FAskedQ's

Frequently ASKed Questions

What is T.I.P.S.™ exactly?

The abbreviated name “The Incredible Protection System” stands for the main function of our product. T.I.P.S. Nail Conditioner is a treatment for your nails and cuticles designed to replenish the lipids, which our everyday life has stripped them of. As the name implies T.I.P.S. protects our nails and cuticles from the damage we expose them to on a daily basis, namely: water, chemical products, harsh cleaning products, waxes as well as silicones found in numerous body care products, etc.

How do I apply T.I.P.S.™ Nail Conditioner?

Apply T.I.P.S. daily to your cuticles, the entire top surface of your nails, the underside of your nails and the skin around your nails. It is important to treat the area around the root of your nail, which is located just before your first knuckle. For optimal results apply the T.I.P.S. treatment when your nails are driest, which for most of us is first thing in the morning. Be sure to apply T.I.P.S. before exposing your hands to water, as it is designed to treat and protect your nails and cuticles from the damage caused by water and other harsh substances throughout the entire day. If you wear nail polish or acrylics, simply apply T.I.P.S. to the cuticle area, the skin around the nail and underneath your nails.

When is the best time of day to apply T.I.P.S.™?

Apply The Incredible Protection System (T.I.P.S.) when your nails are the driest, which for most of us is first thing in the morning. Our nails have not been exposed to water during the night, so our nails and cuticles can absorb T.I.P.S. fast and effectively providing them with maximum protection for the rest of the day. Any application of T.I.P.S. must be done when your hands have been out of water for at least 1 hour. The reason being is that if your nails and cuticles have been exposed to water, they will be full of water and not dry enough to absorb our conditioning treatment.

Can T.I.P.S.™ be washed off if I have a shower or do the dishes immediately after applying it?

No, T.I.P.S. cannot be washed off because it is designed to penetrate your nail and cuticle area and is absorbed almost immediately. Unlike other products, which dry on your nail, this unique conditioning treatment is not “ON” your nail, but rather it is “IN” your nail, thus providing your nails and cuticles with the necessary protection caused by excessive or repeated exposure to water or other damaging substances.

What should I do with the excess solution on my nails and cuticles?

Any remaining solution may be removed with a tissue; however we recommend you gently rub the excess into your hands as you would a hand lotion. In doing so remember not to massage or stimulate your cuticles in any way, as this will only irritate or damage them.

Which nail problems will The Incredible Protection System help?

T.I.P.S. is an effective treatment for most nail-related problems including peeling, cracking, splitting, chipping, ridging, discoloration and brittleness. Many users have also reported a reduced incidence of hangnails and nail biting. In addition, T.I.P.S. will help in growing out acrylics and creating a healthy, natural nail.

When will I see results?

Results vary with different users, but generally speaking, applying daily as directed; you should expect to see results within 4 – 6 weeks. Happily, many customers report results much sooner than 30 days. Marked improvement regarding problems such as brittleness and chipping should be noticeable, whereas other problems that are solved over time as the nail grows will depend on growth rate and differences in body metabolism. The key to success is to stick with the program and to call us on our toll-free line if you have questions or need assistance in using our product.

Can I use T.I.P.S.™ more than once a day?

Absolutely. You will be able to tell over time when your nails can use a treatment. Needs depend on your lifestyle and the types of chemicals and levels of moisture your nails are exposed to. We even recommend applying our conditioning treatment more often, perhaps two or three times a day, if you have your hands in water frequently. However, you must keep in mind that prior to application your hands must not have had contact with water for at least 1 hour. After treating them your hands can be exposed to water immediately.

Is this product designed for growth or just conditioning my nails?

This product is designed to treat both your nails and your cuticles by creating strong nails through flexibility and by replenishing the lipids, which are the cement holding the cells together. This is important because our cuticles are made up of thousands of cells and they provide the natural seal between the hard nail and the soft skin. The cuticle also produces the final, most protective layer of your nail. Therefore, if your cuticle is irritated or damaged in any way, it cannot perform its function properly. It is logical that if your cuticles are left alone to do their intended job, they will be able to use all their energy to create long, healthy nails, which are naturally strong and resistant. Users of T.I.P.S. have reported faster, better growth of their nails after applying the treatment daily as directed.

Can you tell me something about the ingredients in T.I.P.S.™?

