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How to Fix a Broken Nail

Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:00am by bellasugar
4,034 Views - 20 comments

I don't love the gym, so Fit and I joke that it's progress when I merely think about exercising. Well, the other weekend I played soccer and was excited to tell Fit about my burst of fitness — until I noticed that I'd broken the nail of my big toe. ("It's a sign," I told Fit. "Exercise and me are not meant to be.")

There are much worse things in life than breaking a nail, but a bad split can be painful. And in some cases, like mine, there's no way to remove the broken part without exposing your nail bed. Fortunately, there's a pretty simple way to repair your nail. To learn how to do it, read more.

Since our nails can't heal themselves, your best bet is to keep the split nail from snagging while it grows out. If you don't want to walk around with a Band-Aid, try doing this to keep the broken nail as intact as possible.

What you'll need:

  • Clear nail polish
  • Nail clippers
  • Nail file
  • Scissors
  • One tea bag emptied of the tea, or a coffee filter
  • Colored nail polish (optional)

Step one: Clip the broken nail if possible, getting it as close to the tip of the finger or toe as you can. Gently file any snags, staying away from the split itself.

Step two: Trim the tea bag or coffee filter to the size of a small patch that can cover the break in the nail.

Step three: Paint the broken nail with a coat of clear polish. While it's still tacky, gently place the trimmed tea bag/coffee filter over the broken part of the nail.

Step four: Cover the nail with one or two more coats of polish. To cover the tea bag, use a colored polish.

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20 Comments Add a Comment

  • aimeeb's picture
    aimeeb
    2

    Interesting. I've never had a split this bad before. Normally I just cut the nail and wait for it to grow back out.

    22 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • haze's picture
    haze
    3

    I call this a DIY nail wrap. I've done it before using a snip of a coffee filter, a snip of tissue paper, or lens paper. It never holds for me. So maybe the trick is in the tea bag. I'll give that a go next time.

    22 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • bailaoragaditana's picture
    bailaoragaditana
    6

    Wow, I've never thought of that. Some of my flamenco-guitarist friends strengthen their nails with silk (and some of them - and these are men - get acrylics!), but I've never really thought of it as a way to fix breaks. Thanks for sharing!! I'll definitely be relying on this advice next time I break a nail.

    22 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • SaRaH 22's picture
    SaRaH 22
    8

    i usually just use a drop of nail glue or if im out superglue and then paint over it and USUALLY stays long enough untill it has grown out far enough

    22 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • julieulie's picture
    julieulie
    10

    Oh man, this happens to me ALL THE TIME. This might be the first time in 2 or 3 years that I haven't had a giant piece of a toe or fingernail missing. Ugh.

    22 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • jconcep's picture
    jconcep
    11

    i use nail glue instead of clear nail polish for the patch... and once that is dry, i buff it smooth and as flush as possible to the nail, then apply clear nail polish or go on with applying a base coat then color. Smiling

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • leeluvfashion's picture
    leeluvfashion
    12

    I needed this post; I'm known to accidently catch my nail on my shaver (how! I don't know...) and a few times I had to wait until my nail grea to trim it since it was almost at the nail bed. Ouch.

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • Leony's picture
    Leony
    14

    Thanks for the post! I had broken finger nails a quite few times and it sucks Sad

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • Cinnamon Girl's picture
    Cinnamon Girl
    15

    What a good idea ! thanks for sharing Bella .

    i really needed this advice a month ago ...the same thing happened to me .

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • heineken67's picture
    heineken67
    16

    I do the same thing, leeluvfashion! It's such a pain. Tissue paper and nail glue are usually a temporary fix for me, but maybe if I use a tea bag it will last longer next time.

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • plasticine's picture
    plasticine
    17

    my nail just broke today, on the nailbed. i'm gonna try this when i get home!!

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • Fokked's picture
    Fokked
    19

    I've definitely tried this before... and it never really works. It tends to lift or peel.. or just rip again. Perhaps it worked better on feet than hands since you don't use your nails so much?

    22 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • rebelde816's picture
    rebelde816
    20

    This happens to me all the time. Thanks bella!!
    I never thought of this before!

    15 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment

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