Not seeing results from your nail care routine can be frustrating.
You’re applying your products daily, staying consistent - and yet your nails are still splitting, peeling, or breaking. It can feel like nothing is working.
Recently, one of our customers reached out with exactly this experience. She had been using Dr Tom Nailcare products as instructed for several weeks, but wasn’t seeing any improvement.
“I have been using your product daily… I REALLY wanted it to work… unfortunately it hasn’t had any discernible results.”
At first glance, this was unusual. Most people see noticeable improvements in nail strength within a few weeks. As always, we offered a full, no-questions-asked refund, but she was also open to working with Tom to understand what might be getting in the way.
After discussing her routine, an important detail emerged.
Alongside her nail treatment, she had been regularly using both a heel balm and a hand cream that contained urea.
“I think you have uncovered the main problem… my daily application of hand cream… may have been undoing the effects.”
Urea is a common ingredient in products designed to soften thick skin - like heel balms and intensive hand creams. It works by breaking down keratin, which is exactly what makes it effective for hard skin.
But fingernails are also made of keratin.
This means that while one product was working to strengthen the nail, the other was effectively softening and weakening it at the same time.
Once the urea-based products were removed, she restarted her routine.
“Very hopeful now that I’ve banished all things with urea in them!”
Her nails began growing longer before splitting, with gradual improvements in strength over time. As with many cases, full recovery takes patience, as damaged nail needs to grow out.
"Hi TomProgress indeed. Look at these little beauties!They are long and strong with seemingly no more splitting. I broke one the other day due to snagging it while gardening but other than that they are better than ever.I’m definitely a very satisfied customer.Thanks so much."
What this means for you
If your nails aren’t improving, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product isn’t working - it may mean something else is getting in the way.
It’s worth checking what your nails are exposed to each day, including:
- Hand creams (especially those containing urea)
- Heel balms or foot creams
- Nail polish removers (particularly acetone-based)
- Gels, acrylics, or glues
- Frequent exposure to detergents
Many everyday products and habits can quietly weaken nails over time .
The takeaway
Nail health isn’t just about what you use - it’s also about what you avoid.
Even the best treatment can struggle to work if your nails are being continuously weakened elsewhere.
Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t adding something new.
It’s removing the thing that’s holding you back.