Caleb Foster
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those wanting a high-shine, long-lasting manicure. However, it's important to care for your nails properly to keep them healthy. While gel polish itself doesn't damage nails, improper application and removal can lead to thin, weak, and brittle nails. To maintain nail health, it's recommended to use the correct products and techniques, practice good nail care, and seek professional advice when needed. This includes keeping nails dry and clean, moisturising regularly, and avoiding picking or peeling gel polish. With proper aftercare, gel nails can look fresh and healthy for extended periods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Avoid picking at your gel nails | When the color begins to come off, don’t pick at the polish or use other nails or tools to remove it |
| 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 |
| Take a nail polish holiday | Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails time to repair |
| Rehydrate your nails | Apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily |
| Use gloves | When you're washing dishes or cleaning, gloves are your best friends |
| Moisturize | Use a quality cuticle oil and slather on hand cream regularly |
| Be gentle | Treat your nails like jewels, not tools |
| Get gel manicures for special occasions only | Get gel manicures for special occasions only |
| Use proper application and removal techniques | Use proper application and removal techniques |
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What You'll Learn
Use cuticle oil or cream to prevent dehydration
Gel nail polish can cause dehydration, making your nails weak and brittle. This is because the polish blocks the natural oils in your skin from being absorbed. Therefore, it is important to use cuticle oil or cream to prevent dehydration.
A good nail technician will be able to advise you on how to keep your nails healthy and strong. They will also be able to spot early signs of trouble, such as infections or damage, and ensure your nails stay healthy under the glossy finish. They are the guardians of your nail health, so listen to their advice!
You can also take matters into your own hands by applying cuticle oil or cream to your nails daily. This will keep your nails flexible and tough, and help to prevent chipping. You can use a quality cuticle oil or hand cream, or a product such as petroleum jelly. However, when applying lotion or oil, avoid the nail surface and stick to the surrounding skin and cuticle area.
It is also important to be patient and gentle when removing gel nail polish. Rushing the process or being forceful can damage your nails. Follow the proper removal process as outlined in the Gelous Removal Guide, and use the Gelous Removal Tool or Orangewood Cuticle Sticks to gently lift and remove the polish.
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Avoid filing nails before application
Gel manicures can be a great way to get a high-shine, rock-hard nail finish that won't chip for weeks. However, it's important to care for your nails properly to keep them healthy. One key piece of advice is to avoid filing your nails before application.
Firstly, it's important to understand that gel nail polish itself doesn't damage your nails. However, improper application and removal techniques can harm your nails and lead to brittleness, thinning, and breakage. When filing your nails before a gel manicure, it's easy to overfile your nails, making them thinner and weaker. This can make them more susceptible to damage during the application and removal process.
Additionally, filing your nails too aggressively can disrupt the natural nail plate, causing it to become uneven. An uneven nail plate can lead to an uneven application of the gel polish, which can result in a higher chance of chipping and lifting. By avoiding filing before application, you allow the gel polish to adhere smoothly and evenly to your natural nail, reducing the risk of damage.
Moreover, filing your nails can cause micro-tears and weaken the nail structure. This can make your nails more prone to breakage and splitting, especially when the gel polish is removed. By skipping the filing step, you maintain the integrity of your natural nails and reduce the chances of nail damage.
Instead of filing, focus on maintaining healthy and strong nails through proper nail care. Keep your nails moisturized and hydrated by using cuticle oils and creams. This will help prevent brittleness and promote nail flexibility and toughness. Additionally, be gentle with your nails and avoid using them as tools, as this can also contribute to nail damage.
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Protect your hands with gloves when washing dishes or cleaning
If you want to keep your nails healthy under gel, it's important to care for them properly. While gel nail polish doesn't directly damage your nails, you should still follow these steps to maintain their strength and health:
- Always use the correct products and application and removal techniques.
- Take breaks from gel manicures by not wearing nail polish for one to two weeks or longer.
