Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System

by Lisa Heath

Press Sample

Today we’re going to talk about some nail care. I was sent the Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System to try out. This is a 3 step system that was created by Dr. Dana Stern, who is an internationally recognized dermatologist and is one of the only physicians in the country with a specialty in the diagnosis and treatment of nail disorders.

I’ve been using the Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System for 3 weeks now to see what I think of it. We’ll go through the simple 3 step process and then talk about my thoughts on it.

Before we jump into this, I do want to mention that I have strong, healthy (I think so anyway) nails. I’ve never experienced peeling, weird breakage, or anything of that nature.  I had acrylics for 12-13 years, and when I removed them at home (I don’t recommend that by the way) about a month later they bounced back and it was like the acrylics never happened. That’s how good my nails seem to be.

That’s not to say I don’t still pamper them. I do quite a bit, and because of all the polish and remover and other pretties I put  on and take off my nails, I’m always looking for ways to keep them in good condition.

So let’s look at the system. I took photos of my nails along the way while using the system.

My Nails to Start:

Even fuller disclosure – another thing I always did to my nails before starting this system is buffing my nails lightly. I don’t like nail ridges in my nails and remove them. My nails weren’t prominent so it doesn’t take much. You can see on my ring finger where the growth is from the last time I buffed my nails.

Now for the system.

Step 1: Glycolic Prep For Nails

Step 1 is the Glycolic Prep for Nails. This is in a click pen style applicator that has 1.5 ml of product and is easy to use. This step is meant to exfoliate your nails… which I hadn’t heard of doing before. I exfoliate my hands with sugar scrubs, but I hadn’t thought of using anything to exfoliate my nails.

Directions: Twist the bottom of pen until a droplet appears on the applicator tip. Brush a thin, even coat onto clean, dry, unpolished nails. One pen twist treats five nails. Use once weekly. Provides 90 days of treatment.

This small amount (there’s some hidden in the brush too) coated 5 full nails easily. It brushes on quickly and spreads evenly with very little effort.

Step 2: Perfect Grit Priming Wand

This step surprised me. Although I buff my nails, I’ve always been told that buffing them at all was a HUGE no-no (which is why I only mention I do it when asked, I don’t want people with thinner nails doing it because I said I do)

You don’t wash Step 1 off before doing this either. Let Step 1 dry (doesn’t take long) and then start step 2

I do want to stress that you DON’T overdo this step! Over buffing is not good, which is why I don’t do it too much or too often.

Directions: Start with Side 1 and sweep over nails two to five times ONLY. A light powdery overlay will appear indicating it’s time for Side 2. Using Side 2, sweep over nails two to five times. Finish with Side 3, pressing more firmly and sweeping back and forth until nails achieve a lustrous, chip-free shine.

This step will leave your nails looking slightly glossy and kind of incredible.

Step 3: Deep Hydrating Formula

Now the final step! This is another click pen style applicator that has 1.5 ml of product. This isn’t a typical nail oil, it has the consistency of a thinner petroleum jelly. It has a hint of citrus scent and a slight orange tint as well.

Directions: Twist the bottom of the pen until the applicator tip is saturated. Brush generously onto nails, cuticles and surrounding skin. Use once a week, or more, if nails are prone to peeling. Provides 90 days of treatment when used weekly (less if used more frequently).

Much like step 1 – this small amount covers all 5 nails and surrounding skin. If you like laying it on thicker – have at it.

Final Results:

Here is what my nails look at the end.  Still smooth (I buff anyway, just not while using this system – other than with the wand provided) but they look brighter and a bit better with a nice lustre.

Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System Overview

As a whole, this is an incredibly easy to use 3 step system. It takes a total of 15 minutes to do all 3 steps and the end results look really nice. If you go a lot without polish, this gives your nails a really nice, healthy glow.

I wish I could comment on whether it helped my nails health wise. They naturally grow fairly fast and don’t stain easily, but there is a visual difference in the before and after. They don’t look so dull. The surrounding skin and cuticles do remain nice though and I haven’t had to do normal cuticle maintenance in the time frame I used this system, which was 3 weeks.

Each set of the Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System lasts approximately 90 days. You receive the items shown in this post (2 click style brush pens – 1 Glycolic Prep for Nails & 1 Deep Hydrating Formula – plus the Priming Wand)

This system is free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Dibutyl Phthalate, Camphor, Toluene, Paraben, Xylene, Triphenyl Phosphate,  and Ethyl Tosylamide

It also contains no dye, artificial fragrance, alcohol and is cruelty free.

