Noah Sinclair
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those wanting long-lasting, chip-free nails with a glossy shine. However, the removal process can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. To maintain nail health after a gel manicure, it is important to keep nails moisturized and avoid picking or peeling the polish off. This is because picking off gel polish can harm the nail plate and cause thinning of the nails and harm to the nail bed. Instead, it is recommended to soak nails in acetone or use acetone-soaked cotton balls wrapped in aluminum foil to remove the polish. After removal, nourishing the nails with cuticle oil and hand cream can help strengthen and hydrate the nails and prevent breakage.
How to make nails healthy after gel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Moisturize | Use a quality cuticle oil and hand cream regularly. |
| Protect nails | Wear gloves while washing dishes or cleaning to protect nails from water and chemicals. |
| Avoid picking at gel nails | Picking off gel harms the nail plate and can cause thinning of the nails, harm to the nail bed, and irregularities on the nail plate and in growth patterns. |
| Proper removal | Soak nails in acetone or use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrapped in aluminum foil. |
| Nail strengthener | Use a nail strengthener as a base coat to encourage healthy nail growth. |
| Keratin treatment | Keratin treatments can help strengthen nails and prevent peeling, splitting, or breaking. |
| Take a break from polish | Keep nails polish-free for a few days to a few weeks to allow nails to grow out stronger and healthier. |
| Nail shape | Keep nails short with rounded tips to keep them strong. |
| Buff nails | Lightly run a buffer over any uneven edges or ridges to smooth things out and prevent further peeling. |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid picking or peeling off gel manicures
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing on the hands.
It is very important to avoid picking or peeling off gel manicures. By peeling off a gel manicure, you are removing the top layers of delicate cells called keratinocytes. This can result in white patches and textural irregularities throughout the nails. It can also cause nails to become thinner, weaker, and uneven.
Instead, make an appointment with your manicurist to have the polish removed. Only soak your fingertips in acetone. Alternatively, soak small pieces of cotton wool in acetone and apply them to your nails by wrapping small pieces of aluminium foil around your fingertips. This will ensure that only your nails come into contact with the acetone. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come right off.
To care for your nails in between gel manicures, dermatologists recommend taking a nail polish holiday. Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This break allows your nails to build up natural oils, restore their strength, and prevent lifting.
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Use cuticle oil
Using cuticle oil is an important part of maintaining nail health, especially after gel manicures. Cuticle oil is designed to keep your cuticles hydrated and nourished. Cuticles are the dead skin that grows from the bottom of the nails over the nail bed, and keeping them healthy is key to healthy nail growth.
Cuticle oil stimulates blood flow to the fingers when massaged in, promoting stronger, faster-growing nails. This means that your nails will be less likely to chip or break. Cuticle oil can also help to protect nails from drying out or cracking.
To use cuticle oil, apply 2-3 drops on each nail and massage it into each nail and the surrounding skin for around a minute. You can apply the oil using the brush or by dropping some oil onto a cotton pad and dabbing it onto your cuticles. For best results, cuticle oil can be used every day. However, it is important to note that cuticle oil alone cannot make your nails grow faster – a balanced diet and proper nail care practices are also important factors in promoting nail growth.
It is recommended to use cuticle oil in the build-up to your gel manicure and straight after, rather than just before. This is because applying cuticle oil directly before a gel manicure can cause the polish to lift and not adhere properly to the nail plate.
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Minimise exposure to water
Water and chemicals are the "arch-nemeses" of gel nails, so it's important to minimise your exposure to water to keep your nails healthy after a gel manicure. When washing dishes or cleaning, always wear gloves. Even when washing your hands, too much water can cause polish to lift, so be sure to wear gloves if you're going to have your hands in water for longer than a few minutes.
It's also important to keep your nails and cuticles well-moisturised, as this will help prevent them from turning brittle. Use a quality cuticle oil and hand cream regularly, applying it to the surrounding skin and cuticle area, but avoiding the nail surface. Spend a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle, and don't wash your hands for 20 minutes after application to allow for absorption.
If you're going to soak your nails in water, make sure to moisturise them afterwards. You can also try soaking your nails in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes daily, which can be a luxurious treatment for both nails and skin.
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Moisturise your hands and nails
Gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, but they can also be tough on nails, causing brittleness, peeling, and cracking. Moisturising your hands and nails is crucial to maintaining nail health and preventing these issues. Here are some detailed tips to help you moisturise effectively:
Firstly, understand the importance of cuticle care. Your cuticles play a protective role, shielding the new nails that are growing underneath. By keeping them well-moisturised, you safeguard this protective function. Use a quality cuticle oil, massaging it into your nails and the surrounding skin several times a day. Spend at least a full minute on this process, ensuring the oil is absorbed well. Cuticle oils containing jojoba and coconut oils are excellent choices, and vitamin E provides added protection. After applying oil, wait for around 20 minutes before washing your hands to allow for full absorption.
Next, seal in the moisture with a thick hand cream or salve. Creams form an occlusive barrier that prevents moisture loss, so be sure to slather on hand cream regularly, especially after applying cuticle oil. Remember to also moisturise your hands and nails with lotion or oil, focusing on the skin surrounding your nails and cuticles. Avoid applying lotion directly to the nail surface, as this can interfere with the polish.
Additionally, consider soaking your nails in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes daily. This is an effective way to nourish your nails and skin, especially during dry winter months.
Finally, limit your exposure to water. Water can be the enemy of well-moisturised hands, causing moisture to escape. When washing dishes or cleaning, always wear gloves to protect your hands and nails from excessive moisture.
By following these steps and giving your hands and nails the TLC they deserve, you can maintain their health and keep them looking salon-worthy for longer.
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Take a break from polish
Taking a break from nail polish can be beneficial for nail health, especially after the use of gel manicures. Gels can cause nail brittleness, peeling, cracking, and thinning, and can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands with repeated use.
Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June, recommends keeping nails polish-free for at least a few days after a gel manicure. While there is no scientific evidence to support this, Tuttle and other nail experts have noticed a difference in the strength and health of their clients' nails when they take a break from polish. This break allows nails to grow out stronger, healthier, and longer.
During this break, it is important to care for your nails and cuticles. Cuticles are meant to protect the new nails growing underneath, so keeping them moisturized is key. You can use a quality cuticle oil and massage it into your nails and the surrounding skin several times a day. 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.
Additionally, limit your exposure to water as moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage. When washing dishes or cleaning, wear gloves to protect your nails and cuticles from water and chemicals. Keeping your nails dry and clean will also help to prevent chipping and lifting.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent damage, ensure your manicurist isn't using an electric file and don't peel or pick your nails. If you must remove them, use acetone and nourish with an oil afterward.
Keep your nails clean and dry. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to protect your nails from water and chemicals. Moisturize your nails and cuticles regularly with a quality cuticle oil and hand cream.
Soak your fingertips in acetone or use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrapped in small pieces of aluminium foil. Do not pick or peel the polish off as this can harm the nail plate and cause thinning of the nails.
It can take around three months for your nails to grow back completely healthy. In the meantime, you can use nail strengtheners to help your nails grow stronger and longer.
