Expert: Liza Smith - 6/1/2008

Question
Hi there!  I had my toe nails operated on years ago as a teenager and now I have one with a nail but an ugly thick distorted nail and the other with no nail at all but a very rough thick tough bed in it's place.  I just tried for the first time having tips put on them and the one where the ugly nail remained, is doing fine but of course the one where there is no nail is already getting loose.  What can I do for successful results on that toe as well as the other toe?  I am sick off having to wear closed toe shoes year round and being ashamed to even go to the pool or the beach.  Thanks so much for your help!  Oh, I live in the Knoxville, TN area in case you know of anyone you can refer me to that specializes in this kind of stuff.

Answer
Hi Tammy
Im afraid that the toe that doesnt have any nail ie keratin, will not hold onto any product for very long as your nail bed produces oil and moisture all the time and cannot be dehydrated for long enough to allow product to bond.

I have carried out a few treatments on toes like yours with varyingsucess.
The best results I've acheived is with gel as it is a lighter product than acrylic.
I wouldnt use a tip, I prep and clean the skin and apply a thin layer of clear gel straight onto the skin.
Im afraid I am base in the UK, so I dont know anyone in your area.
Log onto www.CND.com to try to locate someone or www.thesalongeek.com to post a request for someone near to you that specialises in gel toes.

Good luck!

Liza