Fingernail Repair with Author Jane Godman


Just as the eyes are the window to the soul, the fingernails hold the key to our health. That’s something my grandmother used to say, and she came from a family of traditional herbalists and healers.

I won’t bore you with the details of my own health here. I have a brain tumor, and some associated issues. If you’re interested in learning more, I wrote a blog post here  http://janegodmanauthor.com/new-year-same-challenges-livewell/ about my determination to raise awareness of living (and writing) with a life-altering condition. But that’s not what this post is about.

No, this post is about fingernails! I must admit, I used to take mine for granted. A chronic nail-biter as a child, I accepted the long, strong nails of my teens and twenties as a right.
Now, my nails are horrible. They are both soft and brittle at the same time. Left to their own devices, they crack and peel. The cuticles split, leaving the skin around my nails raw and painful. As a window on my health, they don’t give a pretty view.  

So what can be done to limit the damage if, like me, you have fingernails that are easily damaged?

These are just a few things that work for me:
1.   Limit how long you expose your nails to water. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, prolonged contact with water is the most common cause of split fingernails. This one breaks my heart because I love to soak in a hot, scented bath!

2.   Wear gloves while cleaning or exposing your hands to harsh chemicals.

3.    Reduce how much you use nail polish remover. The harsh chemicals in nail polish removers can thin and weaken the nails, which makes breakage more likely to occur. When you do use nail polish remover, choose an acetone-free version.

4.   Keep your nails well moisturized by applying a hand cream. I use a hemp hand scrub and hand cream. Am I allowed to mention the brand? I will any way. They are both from the Body Shop and they are the best products I’ve found for dry skin.

5.   File down your nails. Round the tips of the fingernails with the use of an emory board to keep the nails from breaking. I keep my nails short now, but they are a lot stronger because of it.

6.   Take a vitamin supplement.


If you have any other tips that have worked for you, I’d love to hear them!

JANE GODMAN writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne and SMP Romance and thrillers for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. She also self publishes her historical and gothic stories. She has been a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Nominee and The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award Winner.
Jane worked in a variety of shops, bars, and offices before settling into a career as a teacher. She was born in Scotland and has lived in Germany, Wales, Malta, South Africa, and England. Jane still gets the urge to travel, although these days she tends to head for a Spanish beach, or a European city that is steeped in history.
When she isn’t reading or writing romance, Jane enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. She is married to a lovely man, has two grown up children and has recently discovered the joy of becoming a grandparent (to two gorgeous boys).

 Connect with Jane Godman on the web:

Website         Facebook          Twitter

Colton and the Single Mom (The Coltons of Red Ridge)

This Colton cop falls for a ready-made family
A Coltons of Red Ridge story


A serial killer is on the loose, and true-crime filmmaker Esmée da Costa is on the case. K-9 cop Brayden Colton, the prime suspect’s half brother, works hard to stop her prying, but sparks fly as he falls for Esmée and her son. When Esmée and Brayden’s little family comes under siege, can they save all they love?


Buy on:


Amazon UK              Amazon Aust

Harlequin                 B&N 

Kobo        Book Depository        iBooks


28 comments:

  1. My nails are really thin and brittle too. I've been a nail biter my whole life so thanks fr the tips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do wonder if there's a link. But mine are better than they used to be :)

      Delete
  2. Sorry to learn of your brain tumour. Thanks for the nail tips and the book sounds good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm luckier than most, my tumour is low-grade and slow growing. Hope the nail tips help!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Hope they help. They've worked for me and my nails are truly horrible :)

      Delete
  4. So sorry about your nails...I am off to get mine done! But sometimes it’s just winter weather that does bad stuffto them...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patty. Winter is the worst for our bodies, isn't it? Enjoy having your nails done x

      Delete
  5. very informative post dear
    new review on my blog <<< beachy scent >>>
    have a nice day

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great nail tips. Mine were always unhealthy into my 30s but now they are incredibly healthy. I rarely paint my nails and haven't for about 2 years now. I do think not applying those chemicals makes a huge difference!
    This book sound exciting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of the worst things I did was have acrylic nails for my daughter's wedding. I wanted to cover up my own nails, but the acrylics weakened mine even more :( I think you're right about the chemicals!

      Delete
  7. Yes, I always have problems with my nails. Ingrown toenails too. Thank you for this post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, ouch about the ingrown toenails! Hope you get them sorted out :(

      Delete
  8. So sorry about your nails. I have a client, age 94, and I do her nails every week. This is good advice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a lucky 94-year-old to have you to pamper her, Jenn! :)

      Delete
  9. Your story is interesting. My hubby has cancer and we live each day. I had to quit work for mental health issues, and complicated grief, after my parents died and I was caregiver. Your story gives courage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry to hear your story. We all have our burdens, don't we? I'm glad that sharing can help, even if it's only a little. Sending a hug your way x

      Delete
  10. I am so sorry to hear about your brain tumor. Sending you lots of good wishes and prayers.

    Thanks for the information about nails. It is very helpful. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love keeping my nails clean and in pretty colors according to the season.

    www.fashionradi.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes. There's nothing nicer than summer nails :)

      Delete
  12. nice post :)
    partofnicol.blogspot.sk

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good tips about taking care of your nails. I didn't really know that nails are an indicator of health. Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Apparently changes in the nails are a key indicator as well. If your nails are generally healthy and they start to change, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem. Fascinating stuff!

      Delete
  14. Nail health is important and the nails are a window into our health. Sometimes I notice my nails seem weaker- but it is typically in the winter when I am washing my hands a lot and definitely not using enough moisturizer. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The seasons do have an impact, and I find that cleaning chemicals can be really damaging as well. Such an important point about moisturizer!

    ReplyDelete