Ava Monroe
Gel manicures can be a fun way to switch up your look, but they can also cause dry, brittle nails. The key to nail care post-gel manicure is to moisturize and strengthen your nails. Cuticle oils can be used to deliver vitamins and nourishment, and hand creams can be used to lock in moisture. It is also important to note that most damage occurs during the removal process, so it is best to avoid picking or peeling off your gels.
How to care for nails after gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removal process | Do not pick, peel or scrape off the gel nails. Use a nail file to break the seal of the gel, then apply a cotton ball soaked in pure acetone. |
| Nail damage | Nails can become dry, thin, brittle, and prone to snagging and breaking. |
| Recovery time | It can take between three to six months for nails to completely recover and grow out. |
| Treatment | Use a ridge filler to smooth the appearance of nails. Apply cuticle oil and hand cream to moisturize and hydrate the nails. |
| Prevention | Keep nails short and natural for a few days after removing gel nails. Use a nail strengthener as a base coat. |
| Diet | Incorporate biotin-rich and collagen-synthesizing foods, such as salmon, avocados, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid picking or peeling off gel nails
When it comes to gel nails, it's important to remember that picking or peeling them off is not a good idea. This is because your nails are made up of about 25 layers of keratinized skin cells, and peeling off gels will take off those top protective layers, causing the nail to become thinner, weaker, and uneven.
As celebrity manicurist Geraldine Holford says, "Picking off gel is probably the worst thing you can do to your nails." In the short term, peeling off a gel manicure harms the nail plate since you're also peeling off the top layers of your nail. The long-term effects are thinning of the nails, harm to the nail bed, and irregularities on the nail plate and in growth patterns. Even if you soak your nails to remove the polish, you can still damage your nails if they are not soaked for long enough or if the topcoat barrier is not broken, prohibiting the removal from reaching all the gel layers.
Instead of picking or peeling, the correct way to remove gels is to first break the seal of the gel with a nail file, then apply a cotton ball soaked in pure acetone to the nails. Secure the cotton in place with foil and after about 10 minutes, the gel should flake off with the help of a nail file.
To strengthen your nails after gels, you can use a nail strengthener or a ridge filler to smooth their appearance. Cuticle oil and hand cream will also help to rehydrate your nails, making them less prone to damage.
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Use a ridge filler to smooth nails
If you've had a gel manicure, you might be left with nails that are prone to snagging and breaking, as well as being thin, dry, brittle, and fragile. To help smooth the appearance of your nails, you can use a ridge filler. This will fill in any pores or fine lines, much like a makeup primer does before foundation.
You can also lightly run a buffer over any uneven edges or ridges to smooth them out and prevent further peeling. It's important to note that longer nails are more prone to breaking, so keeping your nails short will help them to stay strong while they recover.
To promote healthy nail growth, you can use a nail strengthener, which is a type of base coat that deeply heals and hardens damaged nails. You can also try a keratin treatment, as keratin is a natural protein that forms the building blocks of nails. Using a nail strengthener with a protein-enriched base and a top coat designed to strengthen nails will encourage healthy growth.
Additionally, you can use cuticle oil to deliver vitamins and nourishment, followed by a hand cream to lock in moisture. Moisture loss is common after gel nail damage, so it's important to keep your nails hydrated.
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Moisturise with cuticle oil and hand cream
After removing your gel nails, it's important to focus on moisturising your nails to prevent them from becoming dry, brittle and fragile. Cuticle oil and hand cream can be used to deeply hydrate your nails and cuticles, which are prone to drying out quickly.
Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment to the nail, while hand cream locks in moisture. Moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage. Massage a few drops of cuticle oil into your nails and the skin around them several times a day. Spend at least a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle. Then, seal in the moisture with a thick hand cream or salve. Oils absorb better into the nail beds, while creams create a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
It's also important to limit your nails' exposure to water, as too much moisture can cause polish to lift. Wear gloves when doing the dishes or other housework to protect your nails and extend the life of your manicure. You should also wear gloves when performing tasks that might be rough on your skin and nails, such as prying things open, as this can cause damage to the nail bed and surrounding areas.
If your nails are feeling brittle, consider filing them as an extra-gentle method of trimming. This can help to smooth edges and prevent snagging on clothing or other materials.
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Take a break from polish
Taking a break from nail polish is a good way to give your nails time to recover after having gel nails. Nails can become dehydrated after having gel nails, so it's important to moisturise them. Cuticle oil is a great way to impart deep hydration, and it's important to focus on massaging it into the cuticle as well as the nail itself. This is where new, healthy nail growth will start, so it's important to nourish and hydrate this area. You can also soak your nails in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes every day.
It's also important to keep your nails short after removing gel polish. This is because longer nails are more prone to breaking, and it can take time for nails to recover from the damage caused by gel nails. Even if you're not prone to breakage, keeping your nails short will give them a chance to grow out stronger and healthier. If you do need to trim your nails, it's better to file them down gently rather than cutting them, as cutting can put strain on your nails and cause them to break. Filing your nails every two to four days can prevent breakage and snags.
If you can't bear the thought of bare nails, you can use a nail strengthener as a base coat, or look for a coloured polish that contains strengthening ingredients. You can also try a keratin treatment to strengthen your nails and prevent them from peeling, splitting, or breaking.
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File nails gently
Filing your nails is an important step in nail care after gel manicures. It is an extra-gentle method of trimming, which is recommended for brittle nails. Filing helps to smooth out any uneven edges or ridges, and prevents nails from snagging on clothing or other materials.
It is important to be gentle when filing your nails, especially if they are weak or brittle. Filing too aggressively can cause further damage and breakage. File your nails every two to four days to prevent breakage and snags. If you are experiencing peeling or flaking, gently file your nails to smooth out any ridges or uneven surfaces.
When filing, use a soft nail file or a buffer to gently smooth the surface of your nails. Avoid metal nail files, as these can be too harsh and cause further damage. Gently run the file or buffer over your nails in one direction, avoiding back-and-forth sawing motions that can weaken the nails.
If your nails are very damaged or brittle, consider using a ridge filler to help smooth out the appearance of your nails while they heal. This can be similar to how a makeup primer fills in pores or fine lines before foundation application.
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Frequently asked questions
First, it's important to note that gel manicures can cause nails to become dry, brittle, and thin. To care for your nails after removing gel nail polish, you should rehydrate them with cuticle oil and hand cream.
To safely remove gel nail polish, you should first break the seal of the gel with a nail file. Then, apply a cotton ball soaked in pure acetone to your nails, secure it with foil, and wait 10 minutes or more. The gel should then flake off with the help of a nail file. Avoid scraping with a metal cuticle pusher and always remember to break the seal of the gel before removal.
To strengthen your nails, you can use a nail strengthener or a nail-strengthening base coat. You can also try taking biotin supplements and eating biotin-rich and collagen-synthesizing foods such as salmon, avocados, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds.
It can take anywhere from three to six months for nails to fully recover and grow out after a gel manicure. During this time, you can use a ridge filler to smooth the appearance of your nails.
