Caleb Foster
Gel nail polish is a popular choice for those wanting a long-lasting manicure, but it's important to take steps to ensure the health of your nails. While gel nail polish itself doesn't damage your nails, improper application and removal techniques can lead to issues. To keep your nails healthy and strong, it's crucial to follow proper procedures and practice good nail care. Here are some tips to help you maintain the health of your nails while enjoying the benefits of gel nail polish.
How to keep gel polish from ruining your nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use the complete system | Base Coat, Builder Gel, Colour Coat, Top Coat, and UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp |
| Use the same brand | Skipping steps or mixing products from different brands may affect the curing process |
| Use Builder Gel | Adds strength and thickness, creating a hard, protective layer that decreases flexibility and supports nail growth |
| Use the E-File Pen correctly | Use at the appropriate speed and direction, and limit use to manicures that include Builder Gel |
| Be patient when removing gel nail polish | Use the Gelous Removal Tool or Orangewood Cuticle Sticks to gently lift and remove the polish |
| Don't pick gel nail polish | When the colour begins to come off, don't pick at the polish or use other nails or tools to remove it |
| Wear sunscreen | Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands to prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging |
| Rehydrate your nails | 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 |
| Give your nails downtime between gels | Space out your manicures to prevent nail dehydration and eventual breakage |
| Don't cut your cuticles | Your cuticle is your body's natural barrier to protect your nail from infection |
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What You'll Learn
Use the correct products and application techniques
When it comes to gel manicures, it's important to use the correct products and application techniques to keep your nails healthy.
Firstly, it's recommended to use a complete gel manicure system, such as the Gelous system, which includes a Base Coat, Builder Gel, Colour Coat, and Top Coat, as well as a UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp. Using a full system like this ensures proper curing, and sticking to one brand helps avoid issues like irritations and allergies. The Builder Gel, in particular, can add strength and thickness to your manicure, creating a protective layer that supports nail growth.
If you're removing gel polish yourself, it's important to be gentle and patient. You can start by gently filing the top of the polish to remove the shine, which will help the acetone penetrate and dissolve the gel more easily. Then, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin to protect them from the acetone. Soak cotton balls in acetone, cut them to the size of your nails, and place them on your nails. Wrap your nails with aluminium foil to keep the cotton balls in place and prevent dripping. Leave this on for around 10 minutes, then gently remove the wrap and any remaining polish with a washcloth and warm water. Be careful not to rub the surrounding skin. Finally, wash your hands with gentle soap and water to remove any remaining acetone.
It's important to note that acetone can be drying and irritating to the nail bed, so it's recommended to keep your nails and cuticles well-hydrated with cuticle oil or petroleum jelly. You can also rehydrate your nails between polishes by applying a moisturising product several times a day.
Additionally, dermatologists recommend taking breaks between gel manicures to give your nails a rest. This helps prevent nail dehydration and allows any damage to grow out. If you notice issues like chipping, peeling, dryness, or thinning, it may be time to take a break from gel polish for a few weeks to a month.
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Protect your skin from UV radiation
While gel nail polish is a great way to ensure long-lasting manicures, the UV or LED lights used to cure the polish emit UV radiation, which has been linked to premature skin ageing and skin cancer. Here are some tips to protect your skin from UV radiation during the gel manicure process:
- Apply sunscreen: To protect your skin from UV radiation, dermatologists recommend applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before your gel manicure. This simple step can help prevent skin cancer and premature skin ageing caused by UV exposure.
- Use protective gloves: Consider purchasing UV-protective fingerless gloves, which expose your nail beds while shielding the rest of your hands from UV light. This way, you can protect your skin while still enjoying the benefits of gel nail polish.
- Be mindful of the curing process: The UV radiation from the curing lamps is a primary concern for dermatologists. If possible, limit your exposure to the lamps by following the recommended curing times and avoiding excessive use.
- Maintain healthy cuticles: Your cuticles serve as a natural barrier to protect your nails from infection. Avoid cutting or pushing your cuticles, as this can lead to inflammation and infection. Instead, moisturise your cuticles and apply cuticle oil daily to keep them healthy and strong.
- Space out your manicures: Giving your nails some downtime between gel manicures can help prevent dehydration and breakage. Consider taking a break of at least two weeks to a month between gel manicures to allow your nails to recover and promote healthy growth.
By following these steps, you can enjoy the benefits of gel nail polish while minimising the potential risks associated with UV radiation exposure. Remember, it is essential to care for your nails properly and choose the right products to maintain their strength and health.
