The next time your nail breaks, don't panic - there are several tricks you can use to repair the damage. This is a painful "accident", but your look shouldn't be affected! Never allow a social occasion to be ruined again by a broken nail.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Careful Repair
Step 1. Wash your hands or feet
Before repairing the nail it is important that your hands and feet are clean and free of oily substances or sebum.
- Use warm soapy water and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth at the end.
- Be gentle during the operation, so as to avoid the risk of the broken part getting stuck in some way, further aggravating the damage.
Step 2. Cut a small piece of nail patch material
If you have a special nail repair kit, take the fibrous material included in the package and cut a piece large enough to cover the broken one and close the flaps under the tip.
- If you don't have specific nail material available, you can cut a small piece of a tea bag. It is the most common replacement and performs a similar function.
- If you have no way of getting either of these materials, you can also use a linen handkerchief or American coffee filter.
- At a minimum, the fabric should be large enough to cover the entire broken fragment abundantly and have a few millimeters in excess.
Step 3. Attach the fibrous paper (or substitute material) to the nail
Apply a drop of superglue or nail glue using the tip of the applicator to spread it all over the area. Use tweezers to place the piece of fabric on the nail, on top of the glue layer.
- If you have the repair kit, use the liquid included in the package instead of the glue and apply it using the brush provided.
- Use tweezers to smooth out any unevenness or folds in the patch material, which should be as smooth and straight as possible.
- If necessary, use nail scissors or regular scissors to cut off the excess tissue.
Step 4. Wrap the fabric around the tip of the nail
Using tweezers, wrap the edges of the material and fold them around and under the nail so that it fits snugly underneath.
- If the material has no adhesive parts, you will need to add a drop of glue or some liquid included in the repair kit so that it sticks well.
- This feature provides greater stability and protection to the broken nail.
Step 5. Apply another layer of glue on top of the repair material
Place another drop on the outer surface and distribute it on all sides using the applicator tip. Make the surface as smooth as possible.
In place of nail glue or super glue you can use the liquid from the repair kit
Step 6. Cut and polish the nail
If you have a specific buffer, gently rub it on the area you are treating once the glue has dried. Use the softer side first and then the polishing side.
For best results, scrub in one direction rather than moving back and forth
Step 7. Apply a covering product all over the nail
Spread a layer of strengthening nail polish over the damaged area to stabilize it and provide it with additional protection.
- It is advisable to wait for the glue to dry overnight before carrying out this step, to avoid the risk of bubbles or irregular stains.
- If you wish, you can apply a polish once the hardener layer has dried.
Method 2 of 4: Temporary Repair
Step 1. Cut a piece of clear tape
Take the scissors and carefully cut a piece that is slightly larger than the broken fragment.
- To be able to cut the ribbon more easily and prevent it from sticking to the blades, use a nail or sewing scissors. If you're using a large pair of scissors, cut the tape with only the tips of the blades.
- Choose a tape that has only one adhesive side and is not too strong. You can take the one for gift wrapping, multipurpose or the transparent one for the office. Avoid strong ones like electrical tape.
Step 2. Cover the broken part of the nail entirely with tape
Place the tape centering it on the break and press it down a little to make it adhere. Then flatten the rest of the tape with your fingertip to cover the entire broken area.
- Make sure both broken sides of the nail are lined up before applying the tape.
- Apply firm, even pressure to properly secure the tape.
- Rub the tape in the direction of the cut, never in the opposite direction, otherwise you could further aggravate the damage.
Step 3. Cut off the scraps of tape
If the patch you applied is slightly wider than the nail, use a manicure or sewing scissors and remove the excess.
- Make sure the ends of the tape are snug against the nail.
- If you don't have nail scissors you can use standard size scissors tips.
Step 4. Apply nail fixer as soon as possible
While duct tape is a great emergency remedy for trying to fix the broken flap, it's not a permanent solution. You need to get the nail back into place, adhering to where it came off, using a stronger adhesive solution and a more precise technique.
In the meantime, take extra care to prevent the adhesive tape or nail underneath from moving
Step 5. Use extreme caution when removing the tape
To act accurately, you need to pull it in the direction of the cut, not the opposite.
Method 3 of 4: Apply Nail Glue
Step 1. Wash your hands or feet
Before fixing the detached fragment, you need to make sure that your hands or feet are clean and free of sebum or oily substances.
- Use warm soapy water for this and then dry yourself thoroughly with a clean cloth.
