Difference between revisions of "Fix a Broken Nail"
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#*Use warm water and soap to wash your hands or feet. Dry well with a clean towel. | #*Use warm water and soap to wash your hands or feet. Dry well with a clean towel. | ||
#*Wash and dry carefully to avoid accidentally snagging the torn nail and making matters worse. | #*Wash and dry carefully to avoid accidentally snagging the torn nail and making matters worse. | ||
| − | #Cut a strip of nail mending material.<ref>http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/how-to-mend-a-broken-fingernail/</ref> If you have a special nail mending kit, use the fibrous paper in the kit and cut a section large enough to cover the nail and wrap under the tip. | + | #Cut a strip of nail mending material.<ref name="rf16746">http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/how-to-mend-a-broken-fingernail/</ref> If you have a special nail mending kit, use the fibrous paper in the kit and cut a section large enough to cover the nail and wrap under the tip. |
#*If you do not have a nail mending kit, you can cut a piece of material out of a tea bag. This is the most common substitution, and it works quite well. | #*If you do not have a nail mending kit, you can cut a piece of material out of a tea bag. This is the most common substitution, and it works quite well. | ||
#*If you do not have nail mending paper or tea bags in your house, you could also try handkerchief linen or coffee filters. | #*If you do not have nail mending paper or tea bags in your house, you could also try handkerchief linen or coffee filters. | ||
| − | #*At minimum, the material must be large enough to cover the entire break. The material should ideally be large enough to cover the entire nail with enough excess.<ref>http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-fix-a-broken-nail/</ref> | + | #*At minimum, the material must be large enough to cover the entire break. The material should ideally be large enough to cover the entire nail with enough excess.<ref name="rf16747">http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-fix-a-broken-nail/</ref> |
#Attach the mending material. Apply a small dot of super glue or nail glue to your nail and use the applicator tip to swirl the glue around gently until it covers the entire nail. Use tweezers to place the cut material onto the nail over the glue. | #Attach the mending material. Apply a small dot of super glue or nail glue to your nail and use the applicator tip to swirl the glue around gently until it covers the entire nail. Use tweezers to place the cut material onto the nail over the glue. | ||
#*If using a nail mending kit, use the nail mender liquid in the kit instead of glue and apply it using the brush applicator inside the kit. | #*If using a nail mending kit, use the nail mender liquid in the kit instead of glue and apply it using the brush applicator inside the kit. | ||
#*Use tweezers to smooth out any bumps or wrinkles in the material. The material should be as smooth as possible. | #*Use tweezers to smooth out any bumps or wrinkles in the material. The material should be as smooth as possible. | ||
#*If necessary, use small nail scissors or regular scissors to trim away excess material. | #*If necessary, use small nail scissors or regular scissors to trim away excess material. | ||
| − | #Wrap the material over the top of the nail. Pinch your tweezers over the material at the top of the nail, folding it down and under so that it sticks to the underside of your nail.<ref | + | #Wrap the material over the top of the nail. Pinch your tweezers over the material at the top of the nail, folding it down and under so that it sticks to the underside of your nail.<ref name="rf16747" /> |
#*If the material has not gotten any adhesive on it yet, you may need to apply a small dot of glue or mending liquid to make it stick to the underside of the nail. | #*If the material has not gotten any adhesive on it yet, you may need to apply a small dot of glue or mending liquid to make it stick to the underside of the nail. | ||
#*This measure provides extra balance and protection to the broken nail. | #*This measure provides extra balance and protection to the broken nail. | ||
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#Apply a top coat over the entire nail. Apply a layer of top coat or nail strengthener to the damaged nail in order to balance it out and provide an added, final layer of protection. | #Apply a top coat over the entire nail. Apply a layer of top coat or nail strengthener to the damaged nail in order to balance it out and provide an added, final layer of protection. | ||
#*It is advisable to let the adhesive dry overnight before doing this step to avoid creating bubbles or uneven patches. | #*It is advisable to let the adhesive dry overnight before doing this step to avoid creating bubbles or uneven patches. | ||
| − | #*If desired, you can apply nail polish over the nail once the top coat dries.<ref | + | #*If desired, you can apply nail polish over the nail once the top coat dries.<ref name="rf16747" /> |
=== Using a Temporary Repair=== | === Using a Temporary Repair=== | ||
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#*To make it easier to cut the tape without having to peel the tape off the scissor blades, use small nail scissors or sewing scissors. If you’re using larger scissors, trim the tape using the tip of the blades. | #*To make it easier to cut the tape without having to peel the tape off the scissor blades, use small nail scissors or sewing scissors. If you’re using larger scissors, trim the tape using the tip of the blades. | ||