Of course, T.I.P.S. contains natural ingredients combined with our exclusive ingredient in order to create this protection system and replenish the ever so important lipids. The main ingredient is soybean oil, chosen because it is lighter than other oils and has a similar molecular structure to that found in our skin. In addition we use Vitamin E, which is a natural emollient that will moisturize and condition your nails and cuticles. As with most body care products preservatives have been added to provide longer shelf life. The last ingredient listed is our exclusive ingredient that makes our product unique and allows us to say: “There is nothing else comparable to T.I.P.S. on the market.”

Is T.I.P.S.™ a nail polish or a nail hardener?

No, T.I.P.S. is a nail conditioning treatment that, unlike nail polishes and hardeners, does not contain any volatile or fast drying chemicals. Since T.I.P.S. is an oil-based treatment, it will not dry on the surface of your nail. Once you are done applying T.I.P.S. to all of your nails, rub the excess into your hands just like hand cream or simply use soap and water to remove any excess.

Can I wear nail polish while treating my nails with T.I.P.S.™?

For best results we suggest that you do not wear nail polish, especially if you are just starting with T.I.P.S. If you are a new user we recommend taking at least a two-week holiday from nail polish. Once your nails start to improve you can recommence your use of nail polish, but as always, avoid contact with the cuticle and skin around the nail. Continue to apply the T.I.P.S. treatment as directed to the cuticle area, the skin surrounding the nail and underneath the nail. Secretly, we hope that once you start to have beautiful nails naturally you won’t see a need for polish anymore.

Can I use artificial nails and apply T.I.P.S.™ at the same time?

Yes, and T.I.P.S. is a great way to grow out your artificial nails as well. Apply the treatment around the cuticle and underneath the nail. In the meantime, do not attempt to rip or peel your artificial nails off. Simply stop going for fills, cut the ends right down and keep applying T.I.P.S. twice daily. Used as directed, T.I.P.S. will help you get rid of your artificial nails without damaging your natural nail.

How do I apply T.I.P.S.™ if I choose to wear acrylics or nail polish?

Should you continue wearing acrylics and/or nail polish apply T.I.P.S. everyday around your cuticles, the skin around the nail, any natural nail not covered by acrylic and the underside of every nail in order to condition your cuticles and replenish the lipids. Apply T.I.P.S. when your nails are the driest, i.e. when they have been out of water at least 1 hour if not longer. Keep in mind that T.I.P.S. absorbs immediately; it is not a coating, rather a treatment. Any excess solution can simply be rubbed into your fingers like a hand lotion. You cannot wash it off as it is “IN” your nail as opposed to being “ON” your nail.

Do I need to use the ASK Contour Nail File for T.I.P.S.™ to work effectively?

No, T.I.P.S. will work in any case. However, in order to grow longer, stronger, healthier nails it is imperative that your nails are completely smooth and without any roughness or nicks, that may get caught on things and tear the nail. Our ASK Contour Nail File is designed to gently file, not tear your nail tissue, thereby sealing your nail edge and helping protect them from peeling, splitting and other damage.

Should I use hand cream with T.I.P.S.™?

When using hand creams or lotions you should avoid getting these products on your nails. The waxes and silicones contained in these products can put up a barrier on the surface of the nail inhibiting the absorption of T.I.P.S.. We recommend that you use our Revival Skin Conditioning Milk to moisturize your hands instead of those other harsh products.

Does T.I.P.S.™ help in preventing nail biting?

Although T.I.P.S. is not formulated for this specific problem, it promotes cessation of nail biting by what it does for your nails, namely eliminating the usual nail problems that promote a biting event. Nail biting is often initiated by chipping, splitting or brittleness, any of which our T.I.P.S. Nail Conditioner will solve. If you still start to bite your nail, you will then notice a much different nail texture, which will also help break the habit.

Can you tell me if T.I.P.S.™ is okay for vegetarians?

At ASK Cosmetics we can assure you that T.I.P.S. is okay for vegetarians as we only use natural, plant-derived ingredients. We formulate our product with soybean oil, being the main ingredient, Vitamin E, preservatives and our exclusive ingredient, which also comes from a natural, plant-derived source.

Can T.I.P.S.™ be used by people like me who work in food service?

Most definitely. In fact, it is highly effective for people like you who have their hands exposed to water more frequently throughout the day. Bear in mind that T.I.P.S. does not remain on the surface of your nails and cuticles, but rather it is absorbed almost immediately and protects your nails from the inside. The T.I.P.S. solution does not sit on the surface; it cannot be washed off once it has been absorbed by dry nails. Remember that T.I.P.S. should be applied to nails that have not been in contact with water for at least 1 hour.

