WML: How to Stop Biting Nails

As I mentioned previously, I’ve had some success with stopping nail biting.

I did not really start biting nails on my own. I picked it up from one of my childhood friends. You know, peer pressure. In fact, it was the same friend that cost me that front tooth which I will be replacing with an implant now. Two things to remember him by. Grrr.

I analyzed my nail biting and came up with the following conclusions:
a) I usually start biting a nail that is longer then the rest, has overgrown cuticle or jagged edges.
b) I bite my nails more when my hands are dry

Ok, so here’s how I stopped:

I went to a Dwayne Reed drugstore and bought myself a whole bunch of manicure stuff:

  • a couple of nail files
  • nail buffer
  • nail cissors
  • cuticle sissors
  • cuticle stick
  • Orly No Bite bitter clear polish
  • Sally Hansen Problem Cuticle Remover
  • Sally Hansen Radiant Hands, Nails & Cuticles Creme
  • Sally Hansen Maximum Growth
  • Sally Hansen Thicken Up!� Strengthening Nail Thickener

    First I took care of the dry skin. I really like that Radiant Hands, Nails & Cuticles Creme – it almost doesn’t smell.

    Then I took care of the cuticles with the cuticle cream and cuticle scissors.

    Polished away jagged surface of bitten nails and buffed their surface.

    For a weekend I used the bitter nail polish thingy. It’s wasn’t very bitter, but it reminded me.

    More importantly, I kept a nail file at work, in my bag, near my computer and at my bedside table. The hardest thing is to stop after biting a nail. By polishing away the jagged edge as soon as you transgress it’s easiest to stop.

    I applied the “Maximum Growth and Thicken Up” thingies from time to time. Nails that are bitten for a long time do not grow very well and are thin. These two products help a little with that.

    I think at some point I am going to get a manicure and a pedicure. Maybe it’s not very manly, but I am very secure in my masculinity.

    [update] Even after all that I was not able to quit completely. These days I can go without nail biting for up to a month at a time, but I am a full blown nail biting recidivist. That moisturizer really helps though.

    If you are coming from Lifehacker link, please don’t forget to take a look at the rest of WML posts and other good stuff.