#*Choose a single-sided tape with a mild adhesive. Consider “magic” tape, gift wrap tape, multitask tape, or other transparent office tapes. Avoid strong tapes like electrical tape. | #*Choose a single-sided tape with a mild adhesive. Consider “magic” tape, gift wrap tape, multitask tape, or other transparent office tapes. Avoid strong tapes like electrical tape. | ||
| − | #Cover the entire tear with the tape.<ref>http://www.lindarose.com/art-brokennails.asp</ref> Stick the center of the tape over the center of the break. Press down firmly to adhere. Then, using the tip of an unbroken nail, glide the lengths of the tape on either side so that they cover the tear from end to end. | + | #Cover the entire tear with the tape.<ref name="rf16748">http://www.lindarose.com/art-brokennails.asp</ref> Stick the center of the tape over the center of the break. Press down firmly to adhere. Then, using the tip of an unbroken nail, glide the lengths of the tape on either side so that they cover the tear from end to end. |
#*Make sure that both broken sides are lined up evenly before applying the tape. | #*Make sure that both broken sides are lined up evenly before applying the tape. | ||
#*Use firm, even pressure to secure the tape in place. | #*Use firm, even pressure to secure the tape in place. | ||
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#Trim off any excess tape. If the piece of tape you applied to your nail is slightly too large, use nail or sewing scissors to snip away any excess. | #Trim off any excess tape. If the piece of tape you applied to your nail is slightly too large, use nail or sewing scissors to snip away any excess. | ||
#*Make sure that the ends of the tape are flat against the nail. | #*Make sure that the ends of the tape are flat against the nail. | ||
| − | #*You could also use the tips of standard size scissors to cut the tape if you do not have small scissors.<ref>blackcatnails.com/how-to-fix-broken-torn-nail-quick-easy-method/</ref> | + | #*You could also use the tips of standard size scissors to cut the tape if you do not have small scissors.<ref name="rf16749">blackcatnails.com/how-to-fix-broken-torn-nail-quick-easy-method/</ref> |
#Fix the nail as soon as possible. Even though this fix will suffice for emergency nail care, it is by no means a permanent solution. You will need to adhere the nail back into place using a stronger adhesive and a more thorough application. | #Fix the nail as soon as possible. Even though this fix will suffice for emergency nail care, it is by no means a permanent solution. You will need to adhere the nail back into place using a stronger adhesive and a more thorough application. | ||
#*Take special precaution, in the meantime, to avoid snagging the tape or the nail beneath. | #*Take special precaution, in the meantime, to avoid snagging the tape or the nail beneath. | ||
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#Soak the detached nail in warm water. If the tip of your nail broke off completely and you want to reattach it, soak the broken tip in warm water until it feels pliable again. | #Soak the detached nail in warm water. If the tip of your nail broke off completely and you want to reattach it, soak the broken tip in warm water until it feels pliable again. | ||
#*If your nail is still attached or still pliable, disregard this step. | #*If your nail is still attached or still pliable, disregard this step. | ||
| − | #Apply nail glue to the torn nail.<ref>http://www.azteenmagazine.com/nail-care.php?article=317</ref> Gently press the tube of nail glue until a small bead of glue comes out. Grab this bead with a toothpick and spread it over one side of the broken nail, creating a thin coat of adhesive. | + | #Apply nail glue to the torn nail.<ref name="rf16750">http://www.azteenmagazine.com/nail-care.php?article=317</ref> Gently press the tube of nail glue until a small bead of glue comes out. Grab this bead with a toothpick and spread it over one side of the broken nail, creating a thin coat of adhesive. |
#*If you do not have nail glue, use super glue. In general, a glue containing cyanoacrylate will form the strongest bond. | #*If you do not have nail glue, use super glue. In general, a glue containing cyanoacrylate will form the strongest bond. | ||
#*Do not touch the glue with your fingers for any reason. | #*Do not touch the glue with your fingers for any reason. | ||
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#*Repeat this procedure two or three times daily for the first three days. | #*Repeat this procedure two or three times daily for the first three days. | ||
#*Pat dry using a clean, soft cotton cloth. | #*Pat dry using a clean, soft cotton cloth. | ||
| − | #Apply an antibiotic ointment. To further speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of infection, use your fingers or a clean cotton swab to gently rub a layer of antibiotic ointment over the entire area.<ref>http://www.healthcare-online.org/How-To-Treat-A-Torn-Toenail.html</ref> | + | #Apply an antibiotic ointment. To further speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of infection, use your fingers or a clean cotton swab to gently rub a layer of antibiotic ointment over the entire area.<ref name="rf16751">http://www.healthcare-online.org/How-To-Treat-A-Torn-Toenail.html</ref> |
#*Make sure that your hands are clean as you handle the injury. | #*Make sure that your hands are clean as you handle the injury. | ||
#Cover the nail bed until a new nail grows in. Wrap an adhesive bandage over the damaged nail to prevent further snagging and reduce the risk of infection. | #Cover the nail bed until a new nail grows in. Wrap an adhesive bandage over the damaged nail to prevent further snagging and reduce the risk of infection. | ||
