Ava Monroe
There is a common misconception that nails need to breathe between manicures. Nails do not have lungs, so they do not breathe or need to breathe. The nail plate that comes out of the cuticle is a dead, hardened layer and is only alive underneath in an area called the nail matrix. Nails receive their nourishment from the blood vessels under the skin, so they do not need contact with the outside oxygen. However, taking breaks between manicures is still necessary to give your body a chance to repair and regenerate the nail and its surrounding skin. The length of the break depends on the product used and the condition of the nails. If you notice that your nails are not smooth, have lost their colour, or become weak, it is recommended to take a 3-4 week break. If your nails are in extremely bad condition, it is advised to take a few months off and then transition to non-toxic products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long nails should rest between manicures | 2-4 weeks or 3-4 weeks to avoid yellowing; 6 months for gel or acrylic manicures to grow out entirely |
| Why nails should rest between manicures | Nails do not need to "breathe" as they receive nourishment from blood vessels under the skin; however, breaks from polish are necessary to repair damage and prevent issues such as cracking, peeling, discolouration, and brittleness |
| How to care for nails between manicures | Keep nails hydrated, avoid picking or biting nails, use gloves when working with water, apply lotion or hand cream regularly, use non-toxic nail polish remover |
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What You'll Learn
Nails don't need to breathe
While some people believe that nails need to "breathe" between manicures, this is just a myth. Nails do not have lungs, so they cannot breathe. The nail plate that makes up the hard, polish-able area of your fingernails and toenails is made up of non-living keratin, which is incapable of breathing.
However, nails do require oxygen and nutrients for healthy cells, which they receive via blood through tiny blood vessels. Painting your nails does not interfere with this process, so wearing or not wearing polish is not a factor in your nail's ability to receive oxygen.
Despite this, it is still important to give your nails breaks from polish for other reasons. Leaving nail polish on for long periods can lead to a condition called keratin granulation, which celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi describes as rough, white patches on the nail that form when old polish is removed, taking superficial layers of the nail with it. Nail discoloration can also occur from pigments in polishes, so taking breaks from polish can help to reduce yellowing. Additionally, frequently removing nail polish with acetone nail polish remover can dry out the nail, causing it to crack, peel, separate and become brittle.
Therefore, while nails do not need to "breathe", they can benefit from occasional breaks from polish to maintain their health and appearance. During these breaks, you can focus on hydrating your nails and cuticles, gently pushing back your cuticles, and buffing your nails to boost their natural sheen.
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But they do need breaks from polish
While nails do not need to "breathe", they do need breaks from polish for several reasons. Firstly, frequent use of acetone nail polish remover can dry out the nail, causing it to crack, peel, separate and become brittle. This can also lead to a condition called keratin granulation, which celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi describes as rough, white patches that form when old polish is removed, taking superficial layers of the nail with it. Nail discolouration can also occur from pigments in polishes, so taking breaks from polish can help to reduce yellowing.
Additionally, the process of removing and prepping the nails for a new set of polish can be damaging. Vigorous scraping or excessive buffing can cause mechanical damage, while soaking nails in acetone for too long can lead to chemical damage, making them dry and brittle. In some cases, improper prep and removal can also cause nail discolouration. Therefore, it is recommended to be vigilant in finding a manicurist who is careful not to over-file or excessively buff the nails.
The type of polish used can also impact the health of your nails. Some traditional nail polishes contain toxic ingredients such as toluene and formaldehyde, which can cause flaking, chipping, and discolouration. These toxic chemicals can also lead to allergic contact dermatitis. On the other hand, breathable nail polishes are healthier as they do not contain these toxic ingredients. They allow water and oxygen to reach the nail surface, preventing water damage and keeping the nail cells together to prevent splitting and peeling.
The length of the break depends on the product used and the condition of your nails. If your nails are not smooth, have lost their colour, or become weak, it is recommended to take a 3-4 week break. However, if your nails are in extremely bad condition, consider taking a few months off and transitioning to non-toxic products that protect and strengthen the nails. During your break, it is important to keep your nails hydrated and avoid picking at your cuticles.
