Liam Carter
Gel manicures can be a great way to have long-lasting, chip-free nails. However, they can also cause nail damage, such as brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and even increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands due to UV exposure. To avoid damaging your nails, it is recommended to limit gel manicures to special occasions and give your nails a break in between to allow them to rehydrate and repair. When getting a gel manicure, ensure the salon sterilizes their tools and never allow your manicurist to cut your cuticles. After removing gel polish, which is best done by a professional, it is important to moisturize your nails and cuticles to prevent dryness and encourage healthy nail growth.
How to not damage nails with gel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of gel manicures | Consider getting a gel manicure for special occasions only |
| Tools used | Ask if tools are sterilized and ensure manicurists clean and disinfect tools after every client |
| Cuticles | Do not let manicurists push or cut your cuticles |
| Type of nail polish | Consider traditional nail polish instead of gel polish |
| Sunscreen | Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before getting a gel manicure |
| Duration of manicure | Remove gel manicure after two to three weeks maximum to avoid damaging nail beds and cuticles |
| Removal | Get gels removed by a professional |
| Moisturization | Keep nails hydrated in between salon visits |
| Nail products | Use nail products with ingredients like collagen, camellia oil, vitamin B3, zinc, and antioxidant-rich meadowfoam seed oil |
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What You'll Learn
Limit gel manicures to special occasions only
Gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, but they can also be tough on nails. The key to keeping your nails healthy is moderation. Limit gel manicures to special occasions only and remove the gel polish after two to three weeks to avoid damaging your nail beds and cuticles. Overextending the life of your gel manicure can lead to weakened nails and introduce harmful bacteria.
Once the gel begins to lift, moisture can get under the gel and lead to bacterial growth. As tempting as it may be, avoid picking at your gel polish as it starts to peel and lift. Doing so can cause damage that may take over six months to repair. Instead, have your gel polish removed by a professional. The safest way to remove gel polish is to first gently file the top of the polish to remove the shine, which allows the acetone to penetrate and dissolve the gel more easily.
To remove gel nail polish, you will need acetone, cotton balls, tin foil, a wooden cuticle pusher, a buffing tool, and cuticle oil. Soak the cotton balls in acetone, apply a cotton ball to each nail, and wrap them in tin foil. Leave the wraps on for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently push the gel off the nail plates using a wooden cuticle pusher. Finish by lightly buffing the surface of the nail and applying cuticle oil to rehydrate.
To keep your nails healthy, it is important to moisturize them and maintain proper cuticle hydration. Cuticle oil can help strengthen nail beds and boost healthy nail growth. You can also use a nail strengthener, a protein-enriched base, and a topcoat designed to strengthen nails to encourage healthy nail growth.
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Avoid back-to-back gel manicures
Getting back-to-back gel manicures can be tempting, but it's important to give your nails a break to prevent lasting damage. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and the longer you leave them on, the more opportunity there is for bacteria to build up underneath.
Nail expert, Evelyn Lim, recommends taking a "gel honeymoon" to allow nails to rehydrate and repair. This break will give your nails time to recover and strengthen. During this time, you can use nail treatments to promote healthy nail growth. For example, a nail strengthener with protein-enriched or keratin formulas can help prevent the nail from peeling, splitting, or breaking. You can also use products containing ingredients like collagen and camellia extract to strengthen your nails.
It's important to keep your nails hydrated, both during and after your gel honeymoon. Cuticle oil is a great way to impart deep hydration to your nails and cuticles. Massage it into the cuticle area, where new, healthy nail growth will start. You can also use hand cream after applying cuticle oil to lock in moisture.
To avoid the temptation of stretching your manicure, it's recommended to remove gel polish after two to three weeks. If you can, have it removed by a professional to prevent any damage. At-home removal can be done by gently filing the top of the polish to remove the shine, which allows acetone to penetrate and dissolve the gel more easily. However, acetone can be extremely drying, so it's important to rehydrate your nails afterward.
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Remove gel manicures after two to three weeks
It is recommended that you remove gel manicures after two to three weeks to avoid damaging your nail beds and cuticles. Leaving gel polish on for longer than this can lead to weakened nails and introduce harmful bacteria. Once the gel begins to lift, moisture can get underneath, which can lead to bacterial growth.
If you can, it is best to have your gels removed by a professional to prevent any damage. This can be done by soaking cotton balls in acetone and applying one to each nail, wrapping them in tin foil, and leaving them for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, using a wooden cuticle pusher, gently push the gel off the nail plates. Finish by lightly buffing the nail and applying oil to your nails and cuticles to rehydrate them.
