at first, but since they were so hard I couldn't. After a few weeks, I realized that I had stopped even trying.  Now, to keep from starting the habit back (I still get tempted sometimes!) I just keep them cut really short and polished. 

  
  

  I know acrylics are bad for your nails, but in the long run they worked for me. Nothing else worked, but you could try Bitrix or special nail polish that tastes really bitter (like Orly No Bite, etc.)

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• Melissa603 member

  

  January 2012

  Do you bite when you have polish on? Something that is super easy and relatively cheap are the Sally Hansen nail stickers. They take about 10 minutes and have a ton of different patterns and last about 2 weeks. Might be something worth a try. 

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• Carebear62584 member

  

  January 2012

  I'm in the same boat as you.  I stopped for a while when I got CalGel done from the salon.  They were great in that it is only putting layers on your nails, not any kind of filing or anything so they didn't damage my nails.  It was expensive though and lasted about 2 weeks.  The worst part of it was that I did it in the summer when I was bartending so they screwed up really easily.  I might try again closer to the wedding.

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• ncd5015 member

  

  January 2012

  I used to bite mine also until I got gel/shellac. Unlike acrylic, it hasn't weakened my nails, it's actually made them stronger. I go about every 4 weeks to get the color changed and i've had it for over a year and a half.

  
  

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• DrPB2b13 member

  

  January 2012

  Pay attention to your habits.  I nibble when I get stressed, and to make matters worse my nails are about as thick as cardstock so they don't break, they rip really easily (it's a genetic thing, my dad's are even worse than mine).  Nail polish doesn't even phase me, I'll literally scrape it off without even thinking about it and the next thing I know, I'm biting again.
  
  I noticed that I nibble when I'm doing something mindless (e.g. not self-aware), like driving or watching TV, especially if I don't have a snack.  I also do it when my fingers are cold, I'm presuming because it's a lot warmer to be around my face than anything else!  So to make up for this, I've started chewing gum a lot in the car, and I find other things to keep my hands busy.
  
  I'm going to end up going the acrylics route soon just because my nails ARE so thin, I can't grow them out very much even without biting, but I'm trying to break the habit anyway!  Chomping down on acrylics won't be much fun...

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• MMRoberts11 member

  

  January 2012

  I agree with Abbe, figure out when you do it and somehow change the habit. 
  
  I used to bite my nails all the time and then I did the rubber band trick.  I put a rubber band around my wrist and every time I noticed that I bit a nail I'd pull it back as far as I could and then release.  Man did it hurt but it didn't take too many hits before I quit.
  
  If I slip up I just do the rubber band trick again and it works.

  

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• [Deleted User]

  

  January 2012 edited January 2012

  I actually figured out when I started again why I bite. For me it's when I'm stressed (i.e with school) or unoccupied. But mostly the later, and it's because I work as a lifeguard. I'm a fidgeter so I constantly do things subconsciously when I guard. I chew my whistles (which isn't that bad), my nails, play with my hair, sing, and it's worst when I am super bored.

  
  

   I can't change that or my job, so I guess I need to find other things to do. When I quit the first time it was actually because I had a bandaid on one of my fingers for a week, and that nail got long enough that I was able to use will power not to bite it. So maybe gels or acrylics are the answer, but I've always wondered if they could do them on my tiny nails (I also have really small hands). Gum is a good idea too though I can't be chewing the entire time I am at work. 

  
  

  And I do tend to bite when I have polish on. Usually I bite at that first and then it is all gone. I tried the bad tasting stuff when I was a teen and I remember just biting it off as well. 

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• doeie04 member

  

  January 2012

  Try dipping your fingers in nail polish remover. It tastes horrible and you will notice right away if you start biting. (I have done this on accident after doing my nails. Yuck!)

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• laurabub

  

  January 2012 edited January 2012

  I pick at my cuticles when I get stressed...looks terrible.  I've been trying SOOO SOO SOOO hard to stop this habit.  Honestly I told my FI that he needs to tell me to stop whenever he sees me do it.  Sometimes having someone else point it out helps.  I was embarrassed and that help too   Plus sometimes I didn't even notice that I did it.
  
  Good luck.  Just think about how pretty your nails will be on your wedding day if you stop!!  I make myself think about it everyday!

  
  June 2012 April Siggy Challenge: Rings
  

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