Click here to visit the Beauty Brains blog.
Welcome to the new Forum. Please feel free to start a new discussion.
Skin & Nails; Two Questions :)
-
So. Two problems.
One being :
I have what seems to be a permanent area of spots on my left cheek which I'm having trouble getting rid of. I use a pore cleaning / anti acne face wash but it doesn't seem to be doing anything and it's only on the one side. I'm not sure quite what to do about it
The second problem is my nails.
The background to my nails is basically I wore nail polish for about 6 months straight and a yellow polish left my nails stained which led to more polish abusing but now my nails are back to normal; I havent been wearing nail polish in about a month but I still have this recurring problem. My nails peel / crack / split. Mainly my index / middle finger on my right hand (I'm right handed). Basically no matter what length they always peel. My thumb nail peeled off a rather thick peel the other day making my have to cut all my nails again.
It's hardly a big problem, but a pesky annoying one.
If anyone have any suggestions I'd be greatful.
Nailwise I used / tried : Burts Bee's Cuticle Cream / Daily Moisturizing (Mary Kay) -
I've used Sally Hansen's cheap Hard as Nails in clear and natural and that seems to work pretty well. It kept my nails somewhat intact through my printmaking class, which was very impressive (working with tools, presses, metals, acids and solvents). My nails peel, I'd love to know what causes it.
-
Nubar Nu Nails is an excellent basecoat for preventing staining and keeping nails healthy.
-
I don't know why- but when I switched to using pure acetone as a polish remover, my nails stopped cracking and peeling! I was using a non-acetone, or mixed acetone remover before and my nails would peel like crazy. I've known others to say the same thing!
I have also been told that acne products can dry your nails and cause the symptoms you're having. Benzoyl Peroxide is a big culprit for that. Your nails are exposed to those drying chemicals via your facewash or medicated lotions.
In regards to your skin, I would see a dermatologist. -
I've had problems with the peeling nails for years and just like you, it predominately occurs on my index and middle fingers. It seems to follow summers when I get lots of manicures. I've tried every suggestion I've heard on the subject but the only way I can get my nails strong and healthy again is to use an electric nail file rather than my glass file (which is sacrilege to some people, I know!), avoid getting them wet, and by massaging NutraNail products into them daily, followed by cuticle oil at night. They just started peeling a few weeks ago and I've stopped it by following this regimen. Even the ones that have a few peeling areas remaining don't peel further. They seem "sealed". I think it might be the NutraNail products that do that. So....the good news for me is I CAN turn the corner on this. Once I get them healthy again, they're super strong and grow quickly so I'd recommend giving all this a try.
Good luck on finding the solution for you; I know how frustrating this problem can be! -
I use Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails as well and found that it works really well. I've been using it for years and have very long nice nails now but they used to be real weak and would also peel. Make sure you apply a base coat every time you wear nail polish or the polish, no matter what color, will give them a yellowish color. Also, after using nail polish remover you should use soap and water to rinse your hands off before you apply any nail polish.
-
Since you didn't describe what kind of spots you are having, it's hard to determine the root of your problem. But since your spots seem to appear on only one side of your face it's likely that at least one part of the problem lies in your habits.
Do you usually press a phone/cellphone to your left cheek? Cellphone surfaces are often filled with bacteria since we are carrying them everywhere, place them on everything, hold them in our hands and very seldom disinfect them. When you press your phone to your cheek the bacteria gets transmitted to your face. If you have a slightly oily skin to begin with it's easy for spots to develop locally. Don't press the phone to your cheek and wipe its surface with alcohol couple times a week.
Do you often rest your head on your left hand, or do you have a habit to touch your face in that area? Our hands carry a lot of bacteria as well. Wash your hands several times a day with soap, and stop touching your face.
Do you wear a bang or a hairdo that makes your hair touch your left cheek? Then it's likely that a hair product you use causes your problem. Waxes, as well as some oils and silicones are highly comedogenic, meaning they clog pores and contribute to acne. If you absolutely have to wear that particular hair style and use some kind of styling product, look for products with cyclopentasiloxane on top of the list, it's slightly less comedogenic. But I would recommend to change your hairstyle altogether, so your hair wouldn't touch your face.
Make sure that your anti acne face wash is gently formulated and does not have alcohol or menthol in it. These are very irritating agents that makes acne worse. I would also recomend you using a BHA toner (salicylic acid). Salicylic acid exfoliates mildly both the skin's surface and inside the pore lining, unclogging the pores. It's less irritating than AHA-acids and works deeper. My favorite is Paulas Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid, both for the price and results. But there are other similar products on the market as well.
If your spots are red and swollen, you may also want to apply some benzyl peroxide on them to reduce the inflammation. -
Just reading through this thread and although it's a bit old, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Have you considered the possibility that you are lacking some vitamins and minerals? A lot of things contribute to healthy nails (and skin and hair) from the inside out and perhaps you are lacking something that could be added via a supplement.
My thumb and forefinger nails would frequently split and peel - polish or no polish. Then I tried a supplement geared towards skin, hair and nail health and I noticed my nails most of all. They are stronger, grow faster and I no longer get the annoying chipping and peeling.
Just something to think about and look into.
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!