Susan's Place Transgender Resources

This is a NEW change I am starting to notice after 3 months now on hormones. My nails before were straight and flat, now it's becoming more rounded and curvy.

Any experience with hormone and nails on your side?

only that they're thinner and seem to break easier. I'm so totally going to go acrylic next time I seem my hairdresser lol

Yes I also noticed that mine were much more brittle. While it gave me a good excuse to wear clear polish ;) it was a PITA because I am a guitar player. I started taking Biotin and after about a month it made an amazing difference.

Kristi

Mine delaminate all the time so I have to wear tons of clear nail polish.  I'm gonna try Biotin. Thanks, Kristi!

Maggie

Presume that delaminate refers to that slate-like faking? .... Yeah, that's really common with estrogen  :(

Acrylic nails is a bit of a one-way trip 'cos it really screws your own nails up so makes natural nails even harder to revert to.

Quote from: Steffi on September 16, 2009, 06:08:58 PM
Presume that delaminate refers to that slate-like faking? .... Yeah, that's really common with estrogen  :(

Acrylic nails is a bit of a one-way trip 'cos it really screws your own nails up so makes natural nails even harder to revert to.

Yes, that is what I have. The top layer just separates and flakes off. VERY irritating. I don't go for the acrylic nails because of the cost and I do understand they really mess up the natural nail.


So I keep a six way nail file handy at all times and lots of polish.  It bugs me so much that I sometimes have to fix a nail even at a red light in traffic. Not polish but sand a flaked area smooth.

Maggie

Quote from: Steffi on September 16, 2009, 06:08:58 PM
Presume that delaminate refers to that slate-like faking? .... Yeah, that's really common with estrogen  :(

Acrylic nails is a bit of a one-way trip 'cos it really screws your own nails up so makes natural nails even harder to revert to.

yeah that's exactly what I'm experiencing and I too keep a nail file handy at all times! funny, it seems to affect certain fingers more than others. I've been taking vitamins specifically for strengthening hair and nails but they take a while to really work properly.

I had heard that before about acrylic nails, but it's just so frustrating when you finally get one to grow out a little bit only to chip it right back down to the quick and have to start over. :-\

Quote from: FairyGirl......it's just so frustrating when you finally get one to grow out a little bit only to chip it right back down to the quick and have to start over.

Yeah, tell me about it  >:( :'(

I've tried all sorts. These days I'm using a clear nail strengthener/hardener called "Nail Care" from the Collection 2000 range.  It's quite viscous and a good coat of that, allowed to dry before applying nail varnish seems to help a lot.
- for a little extra strength you can also apply a layer of that to the underside of your nails.
If I do get a deep chip of delamination, I put a blob of that into the crater and let it thoroughly harden...... then sand it down with a fine emery board, finishing with one of those sponge sander/buffer things before varnishing with colour.
- in extreme cases or where I've partly torn a nail, I have in the past used Araldite!  ;D (epoxy resin.)  Done with care, a thin layer will flow out over the nail and harden. Any flutes or ridges can be sanded down and filled in as above, then a colour applied on top.  The resulting repair is undetectable if done carefully, is pretty strong/durable and should last until your own nail grows long enough again.   

It took my mom 8 years for her nails to recover from years of acrylics.

I'll pass.

Try using the Hard As Wraps by Sally Hansen.
I also use their nail growth solution before putting that on.

Has it helped, well, my nails are certainly stronger, and I can grow them longer, but I used to bite and keep them really short, so some of the changes could be because I am just not abusing them as much as well as a few other things, but I do think the wraps work well.

By the way, someone is making a clear wrap with carbon fiber in it.  Not sure how good it works though. I'm happy with what I am using for now.



Oh also delaminating at the tip, if you are using a metal file, get rid of it. They have been shown to promote that. Switch to emery boards.

Quote from: Maggie Kay on September 16, 2009, 04:31:41 PM
Mine delaminate all the time so I have to wear tons of clear nail polish.  I'm gonna try Biotin. Thanks, Kristi!

