Quick Fixes to Repair Broken Nails Wherever & Whenever

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How to glue, tape, and mend nails so they stay long and strong

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: June 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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Broken nails. Don’t you just hate them? They can have your long, beautiful manicure ruined in a split second. But what if we told you there was a way to fix them? Broken nails don’t have to be your manicure’s chopping block! From permanent to temporary solutions, we’ve got the best and easiest ways you can fix a broken nail just about anywhere.

Things You Should Know

Glue a small strip of a tea bag or nail silk wrap to your nail to seamlessly patch a break or tear.
Wrap a piece of clear tape around your broken nail for a quick fix when you’re out and about.
Use press-on nails to cover up a broken nail without sacrificing your manicure.

1

Try the tea bag method.

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A small strip of a tea bag and super glue is the perfect DIY patch job. Dump out the contents of the tea bag, unfold the wrapper, and cut a tiny strip the size of the break. Then, apply super glue or nail glue to the break. Stick the tea bag strip onto the glue with tweezers and press it down. Add more glue until the strip is saturated, wait for it to dry, buff it with a nail file, and you’re done!^{[1]
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- Paint your nails as you normally would.
- The tea bag will grow with your nail so you won’t lose length or strength.
- Don’t have a tea bag? Try using a tissue or coffee filter.

2

Apply nail glue.

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Repair a small tear in your nail with nail glue and a top coat. Apply nail glue to the torn nail and smooth it out with a toothpick. Press your nail into place as if the break wasn’t there. Hold it in place for at least a minute, so the glue dries. Smooth the repaired area with a nail file, apply a top coat, and you’re good to go!
- Finish your manicure like normal—you won’t be able to see the break.
- If you don’t have nail glue handy, try using super glue.

3

Wrap your nail in silk.

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A nail silk wrap can mend broken nails at a low price. Purchase a pack of nail silk wraps online or at your local drug store. Then, carefully buff your broken nail so there are no rough edges. Dab nail glue directly on the break. Trim a nail silk to the size of your break, peel off the backing, and stick it to your nail. Cut off any excess and paint on another layer of glue.^{[2]
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- Complete your manicure with a strengthening base coat and color.
- The silk wrap will grow with your nail, helping you preserve your nail’s length.

4

Strengthen your nail with dip powder.

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For larger tears, dip your nail in fill powder. Fill powder or dip powder adds strength to your natural nail. Glue your broken nail back together using a thin layer of nail glue. Then, carefully buff your entire nail with a nail file. Apply a dip bond on the upper ¾ of the nail and dip it into the fill powder. Add a second layer of bond and fill powder to the entire nail. Finish your repair with a coat of dip protective seal.^{[3]
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- Dust off any excess powder between each layer with a dusting brush.
- Paint your nails and do the rest of your nail art as you normally would.

5

Put on artificial nails.

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A set of press-on nails can cover tears and imperfections. If your nail falls off completely, don’t sweat it! Wipe off your nail polish and glue on artificial nails to hide that one nail is shorter than the other. This isn’t a permanent fix, but it can give you a longer manicure while you wait for your nail to grow.
- Help your fake nails last longer by gently pushing your cuticles back after you get out of the shower before you put on the nails.^{[4]
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- Never cut your cuticles away, as this could cause an infection.^{[5]
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6

Tape the nail together.

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For a temporary fix without glue, wrap clear tape around the break. Use scissors to trim a small piece of clear tape the size of the break. Place the tape on the break with tweezers, and cut off any excess. Mold the tape around your nail using your fingers.^{[6]
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- This temporary repair is perfect if you break your nail at work or in class and only have tape near you.
- Nail polish won’t adhere to the tape, so make sure you peel the tape off and try a more permanent fix for a long-lasting manicure.

7

File or cut the nail down.

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When all else fails, trim your other nails to match the broken nail’s length. Some nails are too far gone to fix, and that’s okay! Skip the glue and shorten your overall manicure by cutting or filing your nails so they’re all uniform. No one will be able to tell if one nail is broken.
- Opt for dark, muted, or neutral-colored nail polishes when you have short nails.
- Apply a strengthening base coat to protect your natural nail and help them grow.^{[7]
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- Avoid biting or tearing off your nails, as this can weaken and damage them.^{[8]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
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Expert Q&A

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Question

I have a cracked toenail but no damage on the nail bed. Is it ok to apply nail gel over it until it grows out?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Use the glue only on the nail not between skin and the nail to avoid infection. Keep your nail and toe clean with daily washings with soap and water. Additionally, soak your feet in salt water, pat dry and apply petroleum jelly, cover with non-adhesive bandage for overnight to speed up nail growth. You can also take vitamin B complex to promote healthy cell growth and aid in nail repair.

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Tips

Prevent your nails from breaking and help them grow stronger by practicing good nail hygiene and applying a nail hardener.^{[9]
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Avoid using your nails as tools, like opening containers or soda cans, to keep them from breaking. Accidents happen, but the less you do with your nails, the happier they’ll be!^{[10]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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These remedies can work for fixing a split toenail too, but a toenail may require extra special attention.

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