Liam Carter
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those looking for long-lasting, chip-free nail polish. But can gel polish help strengthen nails? The short answer is yes, gel polish can help strengthen nails and promote healthy nail growth. When paired with good nail care, gel polish can provide extra strength and protection to your nails, making them less prone to breakage. However, it's important to be cautious as the manicure process can lead to dehydration and thinning of the nail plate, and prolonged use can make nails dry, brittle, and fragile. Additionally, the use of UV light to cure the polish and acetone to remove it can be harmful. To maintain nail health, it's recommended to space out manicures, properly remove gel polish, and prioritize rehydration and nourishment with cuticle oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Strengthening nails | Gel polish can strengthen nails by providing a hard coating and extra layers of reinforcement to protect them from breaking, splitting, or tearing. |
| Protection | Gel polish acts as a harder layer of protection over the natural nail, which can result in increased nail growth. |
| Durability | Gel polish is more durable than regular polish, lasting from two to three weeks without chipping. |
| Flexibility | Gel polish can cause nail dehydration, making nails brittle and prone to breakage. Therefore, it is important to properly remove gel polish and allow nails to rehydrate and repair between manicures. |
| UV Light Exposure | The UV light used to cure gel polish can be harmful, so it is recommended to use sunscreen on the hands before exposure. |
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What You'll Learn
The pros and cons of gel polish
Gel nail polish is a popular choice for those looking to strengthen their nails and achieve a long-lasting manicure. While it has its benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Here are the pros and cons of gel polish:
The Pros:
- Strength and Protection: Gel polish provides extra strength and protection to nails, making them less prone to breakage, splitting, and bending. It acts as a hard coating that reinforces the natural nail, allowing it to grow stronger.
- Longevity: Gel manicures can last for up to three weeks without chipping, peeling, or losing their shine. This makes them a cost-effective option, as you won't need to redo your manicure frequently.
- Convenience: With gel polish, you don't have to worry about drying time. The polish cures under a UV/LED light, so you can go about your day without the fear of smudging your nails.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Gel nail polish is known for its high-gloss finish and ability to mimic the look of natural nails. It offers a wide range of colours and designs, from timeless French manicures to more creative options.
The Cons:
- Nail Health: While gel polish can strengthen nails, it's important to give your nails a break and let them breathe. Nails receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood system, and constant polish can deprive them of this.
- Removal Process: Removing gel polish can be tricky and time-consuming. It often requires acetone and gentle removal techniques to avoid damaging your nails. Improper removal can lead to shredded or weakened nails.
- UV Exposure: The use of UV/LED lights to cure the polish can expose your hands to more UV light than you realize. This can be a concern, and sunscreen is recommended before placing your hands under the lights.
- Dehydration: The manicure process and long-lasting coverage can lead to dehydration and thinning of the nail plate. It's important to follow proper removal techniques and give your nails some recovery time between manicures.
- Cost: Gel manicures tend to be more expensive than traditional polish due to the longer-lasting formula and the need for special equipment.
Overall, gel polish can be a great option for those seeking long-lasting, durable manicures. However, it's important to be mindful of potential nail health issues and give your nails some love and care between gel applications.
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How to strengthen nails after gel polish
While gel manicures can help your nails grow by strengthening and protecting them, it is important to care for your nails after the gel polish is removed. The manicure process can dehydrate your nails, making them dry, brittle, and prone to damage. Here are some tips to strengthen your nails after a gel manicure:
Moisturize
Use cuticle oil to deeply hydrate your nails and cuticles. Massage the oil into the cuticle area, where new, healthy nail growth starts. You can also use jojoba oil, which strengthens nail beds and boosts healthy nail growth. Apply the oil three times a day for five days, keeping your nails otherwise bare.
Keep Nails Natural
Allow your nails to breathe and recover by keeping them polish-free for a few days after removing gel polish. If you need to apply polish, use a nail strengthener as a base coat. You can also look for nail polishes that contain strengthening ingredients.
Shorten Your Nails
Keep your nails short to prevent breakage and give them a chance to grow out stronger and healthier. Nails that are not in the best shape tend to look healthier when they are shorter.
File Your Nails
Perform a simple manicure by filing your nails every two to four days to prevent breakage and snags.
Use Keratin Treatments
Keratin is a natural protein that forms the building blocks of our nails. Apply a keratin treatment to help strengthen your nails and prevent them from peeling, splitting, or breaking.
Take Supplements
Ingestible collagen peptides and biotin supplements can help promote healthy nail growth from the inside out. You can also incorporate biotin-rich and collagen-synthesizing foods, such as salmon, avocados, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, into your diet.
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The manicure process and its impact on nail health
The manicure process can have both positive and negative impacts on nail health. On the one hand, gel manicures can help nails grow by strengthening and protecting them. They add extra layers of reinforcement to natural nails, making them less prone to breakage. Good gel polish brands may also contain beneficial ingredients such as vitamins E or C, which promote healthy nail growth.
However, there are also several potential drawbacks to the manicure process, particularly when it comes to gel nails. The process of applying and removing gel nail polish can cause a lot of wear and tear on nails, and if done consistently every two weeks, the nail plate can become extremely suffocated, leading to dehydration and breakage. Gel manicures can also expose nails to UV light, which can be harmful, and the long wear time of gel polish means that any issues developing underneath may go unnoticed.