Price: $46.00

Where To Buy: Dr. Dana Beauty Website

Price wise, I actually find this on the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to some others I’ve seen and tried out. Since this is a 3 month treatment – it breaks down to a little over $15 a month.

What do you think of the Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System? Is it something you would try?

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22 comments

Eugenia June 11, 2017 - 5:05 pm

This sounds and looks so cool! I never knew you could use glycolic for your nails!

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Jessica Holoka June 12, 2017 - 4:38 am

My nails are terrible so I’ll have to give this a shot. I have thin, brittle nails, but I would love to get them long enough to a point where they don’t split or break on me!

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Lani June 12, 2017 - 5:09 am

My nails peel like crazy! I think I’ll have to look into this. Thank uou

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Kelley June 12, 2017 - 6:46 am

My nails are in serious need of TLC.., I have to check this out!!

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Painted Fingertips June 12, 2017 - 9:32 am

I used to buff my nails (before I really got into polish) and although they looked amazing after buffing, it made them peel :-/

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Lisa Heath June 12, 2017 - 9:50 am

I’ve been doing it for 9 years and my nails don’t peel after, but it’s also why I don’t tell people I do it since everyone reacts differently. The one in this system though tells you to only swipe 2-5 times max.

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Eithne June 12, 2017 - 11:03 am

Looks interesting but I saw it recently and not easily available in Canada

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Beverly Barry August 11, 2022 - 10:42 am

I am in my 70’s and my nails have become very dry and brittle and extremely prone to splitting and breaking. I had a lot of ridges running vertically from base to tip and my nails tended to split right down the ridges. I saw this product recently on Good Morning America’s “Deals and Steals” segment. Since it was recommended there and at a great discount, I thought I’d give it a try. After the be first use I noticed a *huge* difference. After the second weekly treatment, the ridges are hugely reduced and I can honestly say my nails look and feel 100% better. I plan to continue using this product. I wish I had thought to take a ‘before’ picture for comparison. I am *VERY* happy with this product.

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Cris of Kiss My Tulle June 12, 2017 - 12:07 pm

I love nude nails so this is perfect for me!

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Chelsea June 12, 2017 - 3:17 pm

You can definitely see the difference! My gosh, I wish I had such nice nails. As you started listing things like breakage and peeling I was like YUP, ME, haha.

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Krystal June 12, 2017 - 4:19 pm

This is a system I would definitely try. I too use to buff my nails but stopped when I read that you shouldn’t do it, every now and then if my ridges get too bad I’ll lightly buff.

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Carly Anderson June 12, 2017 - 6:14 pm

whoa, your nails look AMAZING!

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Miranda | Slashed Beauty June 12, 2017 - 8:48 pm

I have total Nail Envy!!! I will have to check this out so I can rock my natural nails.

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Kendra June 13, 2017 - 3:56 am

I’ve always had great nails but they probably could use this system as I’ve been not-so-nice to them the past 6 months with repeat shallac.

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Christina June 13, 2017 - 8:07 am

I used to do acrylics all the time and it definitely did a number on my nails. They’re okay now, but I know this would definitely help with the breakage and peeling on the tips!

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Ehmkay Nails June 14, 2017 - 9:55 am

I didn’t think your nails could look nicer but wow, the system makes them look sooo clean!!

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Polished Hippy June 14, 2017 - 11:37 am

You have the most perfect nails! Sometimes I have to buff out peels, but generally my nails are so thin I really can’t afford to lose any thickness.

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Simona June 14, 2017 - 11:53 am

Your nails are so healthy! And they look even fresher after the treatment! I am having serious peeling issues lately and I am trying some new products myself.

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ashley June 14, 2017 - 4:45 pm

Your nails look great! I’m in need of some nail TLC so I’ll have to look into this!

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Katherine June 15, 2017 - 10:37 am

Not something I would try, but great review! (And I am SO jealous of how healthy your nails are!)

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Polish Those Nails June 18, 2017 - 9:14 am

Ohh, this sounds like a great system! My nails have taken quite the beating over the past couple of months, so I might have to try this out!

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Niki Hollstein July 26, 2022 - 4:45 pm

I bought this system and my nails are seperating from my nail bed one week later!

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