If you cannot make it to a salon for removal, you can gently file the top of the polish to remove the shine, which will allow the acetone to penetrate and dissolve the gel more easily. However, it is important to note that acetone can be extremely drying to the nail bed, so it is crucial to keep cuticle oil close at hand to combat nail dryness and prevent nails from becoming brittle.
To strengthen nails after gel manicures, you can use a nail strengthener with ingredients like collagen, camellia extract, and keratin, which is a natural protein that forms the building blocks of nails and can help prevent peeling, splitting, and breaking. Vitamin B3, zinc, and antioxidant-rich meadowfoam seed oil can also help harden and protect nails from environmental damage.
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Get gels removed by a professional
Getting gels removed professionally is one of the best ways to prevent nail damage. Experts agree that the safest way to remove gel polish is by a professional. While it can be tempting to remove gels yourself, this can lead to weakened nails and even introduce harmful bacteria.
Professional manicurists will have the right tools and products to safely remove gels without causing damage. They will also ensure that their tools are sterilized and disinfected, reducing the risk of infection. Before your appointment, it is recommended to ask if their tools are sterilized and to check that they are cleaning their tools after each client.
During the removal process, a professional will first gently file the top of the polish to remove the shine, allowing acetone to penetrate and dissolve the gel more easily. They will then soak cotton balls in acetone and apply them to your nails, wrapping them in tin foil. After leaving the wraps on for around 10-15 minutes, the manicurist will gently push the gel off the nail plates using a wooden cuticle pusher.
It is important to note that acetone can be extremely drying to the nail bed, so it is crucial to properly hydrate your nails after removal. Cuticle oil can help combat nail dryness and impart deep hydration, promoting healthy nail growth.
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Ask manicurists about tool sterilisation
When it comes to gel manicures, it's not just about achieving that perfect glossy finish; maintaining nail health and hygiene is crucial. While gel manicures can be a great way to add strength and shine to your nails, improper techniques or tool sterilisation can lead to nail damage and other issues. So, how can you ensure your manicure experience is safe and sterile? Ask manicurists about their tool sterilisation practices and look for these key indicators:
Ask About Sterilisation Techniques
Don't be afraid to ask your nail technician about their tool sterilisation process. Inquire about the specific steps they take to ensure their tools are clean and safe for each client. A good technician should be able to explain their sterilisation process clearly and transparently. If they seem unsure or uncomfortable discussing the topic, it may be a red flag.
Understand the Difference Between Sanitisation and Disinfection
Sanitisation and disinfection are two important steps in tool sterilisation. Sanitisation refers to the thorough cleaning of tools and surfaces using hot water and soap or a dishwasher. Disinfection, on the other hand, involves killing any remaining pathogens with liquid disinfectants like alcohol, bleach, or professional disinfection products. Both steps are crucial for ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the tools.
Observe Their Tool Handling
Take note of how the manicurists handle their tools. Do they use a fresh set of tools for each client, or do they sterilise them between appointments? Some tools are designed for single-use only, so they should either be discarded or given to the client after use. Observe if they clean their tools before or after each manicure and how they store them. Proper tool handling is essential to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
Check for Sterilisation Equipment
Ask the manicurists about the equipment they use for sterilisation. Steam autoclaves, for example, use steam at temperatures above 100°C to sterilise tools effectively. Dry heat sterilisers are another option, perfect for tools that may rust with steam. Ultrasonic cleaners are also used, but they require manual cleaning beforehand and may not reach all surfaces. UV sanitisers are not sufficient on their own, as tools must first be cleaned and properly exposed to UV rays.
Look for Colour-Changing Indicators
When tools are properly sterilised, they are often stored in sealed, labelled pouches with colour-changing indicators. These indicators will change colour after the sterilisation process, assuring you that the tools have been effectively sterilised. If you don't see these colour changes, it may be a sign that the tools haven't undergone proper sterilisation.
By asking manicurists about their tool sterilisation practices and keeping an eye out for these indicators, you can make informed choices about your nail care. Remember, a good nail salon will prioritise your nail health and safety, ensuring that your manicure experience is both enjoyable and hygienic.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you remove a gel manicure after two to three weeks maximum to avoid damaging nail beds and cuticles. Leaving your gel polish on for longer can lead to weakened nails and introduce harmful bacteria.
The safest way to remove gel polish is to have it removed by a professional. If you cannot do this, you can remove it yourself by first gently filing the top of the polish to remove the shine, then soaking cotton balls in acetone, applying a cotton ball to each nail, and wrapping it in tin foil. Leave the wraps on for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently push the gel off the nail plates using a wooden cuticle pusher. Finish by lightly buffing the nail and applying oil to your nails and cuticles to rehydrate.
Before your manicure, 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. During your manicure, make sure your manicurist is cleaning and disinfecting their tools after every client. After your manicure, get into the habit of moisturising your hands and nails to repair any damage.