Additionally, the use of acetone to remove gel polish can be extremely drying to the nail bed, causing nails to break or become brittle. To combat this, it is recommended to keep cuticle oil close at hand to rehydrate the nails and cuticles. Taking a break from polish for at least a few days between manicures can also help nails repair and strengthen.
To ensure nail health during the manicure process, it is important to have manicures performed with clean tools, good-quality gel polish, and by a knowledgeable technician.
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The best products to use for strengthening nails
While gel manicures can help nails grow by strengthening them, they can also lead to dehydration and thinning of the nail plate. Therefore, it is important to use gel nail polishes that are specifically designed to strengthen nails, such as those that contain beneficial ingredients like vitamins E or C. Additionally, good nail care practices, such as proper removal techniques, are crucial for maintaining nail health.
ORLY Nailtrition Nail Growth Treatment
This product was recommended by Byrdie as the overall winner among the best nail strengtheners. It strengthens nails, supports nail growth, and masks imperfections with a subtle shimmery finish.
Lights Lacquer Magic Strengthener
For a high-shine finish and once-a-week application, this keratin-enriched formula is a great choice. Keratin, as explained by Dr. Shari Lipner, an associate professor of clinical dermatology, "crosslinks keratin, the building block of your nails, to make the nail more durable."
Duri Intensive Growth Treatment
This treatment contains powerhouse strengthening ingredients such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, and calcium. It promotes nail flexibility, reduces brittleness, and creates a protective coat to seal in moisture. Our tester loved the clear, high-shine finish over her bare nails.
Nail Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Nail Treatment & Strengthener
Although we didn't see much change in nail strength, we found that this formula had an easy application, fast dry time, and provided a shiny finish.
Sally Hansen's "Nail Rehab"
This product, recommended by a user on Reddit, is said to have worked wonders on their nails after years of abuse. It's a sheer pink shade that can be used as the only polish to help restore nail beds and cuticles to their healthy state.
Essie's Strong Start Base Coat
Recommended by a user on Reddit, this base coat can be used as a starting point for your manicure, providing a foundation for subsequent coats of polish to adhere to.
Bluesky Hard Gel
Bluesky's Hard Gel can be used as a nail strengthener, either underneath your gel polish colour coats or on its own for a natural-looking manicure. Their users also love adding an extra coat of Hard Gel before the Top Coat to ensure stronger nails.
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How to remove gel polish safely
While gel manicures can help your nails grow by strengthening and protecting them, it is important to remove the gel polish properly to avoid damaging your nails. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to safely remove gel polish at home:
Gather Your Supplies:
You will need acetone, cotton balls or pads, plastic food wrap, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file. Cuticle oil and a nail buffer are optional but recommended. If you do not want to use acetone, you can opt for a gel nail polish remover, which is less harsh on your nails and skin.
Prepare Your Work Area:
Line your work area with a cloth or plastic wrap to protect it from acetone stains. Acetone has a strong smell, so make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.
File the Top Coat:
Use a coarse nail file to gently file down the top coat of the gel polish. Continue filing until the top coat loses its shine and smoothness. This step is crucial as it breaks down the hard outer layer of the gel polish, making it easier to remove.
Soak Your Nails:
If using acetone, soak cotton balls or pads in acetone and place them on top of your nails. Then, wrap each nail tightly with plastic food wrap to create a seal. This helps contain the acetone and prevents dripping. Leave the wrap on for about 10 minutes.
If using a gel nail polish remover, apply a thick layer of the remover directly to your gel nails, avoiding contact with your skin. Allow the remover to soak in for 5 minutes.
Remove the Gel Polish:
After soaking, most or all of the gel polish should be ready to come off. Use a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick to gently push and remove the gel polish off each nail. If the polish is not coming off easily, soak the nail with the acetone or remover for an additional 5 minutes.
Clean and Buff Your Nails:
Use a washcloth soaked in warm water to gently rub off any remaining traces of gel polish. Be careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin. Wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove any residue. Finally, gently buff your nails to smooth out ridges and remove any small bits of gel polish. Again, be cautious not to over-buff, as this can weaken your nails.
Moisturize:
Apply cuticle oil to your cuticles and nails to keep them hydrated and healthy. This step is essential, as the removal process can be drying to your nails and skin.
Tips:
- Always work on one hand at a time to prevent mess and ensure ease of application.
- Avoid wrapping your nails too tightly with the plastic wrap to maintain proper blood circulation.
- Be gentle throughout the entire process to avoid damaging your nails.
- If you are having difficulty removing the gel polish, consider seeking professional help instead of forcing it off.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gel polish can help strengthen nails. It provides a hard coating that protects nails from breaking, splitting, or tearing.
Gel polish acts as reinforcement for natural nails, making them less prone to breakage. It also adds layers to the nails, making them harder to bend or snap.
Gel polish manicures can last for up to two to three weeks without chipping, which is much longer than traditional nail polish.
Yes, the manicure process and prolonged use of gel polish can lead to dehydration, nail plate thinning, and nail bed damage. It can also expose your nails and hands to excessive UV light, which may increase the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
It is important to give your nails breaks between gel manicures. You should also ensure proper removal techniques, such as soaking with acetone, rather than picking or peeling the polish off. Additionally, keeping your nails short and using cuticle oil can help minimise damage.
