Isla Bennett
Getting a gel manicure can be a great way to ensure long-lasting, beautiful nails. However, repeated use can cause nail brittleness, peeling, cracking, and discolouration. To brighten gel nails, you can soak them in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda, or water and tea tree oil. You can also buff your nails, and add a top coat to renew the top layer. For tough stains, you can spray your nails with hairspray, or rub them with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover or alcohol. To keep your nails healthy, it is recommended to take breaks from gel manicures, and to rehydrate your nails with a moisturising product.
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What You'll Learn
Soak nails in lemon juice and baking soda
To brighten gel nails, you can soak your nails in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. This method helps remove any nail discolouration. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Firstly, prepare the solution by mixing a few teaspoons of water with an equal part of baking soda. Next, squeeze around 10 drops of lemon juice into the solution and mix. The solution will start to bubble. You can also add a quarter cup of olive oil to the mixture, as the natural vitamins and moisture from the olive oil will help strengthen your nails.
Before soaking your nails, ensure that you have removed any residual nail polish or false nails. Then, soak your nails in the solution for around 10 minutes. If you don't have time for a full soak, you can sweep a lemon peel over your nails, focusing extra attention on your cuticles.
After soaking your nails, you can use the solution to gently rub your nails with a soft toothbrush. The baking soda acts as a gentle exfoliator, providing added cleaning and whitening power. Wash your nails with gentle soap after soaking, and gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher.
You can repeat this process for a few days in a row if your nails need extra whitening. This method is a great, natural way to brighten your gel nails and remove any stains.
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Buff nails
Buffing your nails can be a great way to brighten your gel nails and make them look and feel healthier. It is the act of polishing the nail using buffers of finer grit to make nails look more consistent and
Nail buffer blocks have multiple benefits and typically have four sides: file, buff, polish and shine. They are usually numbered, so you know which side to use for each step. If they are not numbered, start with the most coarse side first and finish with the smooth one.
If you are buffing your natural nails, you can use the most coarse side of your nail buffer block to file the tops and sides of your nails to your desired length and shape. Remember, never file back and forth, as this can damage the nail. When buffing, only 5% of the nail plate thickness should be removed. You can then use the buffing side and hold it parallel to your nail, stroking it across each nail in an X shape. Do not buff side-to-side, as this can dry out your nails and cause damage.
If you are buffing gel nails, it is important to note that you should not use a buffer at all if you are applying gel, as you need a slightly rough surface for the gel to bond to the nail plate properly. However, you can buff your nails to brighten them if they already have gel on them.
Buffing should not be performed too often or too strongly, as this can lead to thinning of the nail and even infection. Stick to buffing your nails around once a month. When you are finished, rub a little cuticle oil into your nails to nourish and moisturise them.
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Rehydrate nails with petroleum jelly
Rehydrating your nails with petroleum jelly is a great way to strengthen your nails and prevent them from becoming brittle.
To start, wash your hands thoroughly. This will ensure that you're working with clean nails and hands, removing any dirt or grime. Next, grab your favourite cuticle oil and apply it generously all over your nails, including the surrounding cuticle and skin. Cuticle oil will help to add moisture back into your nails and promote healthier and stronger nail growth. Once you've applied the cuticle oil, it's time to move on to the slugging portion of the treatment.
Take your petroleum jelly and apply a thick coat to each nail, covering them completely. Petroleum jelly is an occlusive moisturizer, which means it creates a barrier that seals in moisture and prevents moisture loss. This step will ensure that the cuticle oil penetrates deeper into your nails. For optimal results, it is recommended to leave the petroleum jelly on for at least 15 to 30 minutes. However, if you can, leaving it on overnight will provide the best results. If you're doing this treatment before bed, you can simply let it soak in while you sleep, and wake up to refreshed and rejuvenated nails.
To enhance the treatment's effectiveness, consider wearing finger gloves or regular gloves to lock in the moisture. This will not only keep the petroleum jelly from rubbing off but also provide an extra layer of protection and ensure deep conditioning for your nails.