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Don't cut or push your cuticles
While it may be tempting to cut or push your cuticles, especially when getting a gel manicure, it is best to avoid doing so. The purpose of your cuticles is to protect and shield your newly growing nails, so removing them can leave your nail roots exposed to bacteria and germs, which can cause infection.
If you must push your cuticles, it is best to leave this to a professional manicurist. They will have the correct tools and techniques to push back your cuticles without causing damage or pain. It is important to be proactive and ask your manicurist if their tools are sterilized and to ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting their tools after every client.
You can also tend to your cuticles at home by establishing a good routine. Wash and dry your hands, then remove any polish with an acetone-free nail polish remover and a cotton ball. Soak your nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes to soften your cuticles and make them easier to push back. Apply a drop of cuticle removing gel to your cuticles and allow it to soak in. Then, with your hand placed on a steady surface, gently push back the overgrown skin around the nail with a cuticle stick or pusher. Be careful not to push nail varnish chips into the cuticle bed, as this can also cause infections.
To keep your cuticles healthy, be sure to moisturize them daily with a moisturizer or cuticle oil. This will prevent any splitting or cracking and keep your cuticles looking their best.
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Remove gel polish safely
The safest way to remove gel polish is to have it done by a professional manicurist. However, if you are removing gel nail polish at home, there are several methods you can use to ensure you do it safely.
Firstly, it is important to note that you should never pick or file off gel nail polish, as this can significantly damage your nails and cause white spots. Instead, soak cotton balls in acetone and apply them directly to your nail bed, ensuring the cotton doesn't touch the surrounding skin as this will be irritating and very drying. You can then wrap your nails in tin foil or plastic food wrap to keep the cotton balls in place and stop the acetone from evaporating. Leave the wraps on for 10-15 minutes, and then gently push the gel off of the nail plates with a wooden cuticle pusher or orangewood stick. If any gel remains, gently rub your nails with a washcloth that has been run under warm water.
Another method is to use the Gelous E-File Pen, which is a tool specifically designed for removing gel polish. However, it is important to use this tool correctly and only on nails with Builder Gel, as using it directly on natural nails can cause damage or thinning.
To prevent irritation caused by the acetone, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin. You should also make sure to wash your hands with gentle soap and water after removing the gel polish to get rid of any remaining acetone.
It is recommended that you give your nails a break between gel manicures to prevent damage. You can rehydrate your nails by applying a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and help prevent chipping.
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Give your nails a break between manicures
While it is a common misconception that nails require periods of nakedness to stay healthy, it is true that constantly wearing nail polish without giving your nails a break can lead to issues like dehydration and weakening. Therefore, it is important to occasionally leave your nails bare.
Firstly, it is important to note that your nails do not need to "breathe". Nails derive oxygen and nutrients from the blood supply and not the air. However, it is critical to take breaks in between manicures. According to nail artist Elle, you should be vigilant in finding a manicurist who is careful not to excessively buff nails. Signs of excessive buffing include feeling extreme heat or pain.
Secondly, it is important to never pick or peel off your polish when you think it’s time for it to come off, as this can cause damage to the surface of your nails. You can inadvertently remove the superficial nail cells, resulting in keratin granulations. Instead, make an appointment with your manicurist to have the polish removed. Only soak your fingertips in acetone. When having the nail polish removed, only soak your fingertips in acetone instead of your whole hands or fingers to protect the surrounding skin. Another option is to use cotton balls to remove the polish. Soak the cotton balls in acetone and apply them to your nails by wrapping small pieces of aluminum foil around your fingertips. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come right off.
Thirdly, it is important to rehydrate your nails. Between polishes, apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily. This will minimize brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.
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Frequently asked questions
To remove gel nail polish, first, gently file the top of the polish to remove the shine. Then, soak cotton balls in acetone and apply them directly to the nail bed. Wrap your nails with aluminium foil or plastic food wrap to keep the cotton balls in place and to keep the acetone from evaporating. After 10 to 15 minutes, the polish should come off easily.
To prevent damage to your nails, do not pick, file, or scrape off the gel nail polish. This can cause injury to your nails and cause white spots. Instead, be patient and give the acetone time to work.
To prevent damage to your nails when applying gel nail polish, make sure to use the correct products and application techniques. Using the full Gelous system is a simple way to ensure proper curing. Skipping steps or mixing products from different brands may affect the curing process, which could lead to issues like irritations and allergies.
To care for your nails in between gel manicures, dermatologists recommend taking a break from polish. 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.
To protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before your appointment.
