Liam Carter
Gel manicures are a great way to add durability and protection to your nails, but they can also be harsh on your natural nails. The process of getting gel nails involves filing the nail's surface, using harsh chemicals, exposure to curing lights, and soaking in acetone for removal, all of which can lead to nail damage. To keep your gel nails from breaking, it is important to take care of your nails before, during, and after your manicure. This includes making sure your manicurist is using sterilized tools, avoiding cuticle cutting, and wearing sunscreen to protect your hands from UV radiation. In between gel manicures, it is recommended to take a break from polish to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate. Additionally, maintaining a nail care routine, including moisturizing and protecting your nails, can help prevent breakage.
How to keep gel nails from breaking
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Space out manicures | Avoid getting back-to-back gel manicures or leaving gel polish on for more than two weeks |
| Use acetone alternatives | Use acetone-free nail polish to avoid drying out your nails |
| Apply cuticle oil | Apply oil or hydrating lotion to nails after using acetone to prevent them from getting brittle and breaking |
| Take a break from nail polish | Nails need time to recover from polish, gel, and acrylic. Give them a break for one to two weeks or longer |
| Keep nails moisturized | Apply hand cream or cuticle oil to nails regularly to prevent dryness and breakage |
| Nail-friendly diet | Consume foods rich in biotin, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, good fats, carbohydrates, and protein |
| Avoid harsh chemicals | Avoid harsh chemicals in nail polish removers and cleaning products that can weaken your nails |
| Use nail strengtheners | Apply a keratin-based strengthener or serum to nails to prevent breakage |
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What You'll Learn
Take a break from polish
Taking a break from nail polish can be beneficial for the health of your nails. While nails do not actually "breathe", giving them a vacation from polish, gel, and acrylic can help them recover. Constantly changing nail polish, especially with an acetone nail polish remover, can lead to peeling, drying, and brittleness. Leaving nail polish on for too long can also cause nail discolouration and keratin granulation.
To keep your nails healthy, it is recommended to not wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails time to repair. In addition, you can apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily to minimise brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.
If you are removing gel nails, only pure acetone is strong enough to dissolve the artificial layer. Make sure to use oil or another hydrating lotion afterward to prevent your nails from getting brittle and breaking. You can also try a gentler alternative, such as a non-damaging press-on nail, or a long-wearing nail polish formula that does not contain harsh chemicals.
To promote nail strength and growth, it is important to maintain a nail care routine and a nail-friendly diet. You can use a good quality hand cream or cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated. Incorporate foods rich in biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids into your meals, such as eggs, nuts, avocados, and salmon.
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Moisturise nails
Moisturising your nails is an important step in maintaining their health and preventing breakage. Dry nails are more prone to breakage, so it is essential to keep them hydrated.
You can use a good quality hand cream or cuticle oil to moisturise your nails regularly. When applying hand cream, ensure that you rub it onto your nails and cuticles, not just your skin. Cuticle oil is an excellent way to keep your cuticles and skin moisturised, but it is important to avoid applying it directly to your nails.
Additionally, you can use a nail strengthener or serum to provide extra hydration and protection to your nails. These products can be applied whenever you notice damage to your nails, such as splitting or breakage.
It is also worth noting that your diet plays a significant role in the health of your nails. Consuming foods rich in vitamins and healthy fats can promote nail strength and growth. Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, iron, good fats, carbohydrates, and protein are essential for nail health.
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Eat nail-friendly foods
Eating the right foods can help improve your nail health and prevent gel nails from breaking. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, vitamins A, E, and D, iron, good fats, carbohydrates, and protein all play a key role in the integumentary system, which includes the nails.
- Vitamin A: Cooked yellow vegetables, liver or liver oil, and cooked leafy greens are great sources of vitamin A, which is important for nail health.
- Vitamin E: Incorporate foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts and salmon, into your diet. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your nails from damage and promote their growth.
