Noah Sinclair
Gel nail polish on your toes can be a great option if you're looking for a long-lasting and durable pedicure. It can be particularly useful if you're going on vacation or have an event coming up, as it can last for up to a month. However, there are some potential risks and complications associated with gel pedicures that you should be aware of before making a decision. These include the risk of skin cancer due to UV and LED lamp exposure, premature skin aging, and nail damage during the removal process. Additionally, the constant usage of gel nails can lead to nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. Regular nail polish is generally considered a safer alternative, but ultimately, the choice between gel and regular nail polish depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Can I put gel nail polish on my toes?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Durability | Long-lasting |
| Drying time | Minimal |
| Safety | Can cause nail breakage, cracking, peeling, and splitting |
| Removal | Damaging to nails, especially if not done properly |
| Health risks | Skin cancer, premature skin aging, bacterial skin infection, toe fracture, subungual exostosis |
| Nail care | Nails should be cut straight, shaped, and buffed before application |
| Application | A protective base coat is vital, followed by drying under a lamp |
| Alternatives | Regular polish, dip powder |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of gel nail polish on toes
Gel nail polish can be applied to your toenails, but there are some pros and cons to consider before your next pedicure.
Pros
Gel pedicures are long-lasting, durable, and can last anywhere from two weeks to a month, or even four weeks depending on your choice of shoes, activities, and how fast your nails grow. They are perfect if you are going on vacation or have an event coming up and want to avoid chipping.
Cons
The constant usage of gel nails on your toenails could lead to skin cancer due to UV and LED light exposure, which can also cause premature skin aging. The use of UV light during gel pedicures can also increase the risk of developing a benign vascular tumor called pyogenic granuloma. Additionally, gel pedicures can cause your nails to become brittle, peel, and crack, and the removal process can be damaging to your nails.
To minimise the risk of injury or infection, it is important to visit a reputable salon that adheres to proper techniques and hygiene practices. It is also recommended to take breaks between manicures and pedicures to allow your nails to breathe and recover.
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How to apply gel nail polish on toes
Gel nail polish can be applied to your toes, but there are some risks involved. Experts warn that gel pedicures can be detrimental to your nail health. The nail-buffing process before the gel polish is applied can lead to cracking or peeling nails. The longer you have the polish on your toenails, the less oxygen your toenails will receive, which can ultimately weaken your toenails. If you have the polish on too long, keratin granulation (white spots) will appear on the nails. Gel polish can also dry out your nails and cuticles, causing overall brittleness and leading to broken, peeled nails.
If you do choose to apply gel nail polish to your toes, it is recommended to use a green and clean gel polish to protect your nails and health. Green Flash™ gel polish is an alternative to traditional gel polish, with a formula that is up to 84% plant-based. It offers intense colour and a mirror shine for up to 10 days and can be removed at home without damaging your nails.
- Start with clean, dry feet. Sanitize your feet with soap and water and use a sanitizing gel.
- Cut your nails straight across, then use an emery board to round the corners slightly, creating a balanced shape.
- Use a nail priming emery board to lightly buff the surface of your nails, which will help the gel polish to adhere. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can damage your nails.
- Push back your cuticles using a stainless steel cuticle pusher, without necessarily cutting them, for a neat nail contour. Remove any excess tissue from the nail plates and gently remove the shine.
- Apply a protective base coat to prepare your nails for the colour to come. A base coat is vital to achieving a flawless finish. Apply a thin layer of Green Flash™ Base Coat, then dry it under a lamp for 1-2 minutes, depending on the lamp you are using.
- Apply one or two coats of gel polish, depending on the colour intensity desired. Work quickly, then get your toes under the UV lamp as soon as possible to cure the gel. Avoid touching the skin or cuticle with the gel, and wipe away any gel that comes into contact with the skin using alcohol.
- Fully cure the gel base coat. The UV light will not be able to penetrate most systems' colour gel layers once applied.
- You may need to sculpt or apply tips to your toenails to achieve the desired shape and length.
- Apply a top coat and seal everything with a final coat of gel. Carefully cap the free edges of the nails with the final coat of gel.
- Finish by massaging a small amount of botanical cream into your feet to deeply nourish them.
It is important to note that you should not permanently wear nail polish on your toes. Allow your nails to breathe by taking breaks between manicures and pedicures. It is recommended that you do not leave gel polish on your toes for longer than three weeks.
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How to remove gel nail polish from toes
While gel nail polish can be applied to toenails, it can have negative effects on nail health. The application of gel nail polish involves buffing the nails, which can lead to cracking or peeling nails. The longer the polish remains on the toenails, the less oxygen they receive, which can weaken them. This can cause overall brittleness and lead the toenails to break or peel.