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Acetone removers can cause damage
While nails do not need to "breathe", they do need breaks in between manicures. One source recommends letting your nails grow out completely before your next gel or acrylic manicure, which usually takes about six months. Another source suggests taking breaks of two to three weeks between treatments.
Acetone removers can cause nails to dry out and become more brittle. Soaking nails in acetone for too long can lead to chemical damage. It can also cause troublesome irritant contact dermatitis, resulting in red, dry, itchy, and inflamed skin surrounding the nail, which can be painful and uncomfortable.
Acetone removers can also cause nail dryness and brittleness, and the skin around the nails to become red, dry, and flaky. The dehydration caused by acetone can lead to cracked and bleeding cuticles, which are then susceptible to infection.
To minimise damage, it is recommended to use a nail-strengthening product between manicures and to keep nails hydrated. It is also important to use acetone in a well-ventilated area and to avoid getting it on your skin.
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Non-toxic polishes are better
While nails do not need to "breathe", it is still recommended to give your nails a break from polish for a few weeks to cut down on yellowing. During this time, you can keep your nails hydrated and resist the urge to pick at your cuticles.
Non-toxic polishes with even more ingredients omitted are also available. For example, 5-free polishes do not include camphor and formaldehyde resin on top of the 3-free formula, and 7-free polishes further exclude xylene and triphenyl phosphate. Some polishes are even 10-free, which some sources claim means they are free of animal products and are vegan, while others say it denotes the absence of gluten.
There are many non-toxic nail polish brands on the market, such as Dazzle Dry, which is free of common toxic offenders, dries within 5 minutes, and lasts for 7-10 days. Pacifica's polish is another option, which is vegan and free of 16 toxins. It has great coverage and lasts almost a week, although some reviewers found it to be thin and runny. Sundays also offer a 10-free polish that is vegan and easy to apply.
In addition to being better for your health, non-toxic polishes are also better for the environment. Conventional nail polishes are considered household hazardous waste by the EPA due to their toxic chemical content.
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Signs of damage: peeling, ridges, discolouration
While some sources suggest that back-to-back manicures are good for your nails, it is important to be aware of the signs of nail damage. Peeling, ridges, and discolouration can indicate trauma or an underlying condition.
Peeling
Peeling nails can be caused by external trauma, such as scraping off nail coatings, or by too little or too much moisture. Repeatedly getting your nails wet and then drying them can cause brittle, soft, or thin nails that are prone to splitting. In rare cases, peeling nails can indicate an internal cause, such as an iron deficiency or another underlying illness. If both your fingernails and toenails are peeling, this is more likely to be the result of an internal cause.
Ridges
Pitting or dents in your nails can be a sign of a disease that affects your entire body. Nail psoriasis, for example, can cause nail denting or crumbling. Onychogryphosis is another condition that causes the nail to become overgrown and thick, often affecting the big toe.
Discolouration
Yellow nails can be caused by wearing red nail polish without a base coat or by smoking. If your nails turn yellow, thicken, and seem to stop growing, this could indicate something more serious going on inside your body. Dark streaks on the nails could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. White discolouration can occur when the nail starts to lift up and is no longer completely attached.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails do not need to "breathe" as they receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood supply and not the air. However, it is recommended to take breaks between manicures to prevent damage from excessive buffing, improper prep and removal, and the use of toxic chemicals.
The frequency of manicures depends on the condition of your nails. If your nails are healthy, you may be able to maintain weekly manicures. However, if your nails are damaged, it is recommended to take a break of 3-4 weeks or a few months to allow them to recover.
Some signs that indicate your nails need a rest include keratin granulation (white patches on the nail surface), peeling, ridges, splits, discolouration, and dehydrated cuticles.
To maintain healthy nails between manicures, it is recommended to keep your nails hydrated, avoid picking or biting them, and use gloves when working with water. Applying lotion or hand cream regularly can also help keep your nails and cuticles moisturized.
