Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I’ve had acrylic nails for the past 10 years and finally decided to give my fingernails a “rest.” My nails are so sad; they are very soft and break easily. A friend told me that you have a solution for this problem – can you help? – Mary B., via e-mail

Mary, I’m sure your friend is referring to white iodine, which you can find at most pharmacies. If you can’t find it, ask a pharmacist if it can be ordered for you.

A daily application of white iodine on your fingernails for one week will help strengthen them. After the first week, use only once a week. This is not a case of more is better – do not continue to use white iodine on your fingernails every day, or they will become too brittle. It might take several weeks to see any improvement if your nails are paper-thin from using a primer on them (for acrylics) or from being roughed up so the nail products would adhere better.– Heloise