By following these simple steps, you can effectively rehydrate and strengthen your nails using petroleum jelly. Not only is it an inexpensive option, but it's also easily accessible at most drugstores. So, the next time your nails need a little extra TLC, give them a hydrating boost with this simple at-home remedy.
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Avoid harsh gel polish removal
To brighten gel nails, you can soak them in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to remove any discolouration, and then buff your nails. You can also add a top coat to renew a dingy top layer.
Gel manicures can be tough on nails, causing brittleness, peeling, and cracking. To keep your nails healthy, it is important to avoid harsh gel polish removal. Here are some tips to help you remove gel polish safely and effectively:
- Take a break from gel manicures: Give your nails a break from gel polish by taking a nail polish holiday. Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails to repair and restore moisture.
- Rehydrate your nails: Apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and prevent chipping.
- Use a gentle nail polish remover: Choose an acetone-free nail polish remover that won't dehydrate your nails. Soak a cotton ball in the remover or rubbing alcohol, and then lightly dab at the stain or mark on the gel nail. Be careful not to rub too vigorously to avoid removing the gel colour.
- Soak your nails: Fill a bowl with water and add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil. Soak your gel nails in the mixture for at least 5 minutes to help remove stains naturally.
- Be proactive with your manicurist: Before getting a gel manicure, ask your manicurist if their tools are sterilised and cleaned after each client. Also, ensure they do not push or cut your cuticles, as this can lead to inflammation and infection.
- Protect your hands: Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before a gel manicure to prevent skin cancer and premature skin ageing caused by ultraviolet radiation.
- Visit a dermatologist: If you notice any unusual changes to your nails or have persistent nail problems, consider seeing a board-certified dermatologist for advice and treatment.
By following these tips, you can safely remove gel nail polish and maintain the health and brightness of your nails.
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Take a break from polish
While gel manicures can give you shiny nails, they can lead to dry and brittle nails in the long run. Therefore, it is important to take a break from polish every now and then.
Firstly, if you are noticing white smudges or patches on your natural nails, this may be a condition called keratin granulation. This occurs when your nails are severely dehydrated and suffering from the chemicals found in nail polish. It can also be caused by using acetone nail polish remover, as the superficial layers of your nail cells can accidentally get removed. To get rid of keratin granulation, keep your nails moisturised at all times. Cuticle oil is a great way to keep your nail hydration topped up. Just squeeze a drop onto each nail and massage it into the nail plate and the surrounding skin. The massaging movement will also help boost circulation and promote healthy cell growth.
Secondly, if your nails are easily splitting, peeling or generally weak, you should take a break from polish. Many polishes contain harsh chemicals that can negatively affect your natural nail plate if used constantly. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic polishes. Additionally, ensure that you always apply a clear base coat as it acts as a protective barrier between the polish and your natural nail plate.
Thirdly, discoloured nails are a sign that you need to take a break from polish. Dark or deeply pigmented nail polishes can cause staining on your natural nail underneath. Excessive polish use can also turn your nail a yellowish colour. To fix this, you can soak your nails in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to remove any discolouration. You can also buff your nails gently with a fine-grit buffer to remove some of the yellowing.
Lastly, if your nails are bendy and susceptible to breakage, you should take a break from polish. This is because frequent contact with acetone can cause your nails to lose their durability. Similarly, excess exposure to water can lead to thin nails, so it is important to wear gloves while washing dishes or doing other activities that involve water.
In conclusion, taking a break from polish every three or four weeks is important to help your nails restore and build back some strength. During this break, keep your nails hydrated and resist the urge to pick at your cuticles.
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Frequently asked questions
Soak your nails in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to remove any discolouration. You can also use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to wipe away fresh marks, but be careful not to rub too vigorously so that you don't remove the gel colour.
If you paint your nails regularly, the yellowing is probably due to a combination of the polish and the removal process. To prevent discolouration, try to avoid dark colours like black, red, and navy. You should also take breaks from painting your nails to let them breathe.
To keep your nails healthy between gel manicures, dermatologists recommend taking a break from nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. You should also apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and prevent chipping.
Apply sunscreen to your nails and cuticles to protect them from harmful UV rays, preventing colour fading and yellowing. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, and remember to reapply every couple of hours or after swimming.