- Biotin: This B vitamin is one of the most recommended supplements for strengthening nails. It is found in eggs, nuts, and avocados.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon and avocados are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy nails.
- Collagen: As an essential protein for hair, skin, and nails, ingestible collagen peptides can be easily incorporated into your daily routine to promote nail health and strength.
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Avoid harsh chemicals
When it comes to gel nails, it's important to be mindful of the products you use to avoid harsh chemicals that can weaken your nails and lead to breakage.
Firstly, acetone, a common chemical used in nail polish removers, can be extremely drying to the nail bed, causing nails to break or become brittle over time. If you have gel nails, it's important to note that only pure acetone is strong enough to dissolve the artificial layer. However, this can be very damaging to your natural nails, so it is recommended to use acetone-free nail polish whenever possible. If you must use acetone, be sure to use oil or a hydrating lotion afterward to prevent your nails from becoming brittle.
Additionally, the process of applying and removing gel nail polish can expose your nails to a variety of harsh chemicals and curing lights, which can cause wear and tear. It is crucial to space out your manicures and give your nails downtime between gel applications. During this downtime, you can apply a nail strengthener or serum to help repair any damage and promote nail growth.
To avoid the negative effects of harsh chemicals, consider opting for gentler alternatives. For example, Biosculpture and BIAB manicures are applied directly onto your natural nails and are free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. You can also look for long-wearing nail polish formulas that are "7-free," meaning they do not contain many of the harsh chemicals typically found in nail polishes.
Finally, be mindful of your exposure to other chemicals that can impact your nail health. For instance, if you frequently wash dishes or swim, your nails may become dry and brittle due to the constant wetting and drying. In such cases, it is essential to prioritize proper nail hydration and care.
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Use acetone alternatives
While acetone is a common ingredient in nail polish removers, it can be extremely drying to the nail bed, causing nails to break or become brittle over time. To prevent this, you can opt for acetone-free nail polish removers, which are gentler on your nails. These alternatives usually contain ingredients such as ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and propylene carbonate, which are effective in removing nail polish without the same drying effects as acetone. Additionally, always remember to use a hydrating product, such as cuticle oil, after removing nail polish to nourish and protect your nails.
If you have gel nails, however, it's important to note that acetone-free nail polish removers may not be strong enough to remove them. In this case, you can try soaking your nails in an acetone alternative, such as acetone-free nail polish remover, followed by a nourishing oil or hydrating lotion to counteract the drying effects of acetone. Look for products that are specifically designed to be gentle on the nails and cuticles, as these will help maintain nail health.
Another way to reduce your exposure to acetone is to limit how often you get gel manicures. Giving your nails a break between manicures will allow them to recover and strengthen. During this break, you can apply a nail strengthener or serum to promote healthy nail growth and prevent breakage. You can also try a nail-friendly diet, incorporating foods rich in biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as eggs, nuts, avocados, and salmon, to promote nail strength and growth from within.
In addition to acetone alternatives, you can further protect your nails by choosing gel nail polishes that are free from harmful chemicals. Formaldehyde, for example, is a common ingredient in gel polishes that can be damaging to your nails. Opting for gel polishes that are formaldehyde-free will reduce the chemical exposure of your nails, contributing to their overall health and strength.
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Frequently asked questions
Give your nails a break from polish and gel to allow them to recover. You can also apply a nail strengthener to help them grow strong and prevent breakage.
Space out your manicures and avoid getting back-to-back gel manicures. Give your nails downtime between gels to prevent nail dehydration and eventual breakage.
You can take supplements like collagen, ingestible collagen peptides, or biotin to strengthen your nails from the inside out.
Incorporate foods rich in biotin, vitamin E, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. These include eggs, nuts, avocados, salmon, and cooked yellow vegetables.
Soak your nails in an acetone solution instead of picking, peeling, or pulling the gel nails off. Apply oil or a hydrating lotion afterward to prevent your nails from getting brittle and breaking.