To remove gel nail polish from your toenails, you can follow these steps:
File down the polish to create chips
Firstly, use a nail file to file down the gel polish. This will help to create chips in the polish, making it easier to remove.
Soak a small piece of cotton with acetone
Next, cut a small piece of cotton to a size that fits your toenail. Soak this piece of cotton with acetone, which will help to remove the gel polish.
Place the cotton on the nail and wrap with plastic food wrap or foil
Place the soaked cotton on top of the nail and wrap it with either plastic food wrap or foil. This will help to keep the acetone in place and prevent it from dripping.
Wait for a few minutes
Leave the cotton and wrapping on your nail for a few minutes. This will allow the acetone to break down the gel polish, making it easier to remove.
Remove the wrapping and scrape off the gel polish
After waiting a few minutes, remove the plastic wrap or foil and use a scraper tool to gently scrape off the gel polish. It should come off easily, but if there are any remaining bits of polish, you can use a washcloth run under warm water to gently rub them off.
Wash your feet and apply cuticle cream
Finally, wash your feet with gentle soap and water to remove any remaining acetone. Apply a cuticle cream or oil, such as cuticle oil or olive oil, to keep your nails hydrated and help them recover from any damage.
It is important to note that removing gel nail polish can be damaging to your nails. To avoid further damage, it is recommended to visit a nail salon for professional removal. Additionally, it is suggested to take breaks between manicures and pedicures to allow your nails to breathe and recover.
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Risks and injuries associated with gel nail polish on toes
While gel nail polish can be applied to toenails, there are several risks and potential injuries associated with its use.
The use of UV light during the curing process of gel pedicures can increase the risk of developing a pyogenic granuloma, a benign vascular tumour that appears as a red, raised, and bleeding bump on or near the nail. This is caused by chronic irritation or trauma to the nail bed, and the UV light exposure can also lead to skin ageing and DNA damage, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Gel pedicures can also cause bacterial skin infections such as cellulitis if the skin is broken during the process. If the tools used are not adequately sterilised or if the skin around the nails is nicked or cut, bacteria can enter and cause an infection, resulting in redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.
Soaking the feet in warm water during a gel pedicure can soften the skin, making it more prone to injury. If excessive force or pressure is applied during the pedicure, it can even lead to a toe fracture.
The harsh chemicals and rough nail preparation techniques used in gel pedicures can also increase the risk of developing conditions such as bone infections, especially in individuals with diabetes who already have poor blood circulation and nerve damage in the feet.
Additionally, the removal process of gel polish can be damaging to the nails, causing severe brittleness, dryness, and peeling. This can further lead to an overall weakening of the nail plate, with people reporting white spots and grooves on their nails.
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Alternatives to gel nail polish for toes
While gel nail polish is suitable for toenails, it is recommended that you take a break between manicures to let your nails breathe. In addition, the constant usage of gel nail polish could lead to skin cancer, and the exposure can lead to premature skin aging.
- Regular nail polish: This is a good alternative if you are looking for something that is healthier for your nails. Regular nail polish does not last as long as gel polish, but it can be a good option if you are looking for something less damaging to your nails.
- Dip powder: Dip powder is another alternative to gel nail polish. It is important to note that dip powder can still damage your nails, but it is a better option than gel nails.
- BIAB nails: BIAB stands for Builder in a Bottle. It is a type of gel manicure that is a middle ground between gel and shellac. It hardens under a UV lamp and has a primer and bonding agent integrated into one bottle.
- Stickers: These are not technically a polish, but they are easy to use and come in various fun designs. You can clean your nails, find the right size sticker for your nail bed, press it down, and then strip away any excess.
- Green Flash™: This is a green and clean alternative to traditional gel polish. It is plant-based and can be removed like regular nail polish without damaging your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gel polish is suitable for toenails. However, it is important to note that gel pedicures can cause nail breakage, cracking, peeling, and weakening. The nail can also become brittle, and dehydrated. It is recommended to take breaks between salon visits to allow nails to recover.
It is not recommended to keep gel nail polish on your toenails for longer than 3 weeks. This is to allow the nail to breathe and to avoid the appearance of keratin granulation (white spots) on the nails.
The removal process for gel nail polish can be damaging to the nail. It often involves filing the polish to create chips, then soaking a small piece of cotton with acetone and placing it on the nail before wrapping the toenails in foil. Lastly, the gel polish is scraped off using a scraper tool. It is important to note that peeling off gel polish can cause further damage to the nail.