Maggie

Yeah, I hate flaky nails.  If you do try the Biotin, make sure you get the 5 mg kind.  Most of them are weaker.  You can find it with the vitamins in the grocery store.

Kristi

Try to eat a lot more calcium.

My blood tests show my calcium is at the top and everyone tells me that's why my nails shine and are so healthy.

People asked me if i have nail polish on when I don't.

Quote from: Kristi on September 16, 2009, 09:58:39 PM
Yeah, I hate flaky nails.  If you do try the Biotin, make sure you get the 5 mg kind.  Most of them are weaker.  You can find it with the vitamins in the grocery store.

Kristi

I came here to post this

I've taken 5mg/day (plus an extra .3 mg from my multivitamin) for years, I've never broken a nail while taking biotin and respecting my nails. One time I used that dead sea crap they pander at malls, and my nails broke clean off on every finger. Otherwise, 4 years, no broken nails. And I wear my nails up to and sometimes over a centimeter long, and I do have to move boxes and stuff sometimes. I dropped a stack of lawnmower blades on ny thumb nail, no problem - carried 40 pound boxes that I lost my grip on and caught with my nail, no problem. Painful for a few hours, but no worse for wear really.

For a while, I was taking a double dose (10.6mg/day), but after several months, my nails got too strong - when instead of bending back painfully, the nail actually bled because the bed gave instead of the nail, I dialed back to my usual dose.

If your nails are traumatized, or if you get fungus, it can change the shape. Some careful shaping can remove lumps and bumps - I had a hump on one middle finger for as far back as I can remember, I filed it away and the nail has been smooth since. Doesn't seem to have affected the nail quality, either. Buffing the striations out of your nails can help, too - and makes them look and feel nicer.

Natural nails are the way to go. Biotin helps your skin and hair too.


Oh, yeah, and the nails have gotten me lots of positive and negative attention over the years. I used to get a LOT of "I'm so jealous!" "How do you...!?" "I hate it when a boy has better nails than me..." from women, but the more I pass, the less they comment.

Careful with bumps and ridges, they usually are indications of a health issue. Mine were a bit wavy because I was anemic (iron deficiency) due to a digestive issue I was unaware of.

Any odd streaks, waves or discoloration all has meaning about your health. Smoothing them is fine, but you should look into why you have them.  You should need very little smoothing to make a nicely shaped nail.

Quote from: Leslie Ann on September 17, 2009, 03:11:14 AM
Careful with bumps and ridges, they usually are indications of a health issue. Mine were a bit wavy because I was anemic (iron deficiency) due to a digestive issue I was unaware of.

Any odd streaks, waves or discoloration all has meaning about your health. Smoothing them is fine, but you should look into why you have them.  You should need very little smoothing to make a nicely shaped nail.

*shrug*

I've had natural long nails for around 4 years now, since I stopped biting them. The one had the lump for I'm not sure how long - I expected it to reemerge after the nail grew out, but it hasn't months later. Natural nails are not all entirely perfect, trauma to the nail bed and the different way the nails themselves grow out of your fingers can make them take on different shapes too. When your nail itself is crooked from the finger, it's hard to shape it properly.

It's metric. Mg is milligrams.


300 MCG = 0.3 MG

This is why we say that 5MG pills work and 300 mcg pills do not.

Google answers and converts measurement questions for us Americans who don't know those weird outlander measurements, too.

I have been blocking T for about 3 months or so and on E for about 2 months.  My nails are very strong and looking fabulous. :)  My shrink's receptionist even commented on them that she was jealous and can't grow hers out like mine.  I do keep clear nail polish on them.  Usually about 2 coats which may be helping.

Quote from: Dana LaneI have been blocking T for about 3 months or so and on E for about 2 months.  My nails are very strong and looking fabulous.

