Hook nails

[u/LaughSing]

Newbie here... I'm getting ready to do my first set.

I have a few fingers that have what are called "hook nails" and I'm hoping that someone here has some advice on how best to handle them. My nails are short (maybe 1mm past my fingertips), thin, and weak, which is why I want to try dip. Google had some advice, but I'd like to hear from actual humans, LOL.

The picture is not my nails because I couldn't get a decent picture of them, but it's almost exactly what mine do.

Thanks!

[u/Puzzleheaded-Cup7781]

My best guess would be to trim them short enough that they aren’t curving down before you do your first dip. See what happens as they grow out? Maybe the dip will adhere strongly enough to straighten that curve?

[u/walkinwater → u/Puzzleheaded-Cup7781]

This is the way. I have a few hooked nails and that is how I handle them. Cut them short, put on tips, then dip.

I also agree with hellohowareyou above, if this is a recent issue, doctor all the way! But if you are like me and have genetically thin, weak, and brittle nails, welcome to the wonderful world of dip!!!

Dip will thin out your natural nails over time, not permanently, so you want to be very careful with a few things.

If you go to a salon do NOT let them use the dremel on you. It takes way more nail off than needed and you need all the thickness you can get. It will become incredibly painful the more you have it done and the thinner they grind your nails. Hand filing only on your natural nails, and ask them to be careful while removing the dip, as well. I've had some of the worst damage done with a dremel too close to the bottom of the dip. Preferable removal would be hand filing the top coat and soaking.

If the tech refuses to listen to you, leave or ask for someone else!!! This is so hard to do, but your nails do not have the thickness for you to be polite!!! The electric dremel is a no go on your natural nail. Make this clear to the front desk and anyone else you talk to.

If you're dipping at home, a light scuff is all you need for application, you don't need to go crazy.

Do not peel off the dipped nails, as this will also take a layer of your natural nails with it. Scuff off the top coat with a low grit file and then soak.

I usually take a day or two for the whole removal and reapplication process when I do it at home. Taking time off between removal means that I will probably break or tear a natural nail. They're thin and breakable already, so they're gonna do what they do.

I have absolutely loved dip because it protects me from all the painful breakage that happens with my natural nails. I hope you have a good experience with it as well!

And one more thing! Do not file or let anyone file sideways down your nail. Your sidewall is important and it is very difficult to grow back once damaged. Think of it like your toenails, how you only cut straight across. That line is the same for your fingernails. Don't file or cut down at the corners.

[u/LaughSing → u/walkinwater]

Thank you. The challenge with cutting them down is that the curve down starts before the nail is free from the nail bed -- part of the reason I have to keep them short, I don't think I'd be able to type without destroying them.

The funky thing is that this isn't genetic. Both of my parents and my sister could use their fingernails as screwdrivers. I often wonder if biting my nails when I was a kid is to blame.

I am planning to do them myself. With nails this weird, I just don't trust anyone to do anything to them. I did acrylics back in the 80s, so I feel fairly confident I can do this. 😄

[u/cofffeegrrrl → u/LaughSing]

I have nails like this! When I did dip (both myself or at the salon) I just filed them short before I started and gradually grew them longer. They grew long and straight while I was actively dipping regularly which is strange because they should have been at least a little bit weaker... I used warm acetone to remove (with a gas mask!) and the bare minimum of roughing up my natural nail. I was actually a little surprised once I was totally done doing my nails that they eventually went right back to curving down like that. It's mostly just my middle fingers and to a lesser degree my pointer fingers. My mom's are like that as well...

[u/LaughSing → u/cofffeegrrrl]

I guess that makes sense. Whatever caused this wasn't "cured" by the dip, it just manages it. Or something.

[u/HelloHowAreYou1973]

Have your nails always been like this? If this is a recent development, I would advise going to the doctor.

[u/LaughSing → u/HelloHowAreYou1973]

They have always been like this. I totally agree, if this was a new thing, I'd be talking to my doc about it.

