Sophia Delgado
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those seeking long-lasting, chip-free nail polish. However, there are concerns about their potential negative impact on nail health. Some people claim that gel manicures have caused their nails to become flaky, yellow, and weakened. While gel polish itself is unlikely to harm the nails, improper removal can lead to nail damage. Additionally, the UV light used to set the gel and the chemicals in cleaning products can be harmful to the skin and natural nails. To maintain nail health, it is recommended to space out gel manicures, follow proper removal procedures, and prioritize aftercare.
Are gel nails good for your real nails?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Durability | Gel nails are durable and long-lasting. |
| Appearance | They have a strong, flexible, glossy finish that is chip-resistant. |
| Safety | The UV light used to set the gel can be harmful to the skin. |
| Nail health | Improper removal can weaken or damage nails, causing flaky nail beds, yellow nails, and weakened nails. |
| Aftercare | Proper aftercare is important to prevent nail damage. This includes rehydrating nails with a moisturizing product and taking breaks between manicures. |
| Removal | Gel nails should be removed by a professional to ensure safety. The removal process typically involves soaking nails in acetone. |
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What You'll Learn
Gel manicures can weaken nails
While some people claim that gel manicures are responsible for flaky and weak nail beds, this is not always the case. The damage is usually caused by improper removal techniques, such as using gritty files, vigorous scraping, or mixing brands. These methods can cause irreversible damage to the nail and cuticles. Therefore, it is recommended to only soak the fingertips in acetone or use cotton balls and small pieces of aluminium foil to remove the polish.
Gel manicures can also weaken nails if proper aftercare instructions are not followed. For example, it is important to rehydrate nails with a moisturising product between polishes to minimise brittleness and prevent chipping. Additionally, it is beneficial to space out gel manicures and take breaks to let nails return to normal.
The UV nail lamps used to cure gel nail polish emit harmful UV rays, which can damage the skin on your hands and fingers and potentially lead to skin cancer and premature skin ageing. Thus, it is important to apply sunscreen to your hands before a gel manicure to protect your skin from these UV rays.
Furthermore, gel manicures can be tough on nails if you engage in cleaning with harsh chemicals and acidic cleaners, as these can erode both the gel and your natural nails.
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Proper aftercare can prevent damage
While gel manicures can weaken your nails, proper aftercare can prevent damage. Dermatologists recommend taking a break between manicures to let your nails return to normal. You can try not wearing nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails to rehydrate, minimising brittleness and helping to prevent chipping.
It's also important to be proactive with your manicurist. Ask if their tools are sterilised and ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting them after every client. You should also ask how the product will be removed and make sure they won't be using a gritty file, sander, or another tool to scrape the product off vigorously. Gel polish should come off easily after soaking in acetone, and other methods can cause tremendous and sometimes irreversible damage to the nail and cuticle.
To remove gel nail polish at home, only soak your fingertips in acetone, rather than your whole hands or fingers, to protect the surrounding skin. You can also use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrapped around your fingertips with small pieces of aluminium foil. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come right off.
Before a gel manicure, you should also apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands to prevent skin cancer and premature skin ageing. This will help protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish to the nail.
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UV light used to set the gel can harm skin
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, the UV light used to set the gel can harm your skin.
Lamps that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation are standard at many nail salons. These lamps are used to speed-dry regular manicures and are required to set gel manicures. Some nail lamps are called "UV" lamps, while others are called LED lamps, but both emit UV radiation, predominantly in the form of UVA rays.
UVA rays have been linked to premature skin aging and skin cancer. While the risk of skin cancer from UV nail lamps is lower than that of UV tanning devices, it is still a concern. UV light damages DNA, which can lead to mutations that play a key role in the development of different types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
To protect your skin from the potential harm of UV light during a gel manicure, it is recommended to apply a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before exposure. Wearing fingerless gloves during your manicure can also provide added protection.
Additionally, it is important to be mindful of the removal process of gel nail polish. Improper removal can potentially weaken or damage your nails. It is recommended to visit a professional to ensure proper care and maintenance. Taking breaks between manicures can also allow your nails to return to normalcy.
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Acetone is required to remove gel polish
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they have acquired a bad reputation for causing flaky nail beds, yellow nails, weakened nails, and skin damage. However, improper removal is often the culprit for nail damage, and acetone is required to safely and effectively remove gel polish.
Acetone is the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, according to board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, FAAD. While applying acetone to your nails may sound harsh, picking or filing off gel nail polish can cause significant damage to your nails and cuticles. To protect your nails, Dr. Lipner recommends letting your nails grow out and clipping them once a week to remove the gel nail polish. This process can take about six months for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails.
If you choose to remove gel nail polish with acetone, there are a few methods you can use. One method is to soak your fingertips in acetone, protecting the surrounding skin. Another option is to soak cotton balls in acetone, apply them to your nails, and wrap small pieces of aluminum foil around your fingertips. After about 10 to 15 minutes, the nail polish should come off easily. To avoid staining and protect your work area from acetone damage, cover the area with a cloth or plastic wrap.
It is important to note that acetone can be tough on your nails and skin, causing dryness and a rough texture. Therefore, some people prefer to use a gel nail polish remover, which is faster, simpler, and requires fewer tools. However, if you are experiencing recurring nail problems or are allergic to acetone, it is recommended to opt for traditional nail polish instead of gel polish.
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Rehydrating nails can prevent chipping
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Some people claim that gel manicures are responsible for their flaky nail beds, yellow nails, weakened nails, and skin damage. However, improper removal is often the main culprit for nail damage. To prevent this, it's important to rehydrate your nails.
Rehydrating your nails can help prevent chipping by minimizing brittleness. In between polishes, apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day. Drinking enough water can also help hydrate your nails, just like it does for your hair and skin. Keeping a water bottle on hand can help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Cuticle creams can also help to rehydrate nails and prevent chipping. Cuticles can dry out from repetitive hand washing and manicures, so it's important to protect them with a nourishing cream. Massage the cream into and around your nails nightly before going to bed. You can also use cuticle oil or plain coconut oil to keep your nails strong, shiny, and healthy.
In addition to rehydrating your nails, there are a few other things you can do to prevent chipping. Before applying nail polish, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any natural oils that may prevent the polish from adhering correctly. When filing your nails, be gentle and use a smooth sponge file to avoid additional breakage and peeling. After painting your nails, seal the tips of your nails horizontally with a top coat to protect them from chipping. Finally, take breaks between manicures to let your nails return to normal. Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer in between gel manicures.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel nails can weaken your natural nails if you don't follow proper aftercare instructions. It is recommended to take breaks between manicures to let your nails return to normal. The UV light used to set the gel can also be harmful to your skin, so it is important to apply sunscreen or wear UV protection gloves before your gel manicure.
To care for your nails after a gel manicure, it is recommended to apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day. This will help to minimise brittleness and prevent your nails from chipping. You can also apply cuticle oil to your bare nails to keep them hydrated.
To remove gel nail polish, only soak your fingertips in acetone or use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrap them in aluminium foil. This will ensure that only your nails come into contact with the acetone. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come off easily. It is important to not pick at the polish or use other nails or tools to remove it, as this can damage your nails.