YMMV ...... but that's too short a time for the bad things to really start happening.  This flaky-nail thing is REALLY common among us   :-\

Quote from: Steffi on September 22, 2009, 02:14:19 PM
  YMMV ...... but that's too short a time for the bad things to really start happening.  This flaky-nail thing is REALLY common among us   :-\

Dammit!  :(

Quote from: Dee_pntx on September 22, 2009, 03:43:40 PM
@ Dana Lane - Yep.  All in good time.  Probably best to take action NOW to KEEP them strong.
Otherwise, in a year you'll have them trimmed back to the quick.

I bought a large bottle of Biotin the other day and have started on them. Can't wait until my nails are long and strong again.  I miss my ten little box cutters.

I have been taking "Ultra Woman" Daily Multi (love the name) and I believe it has biotin. Well, we will see what happens. For now I will just enjoy the nails I have and smile at the reactions I get (guy having long manicured nails). :)

Look at the dose numbers we're talking about in this thread. Unless it's got like 3mg and you take two a day or something, it's not going to help much if you have weak nails.

Quote from: Shelina on September 16, 2009, 03:48:13 PM
This is a NEW change I am starting to notice after 3 months now on hormones. My nails before were straight and flat, now it's becoming more rounded and curvy.

Any experience with hormone and nails on your side?

Before I was on HRT I could grow my nails quite long. Since I've been on HRT they break far more and are hard to grow now.

Pre-hrt I had beautiful nails..shape was perfect, no flaking and could grow them as long as I wanted.

Post-hrt my nails are terrible..some of them tend to curl when they get too long because they are so thin now, they flake, they break constantly.

I've tried every hardener, enhancer and snake oil I could find to improve them but no such luck until trying OPI Original Nail Envy.  I'm not saying it's perfect but it has been the only thing that works and works well that I've found.  I'll definitely be trying the biotin as suggested by some of you.  I went the acrylic route but, while they looked fantastic, the upkeep was a pain and my nails were twice as bad when I had the acrylics removed.  Perhaps a combo of biotin and the OPI Nail Envy might be the answer.

When I brought up the subject of my post-hrt nail problems with my endo she smiled and said "welcome to womanhood" lol. 

I had actually been taking a supplement (Blackmores Nails, Skin and Hair Heath, available in Australia) for about 3 weeks when I first posted to this thread. I looked and sure enough it contains biotin as one of the ingredients, but only 1.3 mg along with some other stuff. At 2 pills a day that was still only 2.6 mg. Since this thread I have supplemented my supplement with an extra 3 mg a day pure biotin and already it seems to be making some difference.

Thanks Brandi for the tip. This also made me wonder if the hormones are affecting my hair the same way? Making it more brittle, prone to breakage, etc.  It doesn't seem to be so far, but I'm thinking biotin is going to be good for that too. A lot of mothers I've talk to about it all say that prenatal vitamins are excellent for skin, hair, and nails, but I wouldn't want to O.D. on too many vitamins lol

Biotin is for hair, skin, and nails all. I've been out for 4 days, finally got a bottle, time to double dose for a bit  :laugh:

Though, I noticed that wal-mart finally stocks a 5mg pill. 120 of them for $7. HEB is 60 for $12. So... I may just switch to buying it from wal-mart. $21 for a year supply of anything is good times. Of course, you assume the manufacturer is the same quality... if you are really short on cash, do it.

Hair, buy a deep conditioning protein treatment and use it twice a month or so, do occasional olive oil treatments (can buy them in the black girl hair care isle), use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week, and always use a moisturizing conditioner. Trim damaged ends. Acknowledge that pulling it back or updoes will wreck your hair, and either stop, use soft scrunchies, or live with it.

I never tie my hair back, Not ever. Haven't for years. I nurture it pretty well, and it's been good to me in return. ;) I just got the ends trimmed about 2 weeks ago and always keep it clean and well conditioned with quality products. But it had just occurred to me that if E can wreak such havoc on nails, would it also cause hair to become weaker too. It hasn't seemed to so far, at least it doesn't seem to be breaking or falling out. In fact it seems to be getting thicker if anything.

