Ideas to encourage downward/curved claw growth in natural nails?

[alexmoore]

I’m trying to get natural nails to have a more pronounced downward/curved “claw” growth. Any tips or experiences with this?

Ideas:
Hard gel + gentle downward pinch and then curing so that it stays down.
Adding light weight to the tip (gravity effect)
Soft rubber band at night for subtle downward pressure
Or other methods?

Photo example attached. Thanks for any advice.

[tarransky]

"braces"-type open thimbles. like the "nail-guards" used by Chinese aristocracy, but not (only) for managing length - also for coercing nail-growth to the desired shape.

[alexmoore]

"braces"-type open thimbles. like the "nail-guards" used by Chinese aristocracy, but not (only) for managing length - also for coercing nail-growth to the desired shape.

Thanks that’s a great idea. Im just thinking if there’s a less obtrusive way of doing it because it would be hard to walk around all day with a thimble and only at night I think wouldn’t be as effective

[ournails]

This is a fascinating topic.

I am not sure how you would be able to control the shape of the nail bed to make it more claw like, but once the nail is past the fingertip, there are ways to curve the nail.

One way I would suggest is to cut tiny relief cuts in the sides of the nail, just past the fingertip. Then push or bend the nail down a bit to the desired curve, then coat the nail with a builder gel to keep it in place. I have used this technique a few times with some of the nail models I had worked with years ago.

Another thought that I had was to take a very thin piece of metal, like a thin paperclip (maybe something a little thinner) and bend it to the desired curve, then place it on top of the nail and secure it in place with builder gel or acrylic. Again, just a thought.

I have always appreciated nails that curve. I would be interested to know what you end up doing and see the results.

[alexmoore]

This is a fascinating topic.

I am not sure how you would be able to control the shape of the nail bed to make it more claw like, but once the nail is past the fingertip, there are ways to curve the nail.

One way I would suggest is to cut tiny relief cuts in the sides of the nail, just past the fingertip. Then push or bend the nail down a bit to the desired curve, then coat the nail with a builder gel to keep it in place. I have used this technique a few times with some of the nail models I had worked with years ago.

Another thought that I had was to take a very thin piece of metal, like a thin paperclip (maybe something a little thinner) and bend it to the desired curve, then place it on top of the nail and secure it in place with builder gel or acrylic. Again, just a thought.

I have always appreciated nails that curve. I would be interested to know what you end up doing and see the results.

Thanks for the ideas.

I want the entire nail to curve not just the free edge and i think it’s possible to do. Let me explain.

I believe the nail bed can change its curve over time.
I was told that the nail matrix will produce the new nail on the easiest way possible meaning that if there’s downward pressure pulling the nail it should automatically build the new nail layers curved.

The ideal theoretical solution would be a permanent glue that connects the underside of the free edge directly to the skin beneath, pulling the nail into a curve while encouraging the nail bed to extend forward over time.
Unfortunately, no such glue exists.
Therefore this is next-best option I've considered: (all 3 things together)

Forced curve using gel overlay
Apply downward pressure on the nail tip and apply a gel overlay on top and cure while it’s still being pushed down.
This keeps the tip closer to the skin, applies mild consistent downward pressure, and might help the nail bed extend.

Daily oil under the free edge
Regularly apply nail oil underneath the free edge and into the hyponychium. This helps the hypnychium (nail bed) extend which adds downward pressure on the nail causing the new nail bed to grow curved (and the downward pressure of the gel helps the hyponychium stick longer.)

Additional nighttime mechanical pressure.
Use tape or a rubber band, to lightly hold the nail tip closer to the skin underneath over night. The pressure must be very mild to avoid bending the existing nail. We just want to promote the new nail to grow in a curve

Regarding a metal rod: I agree. It’s similarly to building a curve with the gel. Both methods don’t make the new nail change shape unlike adhesion to the skin below, so the gel overlay is usually simpler. And the rod might also make the gel pop off. Also where on the rod would you stick it to the nail? Meaning would u just glue the center of the rod to the nail or only the tips of the rod to the nail?

Thoughts?

If you disagree please let me know. I’d love to hear

[rory]

Some really great ideas here.

While pondering the ways to exert downward pressure on free edge, it occurred to me that one might also want to pay attention to "the opposite end of the seesaw". Namely, if you don't keep the cuticle pushed back and softened, it's possible that it would exert downward pressure on the root, thus encouraging the end of the nail to flare upwards!

I have also wondered for a long time whether regular and aggressive push-backs on the cuticle might eventually result in a longer nail bed.

All of this is just theoretical, but probably worth trying.

[ournails]

I am still not sure that you would be able to permanently change the shape and form of the nail bed. But it would definitely be interesting to find out.

Another couple of thoughts that I had are with clothes pins or something like them, but maybe not so tight. I wonder if placing a clothes pin on the tip of the finger and nail for a prolonged period of time would encourage the shape you are looking for? Also placing a clothes pin on the top of the nail, somewhat pinching the sides together to create a more c-curve. I've seen nail techs use the same technique when shaping and tapering acrylic and gel nails. Just a thought.

I wonder what your intentions are here? Do you have a willing participant that is up for this? It sounds like it will take some dedication to accomplish this. And I would think there would possibly be some frustration and a level of discomfort. Just curious on what your thoughts are here.

[luvlngnlz]

Just my 2 cents, imho, I think you have to be born with nails that naturally curve like what you'd like to achieve. Some tips can give this effect, but to make permanent changes to the natural nail is pretty much impossible, even with plastic surgery, without leaving visible scarring. This is also one of the reasons why no plastic surgeon is able to do a hand or finger 'lift'to make older hands look younger.

[lenicano]

You're correct luvInglnz, one has to be born with nails that curve and have long nail beds. Basically it's the distal phalanx (the fingertip bone) that plays the

S81122-14554069.jpg (127.81 KiB) Viewed 7317 times

primary role in determining the shape, width, and curvature of the nail plate
The nail bed sits on the distal phalanx, and its underlying bony structure provides direct structural support and defines the transverse convexity of the nail.

My wife has very fine nail curvature in nine of her fingers, the left index was caught in a car door when she was six.. apparently took a long time to heal, I suppose the bone was fractured because the downward curvature of the nail has remained more.

Another interesting thing is that with older age, osteoporosis often sets in and bones change shape including hands and nails. I had great interest watching the nails of an aunt over 60 years... and observing how the downward curvature developed... She passed away at 105 and her nails were just splendid because of her osteoporosis