With Summer weather comes sandals, flip flops, and barefeet.  Exposed toes is the norm for many.  Many of those who prefer the sandals and flip flops, however, also suffer from deformed, discolored, or thick toenails.  But what are the options to try and attain a normal appearing toenail when open toe shoes are desired?  Painting the nail and the skin is an option, but one that doesn’t leave a very natural appearance of a normal toenail.  Take home fake nail kits are commonly used, but are usually short lived, as they don’t stand up to the pressures of shoes and walking as well as one would like.  Moreover, use of fake nails creates a potential for water to reside under the fake nail, potentially leading to infection.  Finally, there is a medical grade resin applied in the office, which looks and feels like a normal, healthy toenail.  This product lasts approximately 2 months, and may need to be reapplied at that time, as the nail will grow out, warranting touching up of the nail.