Well, I'm doomed then. 
My nails are scary short, they have damn near NO white.  They end maybe an eighth of an inch before the end of my fingers.
My nails are paper, even at this short length.  They tear if I try to open a can of pop with my fingertips. :( 
I'm not even looking at hormones yet.
I just (2 days ago) started using a clear polish (by OPI), that's supposed to strengthen the nails. 

well I can also confirm the biotin does work. Mine are finally growing past the ends without splitting or flaking or breaking off so that's a good sign :)

Well, my nails finally got feminized. grrrr.  Ended up having to cut them all down except for the pinkies. I am on a megadose of biotin now and use nail hardener and cuticle oil. If these break again after they get grown out I'm getting acrylics.

Quote from: Dana Lane on November 16, 2009, 11:53:31 AM
Well, my nails finally got feminized. grrrr.  Ended up having to cut them all down except for the pinkies. I am on a megadose of biotin now and use nail hardener and cuticle oil. If these break again after they get grown out I'm getting acrylics.

I finally had enough fretting over them and broke down and got acrylics. Now my nails look fabulous and my stepdaughter is totally jealous lol. Best decision I could have made. :laugh:

OK so that's what's going on I tried prenatal vitamins but can't stomach them... I'll try the Biotin

yes I'm still taking biotin too but in the meantime went with acrylics for my own sanity lol

I must be the only one who doesn't care about her nails.  Then again I'm a nail-biter and will never understand why everyone says its a bad habit.  I keep a few millimeters of white on the ends but not really any longer.   As for how strong they are, I've been on HRT for 7 months now and they're strong as ever.

Quote from: Maddie Secutura on November 16, 2009, 05:57:51 PM
I must be the only one who doesn't care about her nails.  Then again I'm a nail-biter and will never understand why everyone says its a bad habit.  I keep a few millimeters of white on the ends but not really any longer.   As for how strong they are, I've been on HRT for 7 months now and they're strong as ever.

Are you aware of what kind of germs are underneath your fingernails? yuck!!!!!

Before HRT, I had very strong nails.  After about a year into HRT, I they were brittle and breaking when much longer then the fingertip.   I really wasn't too concerned at that time, there were much bigger issues then growing a sexy set of nails.....  However, I was concerned about my hair, and started taking Biotin (5000 mcg, a dose usually recommended for vegetarians), and noticed a side effect of stronger nails, I think!    ::)   With all of the changes going on with HRT, it's really hard to tell what's doing what, and what changes over time.   That was 1.5 years or so, ago.   

At this point, I'm still on Biotin, growing nails well, and have no idea if Biotin's the thing that's making my hair a bit better, or just experience with caring for it.   In regards to nails, they are still growing strong, and I've recently adopted the use of Sally Hansen's witchcraft, the 4-in-one, 'which' is utterly amazing for getting even longer, talon-like growth!   Meow!  I started using that about two months ago.....

Good luck!

Melan

Quote from: Melan on November 16, 2009, 09:06:52 PM
I really wasn't too concerned at that time, there were much bigger issues then growing a sexy set of nails

Preach on. I was getting antsy about it too but had that exact thought lol. The biotin is good advice though, after taking huge doses for a while it seems to be helping a little.

Quote from: Lina on September 16, 2009, 03:48:13 PM
This is a NEW change I am starting to notice after 3 months now on hormones. My nails before were straight and flat, now it's becoming more rounded and curvy.

Any experience with hormone and nails on your side?

on FTM HRT, yes, I've noticed that my nails have gotten thicker and stronger.  Not flattened out -- the only nail that's ever been "flat" is the middle figer on my left hand, which got smashed in a car door when i was sixteen.  (On the plus-side to that accident, my step-mother and I both got to get out of my father's "gift" of us having a "Mother's Day Special" at GlamourShots -- which even she wasn't into.)