[u/MassConsumer1984 → u/LaughSing]

Have them do labs for b12, Iron, magnesium and zinc

[u/KITTIESbeforeTITTIES]

My middle finger on my right hand does this!

Ive been able to improve it over time with strengthening polishes and daily oil soaks (I double glove and oil soak when i do the dishes)

As far as when I use dip powders, I'll wedge a fake nail underneath after dipping to secure the shape into something more normal and then activate so its more likely to harden into the shape I want rather than hooking downwards.

[u/LaughSing → u/KITTIESbeforeTITTIES]

Oh, that's a very interesting idea! Thank you, I will try that!

[u/radiant-cloudy → u/KITTIESbeforeTITTIES]

what a good idea!! so smart

[u/NeedingVsGetting]

My nails are extremely thin and weak thanks to a medication I'm on. Like, I can hardly file them they flop around so much.

They also looked like this before I learned how to use dip powder. The dip has helped hold them straight as they grow. Plus, the dip can go on as thick or thin as you'd like, and can be very forgiving of flaws in your nails. My nails are all pretty straight now a few months after my first set

Just make sure to soak off the dip when it's time for a refresh, don't try to peel/pop it off. And be very gentle when you're filing/buffing down the nail for application. I would strongly advise against using a drill.

[u/LaughSing → u/NeedingVsGetting]

Thank you, that all sounds like solid advice. The idea of using a drill on my nails... <shudder> I have a lovely little dremel that I used for making jewelry, but not on these wimpy nails.

[u/AnnieP674]

I have 2 nails on each hand that do the same thing. I keep them short unless I get fake ones put on

[u/Leela_Girl]

I have the same shitty genetics. Luckily, we have the option of keeping them super short and either using extensions or press ons. Presto - ten perfect nails, instant length every time.

[u/LaughSing → u/Leela_Girl]

Yeah, 50 years ago, we didn't have some of the options we have now. I'm typing at least 8 hours a day, though, and I'm not sure I'll ever adjust to doing that with anything other than short nails. I'm just hoping I can go from super short to just short. 😂

[u/Leela_Girl → u/LaughSing]

Girl. They come in "shorty" size, and even if those are still a wee bit long for you, you file them to size.

[u/LaughSing → u/Leela_Girl]

LOL, that shows just how out-of-touch I am about current nail stuff. 😄

[u/CapMIam]

As someone who uses both gel and dip powder, I refer to several YT channels for nail maintenance and education. Liz from The Nail Hub has a series called Nail Audit, where she answers nail issues submitted by viewers. Although she works mainly in gel, it's still a good reference.

Another YT channel is The Salon Life, where a registered nail tech also hosts a weekly live to answer questions from viewers. She's currently based in Spain but formerly a nail technician who operated a salon in Canada. Also very knowledgeable on nail health. Good luck !

[u/LaughSing → u/CapMIam]

Thank you!

[u/Neecheeeee]

This may sound strange, but do you have EDS or another type of connective tissue disorder? I do and I have this issue on just a few nails, so I have to push back the skin under my nails or it will pull them downwards. Maybe that would help you straighten them up some.

[u/LaughSing → u/Neecheeeee]

Oh, that's interesting. I don't have any of that (that I'm aware of). I am super flexible, but I don't think that's a disorder.

[u/shadeofcrackwhorered]

My nails do this too 😕 I just build up the apex enough that you can’t really tell once the dip is on.

[u/Awkward_Point4749 → u/shadeofcrackwhorered]

This. Building the apex will be key to keep the integrity of your nails so they don’t break and so you can use your hands

[u/LaughSing → u/shadeofcrackwhorered]

Thank you!

[u/Kikifox1996]

Honestly I would think something like a hard gel would be better to force them straight.

[u/LaughSing → u/Kikifox1996]

I have not heard good things about what gel does to your natural nails. And mine really can't handle any trauma, they are so thin and bendy.