- It is important to be gentle when washing and drying, to avoid tearing the already torn nail even more and worsening the situation.
Step 2. Soak the detached part of the nail in hot water
If the shard is completely detached and you want to reattach it, keep it in the hot water until you feel it become flexible again.
If it is still attached or is already flexible, skip this step
Step 3. Apply nail glue
Gently press the tube until you see a drop of product come out. Use a toothpick to take this drop and distribute it on the side of the broken nail, forming a thin adhesive layer.
- If you don't have nail glue available, use super glue. It is a product that generally contains cyanoacrylate and has a strong adhesive power.
- Do not touch the glue with your fingers for any reason.
Step 4. Place the nail in its original position and compress it to secure it
With the tip of the toothpick stick the broken portion of the nail to the intact part; press it firmly and firmly using the side of the toothpick.
- As mentioned, be careful not to touch the glue directly with your fingers.
- Maintain the pressure for at least a minute to make sure the nail adheres properly.
Step 5. Remove excess glue
Before it dries completely, dip a cotton swab or cotton wool in nail polish remover and scrub along the side of the nail bed. This will remove any glue that may have adhered to the skin.
- You may need to scratch a little to get all the glue off.
- Apply nail polish remover to all areas of skin that have come into contact with the glue.
Step 6. Smooth the repaired area
Once the glue has dried completely, file your nail to make it look good. Use the rough side of a nail file (cardboard or metal) and rub it on the exposed, uneven edge of the nail.
- Move the file in one direction and not back and forth. To minimize the risk of further damage, you must follow the direction of the tear, not the opposite.
- Be gentle to avoid making the situation worse.
Step 7. Apply a protective product when the nail is dry
Once the edge is well smoothed you must protect the nail by applying a reinforcing or protective product that covers it entirely; at the end wait for it to dry.
Method 4 of 4: Repairing a Completely Detached Nail
Step 1. Remove the broken fragment
If a fingernail or a portion of the nail has completely detached from the nail bed, it should be removed in order to heal the injury. Use manicure scissors to gently remove the fragment that is partially attached and lift it with tweezers.
- By removing the nail you can access the injured area below it more easily, consequently you can reduce the risk of infections, precisely because you can take care of the wound.
- Alternatively, you can decide to leave the partially detached flap in place and clean the surrounding area. It is more difficult, but still doable. The broken fragment will fall off on its own when the new nail grows in its place.
Step 2. Stop the bleeding
If the injury is severe enough, the nail bed may bleed a little. Before continuing with the treatment you must stop the blood by applying pressure to the cut.
If possible, use medicated gauze or sterile cotton wool. Place it directly over the lesion and press firmly for a few minutes. Maintain constant pressure
Step 3. Cut off any remaining piece of nail
Use a nail clipper or sharp scissors to remove any jagged or sharp edges. This step is important regardless of whether you have removed the fragment or not, in order to avoid the risk that the nail can tear or get stuck somewhere.
See your doctor and ask him to cut the nail for you if it is too painful for you or if you feel discomfort doing it
Step 4. Dip your foot or hand in cold water
Immediately after cutting the broken flap, soak the injured nail bed in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes.
- The water should be cool enough to soothe and slightly numb the area.
- This procedure also helps regulate blood circulation in that area of the body.
Step 5. Dip your foot or hand in salt water
After the cold water treatment, switch to hot and salt water.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 liter of hot water.
- Leave your finger or nail tip to soak in the salt solution for 20 minutes. salt is great for preventing infections.
- Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day for the first 3 days.
- Pat dry with a soft, clean cotton cloth.
Step 6. Apply antibiotic ointment
To further speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of infection, you can gently spread a layer of antibiotic ointment all over the area with your fingers or a clean cotton swab.
Make sure your hands are clean when you touch the lesion
Step 7. Keep the nail bed covered until a new nail grows
Wrap an adhesive plaster over your broken nail to prevent further damage and to reduce the risk of infection.
- Keep the patch on the nail until the new one has grown enough to cover the entire nail bed.
- Change the patch every time you wash or dress your wound. Make sure the cut is dry when you replace the patch; if the latter also gets wet, change it.
Step 8. Monitor the wound
Watch for signs of infection every time you change your patch. This is especially important during the first 72 hours, but you need to continue inspecting the area until the new nail has grown and will cover the exposed nail bed.
- Signs of possible infection include fever, redness, increased heat on the wound, pain or tenderness, swelling or pus.
- If you are concerned that the area is starting to get infected, make an appointment with your doctor.
