Extremely thin & weak nails, help

[justanailaddict]

I have a client with naturally extremely thin+weak nails, I understand gel polish and any nail product tends to not do so well on unhealthy nails, but I would really like to make it work for her! any suggestions?
I've tried doing overlays, doing an extra top coat, using primer..but all of her sets start chipping within a week
I'm extremely meticulous with my prep work, and I've had some clients have their gel polish wear past 5 weeks with no lifting/chipping, so I believe this is just an individual case.

any suggestions?

I've had this client go on 'breaks' every now and then and it helps with the first two or so services but even then the results aren't where I'd like them to be. Her nails after a 5-6 month hiatus were naturally paper thin, could this be some sort of nutrition deficiency as well? She mentioned that once upon a time she did used to have strong nails

 

[asteropi]

well have you eliminated all the usual culprits here? like medication, hand creams etc? If she's losing overlays, it's probably not just down to thin nails. I have paper thin/weak/bendy nails and I can easily wear enhancements. one day without them and they break again.
IBX would be a good idea, but try to find out what's non-inherent that's causing this

 

[justanailaddict]

well have you eliminated all the usual culprits here? like medication, hand creams etc? If she's losing overlays, it's probably not just down to thin nails. I have paper thin/weak/bendy nails and I can easily wear enhancements. one day without them and they break again.
IBX would be a good idea, but try to find out what's non-inherent that's causing this

She has been having some ongoing health issues similar to vertigo (doctors said it may be another issue)- they are still doing alot of testing so they haven't reached an official diagnosis yet so she isn't taking anything except some omega 3 and multivitamins.
I retail solar oil to her which she uses nightly.

she isn't losing whole overlays, just chipping off the free edge.

her natural nails are literally the thickness of 2 or 3 papers only.. :/

EDIT: I also find it quite strange, as I, and some other clients also have naturally very thin nails, but have done well with the overlays. I've managed to go over 7 weeks without a fill with minimal separation at the free edge. Really losing my mind over this client
I should also mention that she is trying everything to avoid getting overlays as her nails are quite sensitive (perhaps due to thinness?) so the e-file tends to be too hot for her.

 

[Persephannie]

I too would suggest ibx. My nails are thin like see through thin and very bendy. I couldn't keep gel polish on without chipping for 5 days. I found the opi strengthening base coat applied in two coats really helped take the bend out of my nails making my polish last much longer. It also soaks off really well so no filing. If she want a break from gel I highly suggest Nailtiques. It's the best thing I've ever tried for my nails when going without gel polish. Hope this helps.

 

[ELLE BELLA]

That sounds like my nails , mine are ridged also . And although grow quickly they are thin ,
After 2 days my last gels lifted
However removing gel polish completely is a nightmare
Soaking in acetone made my nails bend into the sides and it was quite painful [emoji37]
When they are prepped with a file I can really feel it
I am a hairdresser though I am trained in manicure / acrylic nails
I now just do hairdressing ,
Any advice ?
Even polish starts chipping within hours !

 

[asteropi]

That sounds like my nails , mine are ridged also . And although grow quickly they are thin ,
After 2 days my last gels lifted
However removing gel polish completely is a nightmare
Soaking in acetone made my nails bend into the sides and it was quite painful [emoji37]
When they are prepped with a file I can really feel it
I am a hairdresser though I am trained in manicure / acrylic nails
I now just do hairdressing ,
Any advice ?
Even polish starts chipping within hours !

Try acrylics

 

[Cindy2021]

I’d try ibx or retail rescue rxx. If her nails are so thin her nail bed is sensitive I’d be wary of applying anything on top