Is there a chemical smell when using T.I.P.S.™?

Honestly speaking, when asked most people comment positively on the smell of the T.I.P.S. solution saying it does not bother them in any way, but not everyone likes the smell. If the smell bothers you, we suggest applying T.I.P.S. daily as directed and once applied gently rub in any excess as you would a hand lotion and remove the rest with a tissue or rinse your hands with water. If T.I.P.S. is applied to dry nails and cuticles, it will be absorbed almost immediately and protect your nails and cuticles the rest of the day. Therefore, by rinsing your hands afterwards you are not removing it, because it is “IN” your nail as opposed to “ON” your nail.

How is T.I.P.S.™ for Toes different from T.I.P.S.™ for nails?

There are some specific challenges related to proper care of toe nails. Generally, toe nails are much thicker than finger nails and the skin around the cuticle is much tougher. The tremendous amount of moisture in shoes and socks exacerbates many of the problems we see with finger nails. To address these problems, T.I.P.S. for Toes is supercharged with 33 % more of our exclusive ingredient. We have also added Vitamin E, an oil-soluble antioxidant to reduce oxidization of the lipids that the skin and cuticles need to be properly moisturized.

Can T.I.P.S.™ for Toes be used on your finger nails?

Yes, of course. In fact we recommend using T.I.P.S. for Toes, as it is 33 % stronger, for people whose hands are more exposed to water and/or chemical substances, for instance: mothers, hairdressers, veterinarians, hospital staff, kitchen staff, just to name a few. T.I.P.S. for Toes is also great for people who want to grow out their artificial nails. In this case, simply apply the solution daily around the cuticles, on the skin around the nail, on any natural nail not covered by the acrylics as well as the underside of the natural nail.

What causes thickened toe nails, and can T.I.P.S.™ for Toes help in this situation?

Let me answer this question in two parts: the first being why people have thickened toe nails and the second being how T.I.P.S. for Toes works. First off there are several reasons why people might have thickened toe nails. They range from skin conditions, certain toe injuries, poor health, inadequate nutrition, even genetics all the way to fungus. Unfortunately, the latter is the most prevalent cause of thickened toe nails. In the USA alone about 35 million Americans are affected by one of the many types of nail fungus. Fungi live in warm, dark, moist environments like shoes, socks and stockings, and often infect your toe nail beds when the protective nail surface becomes damaged or broken. Once toe nail fungus takes hold, it is very difficult to get rid of. We, at ASK Cosmetics, cannot make any medical claims in terms of being able to cure toe nail fungus, however we advocate prevention through our incredible protection system.

T.I.P.S. for Toes has been designed to penetrate toe nails, which are generally thicker than finger nails, since it is 33 % stronger than T.I.P.S. and will protect your toe nails from the damage caused by water and salt from sweat as well as irritation due to the elevated exposure to moisture. For optimal results T.I.P.S. for Toes must be applied to toe nails that are completely dry. By this we mean they should not have any contact with water for at least one hour and be well-aired out from being in shoes and socks prior to applying T.I.P.S. for Toes. Our solution will be almost instantaneously absorbed and will then provide maximum protection against moisture and irritation caused by the huge amount of sweat our feet release each day.

How does water cause damage to your nails?

Many people do not realize how water damages and weakens our finger nails and toe nails alike. Water destroys the natural binders in the nail tissues with repeated absorption (swelling of the tissue cells) and evaporation (shrinking of the tissue cells) of the water into and out of the nail. Imagine a sponge that has water poured on it. The sponge swells up as it absorbs the water, however when the water evaporates from the sponge, it dries up again. This constant swelling takes place in our nail tissue whenever we have our hands exposed to water. For most of us this happens several times a day. That is the reason why we recommend applying T.I.P.S. when your nails are the driest, in order for them to absorb the maximum amount of our solution. When your nails are full of T.I.P.S. they cannot absorb water and that is one of the ways that T.I.P.S. helps to protect your nails from water damage.

What are the “other ingredients” listed on the bottle of T.I.P.S.™?

This term “other ingredients” refers to the exclusive ingredient we add to our formulation, which allows for the penetration of the lipids directly into the nails and cuticles, proven in independent studies by The California Skin Research Institute. We sometimes call it our secret ingredient, as no one else on the market today uses it in their nail care products, and it is what makes our product uniquely different and so effective in treating, fortifying and strengthening the nails.