For pink freud if available or anyone she might defer to.  Having worn
acrylic fingernails for 10 years, I had them removed recently to see
whether my natural nails  would grow AND be hard enough not to peel or
break.  Seems the product sold to me by  my beauty shop is useless and
3 coats of the stuff peeled off overnight.  Could I put a coating or 2
of urethane on my nails or does it contain materials too dangerous to
use for 2 or 3 weeks while I travel?

Hi, calamityjane!

This is a stumper. I haven't found any information about the use of
urethane on fingernails. I hope one of my fellow Researchers will be
able to help out here.

~pinkfreud

I emailed a friend who is a Certified Aesthetician and asked her about
your situation. She does *not* think urethane is a good idea (it can
be toxic). She recommends a product called Nutra Nail Power Gel Nail
Hardening System. I found it online here (near the bottom of the
page):

http://www.cosmeticmall.com/cosmeticmall/frame.asp?Mode=2&AID=1061417&PID=177778&SID=105735614940700541&CategoryID=42&BrandID=0&SubCategoryID=290&Page=3

First time I've heard of an "Aesthetician" but I ordered her
recommendation and will give it a try.  I am still a doubting
"Thomasina" and hope someone will try for an answer to my question. I
would think that just as hair on the head is 'dead' so must
fingernails be but I'll wait and see what one of your people says but
thank for trying.  calamityjane-ga

"Aesthetician" is a fancy name for a kind of beauty specialist who
typically works in a spa. My friend has specialty training in giving
facial treatments, and also has a cosmetology license. It seems that
everyone has an elegant title these days. When I was young, we just
called 'em "beauty shop operators." ;-)

I had just composed a long comment but accidentally pressed "cancel"
rather than "submit"!

The gist of it was - I also wore artificial nails for several years. 
It just takes time to let your nails get strong again afterwards.  It
might take a few months to a year for them to become as strong as they
will be.  Things that helped me personally are:

- taking a multivitamin daily (really helped me a bunch!)
- weekly self-manicures, including filing nails and pushing back and
trimming cuticles
- keeping all products, including strengtheners and top coats off
until the damaged part grows completely out
- liberal use of a good lotion, every time you think about it and
after each time you wash your hands.  You can also use moisturizing
gloves while you sleep at night.

My own experience convinced me that it's better to let nails breathe
after having them covered for a long time.  If it were me, I'd avoid
using urethane or anything to cover the nails.