- Rehydrate your nails with a moisturising product such as petroleum jelly.
- Avoid picking or peeling off your gel polish.
- Only soak your fingertips in acetone when removing your nail polish.
In addition to the above, wearing gloves when washing dishes or cleaning can help protect your hands and nails from damage. Dishwashing gloves can offer protection from sharp objects, prevent cross-contamination, and shield your hands from harsh ingredients in cleaning products and prolonged exposure to hot water. They can also give you a better grip on slippery dishes.
When choosing the right gloves, consider the following:
- If you have a latex allergy, opt for latex-free gloves.
- If you have sensitive skin, choose gloves with a gentle cotton or fabric lining.
- For extra comfort, select gloves lined with moisture-wicking foam or long sleeves to prevent water from seeping in.
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Apply sunscreen to prevent skin ageing from UV radiation
Keeping your nails healthy under gel polish requires proper application and removal techniques, good nail care, and choosing the right products to maintain their strength and health. Before getting a gel manicure, it is important to apply sunscreen to your hands to prevent premature skin ageing and skin cancer caused by ultraviolet radiation.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause long-term skin damage, including premature ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens play a crucial role in protecting the skin by filtering or reflecting UV rays. When choosing a sunscreen, opt for one that offers broad-spectrum protection, which shields against both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, select a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher. SPF 15 used regularly can reduce your risk of developing certain types of skin cancer and lower your melanoma risk. Higher SPF numbers provide greater protection from UV rays, allowing you to stay outdoors for a longer duration before your skin reddens.
It is recommended to apply sunscreen generously to all exposed areas of the body, including the hands, face, ears, neck, arms, feet, and scalp. Lip balm with sunscreen can also be used to protect the lips. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply it every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays can still reach the Earth, so don't forget your sunscreen even when the sun is not directly shining.
In addition to sunscreen, you can further protect yourself from UV radiation by wearing protective clothing, using UV shields, and seeking shade when outdoors. By combining these measures, you can effectively reduce your exposure to UV radiation and help prevent skin ageing and other skin concerns.
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Take a break from polish to allow nails to repair
While it is a common misconception that taking breaks from gel polish allows nails to breathe, the fact is that nails do not require oxygen to stay healthy. Nails obtain their nutrients and oxygen from the bloodstream, and are not living tissues. However, it is still important to take breaks from gel polish to allow your nails to repair and grow.
Gel manicures can weaken your natural nails, especially if you do not get them removed by a professional and peel them off yourself. By peeling the gel polish off directly, you can peel off layers of your natural nail underneath, causing them to become thin, weak, and prone to breakage. This will also strip the nails of their protective barrier and cause them to become flimsy. To avoid this, it is recommended to take a break from gel polish for at least a week every eight weeks to allow the nails to rehydrate and repair.
During this break, you can use a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, on your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping. You can also use a nail and cuticle oil to rehydrate your nails and prevent them from becoming brittle. Additionally, make sure to wear gloves when cleaning to protect your nails.
It is important to note that when removing gel polish, you should work carefully away from the cuticles to avoid harming the delicate skin around them. Instead of peeling the polish off, use a removal tool or orangewood cuticle stick to gently lift and remove it. If the polish is not lifting off easily, it needs more soaking time. Rushing the process can damage your nails, so take your time to protect their integrity.
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Frequently asked questions
When removing gel nail polish, work carefully away from the cuticles to avoid harming the delicate skin around them. Move in the direction of nail growth to protect your cuticles and maintain the overall health and appearance of your nails. Avoid picking at and peeling off your gel polish, as this will pull away layers of your natural nails, leaving them thin, weak and prone to breakage.
Avoid getting gel polish on your skin or cuticles during application. If any polish does touch these areas, clean it off before curing using an Orangewood Cuticle Stick or a Nail Art Brush dipped in Nail Polish Remover.
Take a nail polish holiday. Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails time to repair. Rehydrate your nails by applying a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily.
