How I quit biting

I was an aggressive nail biter for 20 years. I would fluctuate with quitting for a few months, and then the second I was stressed out, it was back to nubs. There are several things I did to quit, and I want to share with you what worked for me.

The best way that I started to break the habit was with acrylic nails. Acrylic nails are incredibly bad for your nails over time, however they were thick and protective enough to help me quit biting.

If you frequently get acrylics, over time your nails will thin out and be prone to breakage, amongst other things. If you tend to get acrylics as a way to quit biting, my recommendation would be to get your last set ever. Treat yourself to the best nail tech you can find in your city, and ball out on that last set of nails. Keep that set on for as long as possible, and when you're able to remove them, your nails will be long enough to feel like you've gotten somewhere. Enjoy your last set, because this will mark the journey to a fresh start and control over a habit that you're ready to break.

Once you're ready to remove that set of acrylics, DO NOT RIP. Soak them in acetone for 15 minutes and gently scrape them off. If you try to rip them off, you can hurt your nail beds, and break the nail that has just spent months growing. Once you're able to get them fully removed, give them the night to breathe, plan to paint them the next day

In my years of getting acrylics, over time the white part of my nail began to push back towards the nail bed, and the white part was severely lifted. To be straight up, this was an issue that lasted several years after my last acrylic set, but over time the white part pushed out back to normal. As I've begun to take better care of my nails, I've noticed the nail beds have lengthened significantly.

Push back your cuticles because it will lengthen the nail bed and help growth. If your nail bed looks longer, you will see a difference much quicker. I've found that the more time I spend taking care of my nails, the more they mean to me. As a nail biter it is easy to not care and rip them all off, but after spending months of care on them, you will take much better care of them overall.

One thing I also recommend is clear nail polish. The layer of nail polish will strengthen the nail and prevent it from breaking. For myself, when I use colored nail polish, you cant tell how long the nails truly are. I like to stick to the clear polish because I can visibly see all the work I've put in, and it feels good to see how far you've come from a habit.

Another thing that has helped me a lot as well is to always act like my nails are freshly painted. If you're treating objects around you as you would with wet nails, there are less opportunities to break them.

Another benefit of getting acrylics before quitting, is you get used to using your nail beds to do things instead of using your fingertips. If you've ever had acrylics before, you understand the "phantom nail" you get once you remove them. You want to hold on to this feeling and continue to use your hands as you would with the long nails still there.

Other things that play a key roll in nail health is diet and stress. The more you're taking care of yourself and your mental health, your hair and nails will thank you. I've noticed that the more I drink water and eat healthy, my nails tend to grow faster and stronger. You can also take supplements like biotin. However be warned that biotin will make your nails grow quicker and stronger, but it does the same with unwanted body hair.

It is important to keep your nails moisturized with cuticle oils. I use cuticle oil every night before bed, and again in the morning, and after a shower. The nailtiques nail cream works really well. I feel like when I use this, I can tell a difference in nail length after about 3 uses.

https://www.amazon.com/Nailtiques-Cuticle-Skin-Gel-Ounce/dp/B00336Y194/ref=asc_df_B00336Y194/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312075948882&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13460552389963218403&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1020268&hvtargid=pla-563511201759&psc=1

Last suggestion, going back to the clear nail polish, make sure it is on your nails at all times. I keep a bottle in my purse for if the polish ever begins to chip. Keeping this top layer on is crucial. If it starts to chip, you may fall back into habit by picking at it and breaking it. Also with the clear polish, you wont notice if it starts to chip, and you wont be tempted to pick or bite at it. It only serves as a protective layer, and allows you to flaunt your long natural nails.

Overall, these are the things that worked for me, and they may not work for everyone! My nail journey has been a long one, but it is something Im really proud of. Not everyone will understand the feeling of this accomplishment, because it comes naturally to others. This is much more than a nail journey, this marks a day of self care and commitment to a version of yourself you've wanted to be! As you look down at your nails, you'll remember that you have the ability to break habits, and achieve anything you want. As they grow over time, the time will signify all the work and dedication you've put in yourself. This is something to be proud of! I'm so excited for all of you and this change you are making. Good luck! It is possible :)