Liam Carter
While gel manicures are a great way to get long-lasting, chip-free nails, they can be tough on your nails and skin. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands. However, this damage is often reversible and preventable. To prevent damage from gel nail polish, it is important to follow the proper application and removal techniques, practice good nail care, and choose the right products to maintain nail strength and health.
How to prevent damage from gel nail polish
| 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 |
| Wear gloves | Wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off before your nail polish is applied |
| Avoid picking gel nail polish | When the color begins to come off, don’t pick at the polish or use other nails or tools to remove it. Instead, make an appointment with your manicurist to have the polish removed |
| 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 |
| Wear gloves while doing chores | Wear gloves while cleaning or washing dishes to protect your nails from harsh chemicals that can weaken the polish |
| Avoid prolonged water exposure | Avoid long soaks to prevent your nails from expanding and contracting, which can cause lifting |
| Use cuticle oil and hydrating hand cream | Apply cuticle oil and hydrating hand cream to keep your nails and cuticles nourished, helping to promote healthy nail growth |
| Use the complete gel system | Use a base coat, builder gel, color coat, and top coat to keep your nails in top condition |
| Follow the proper removal process | Use a removal tool or orangewood cuticle sticks to gently lift and remove the polish |
| Use a nail strengthener | Use a nail strengthener to protect and strengthen your nails |
| Use a nail growth polish | Use a nail growth polish to help repair the nails |
| Use keratin treatments | Keratin treatments can help strengthen the nail and help prevent the nail from peeling, splitting, or breaking |
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What You'll Learn
Use a nail strengthener and growth polish
If you're a fan of gel manicures, you might have noticed that your nails become weaker and more brittle after a gel application. This is a common occurrence, especially if you pick the polish off yourself instead of getting it removed properly. The good news is that there are ways to protect and strengthen your nails while they grow out. One way to do this is by using a nail strengthener and growth polish.
Nail strengthener and growth polishes are designed to nourish and protect your nails, helping them become stronger and promoting growth. These products typically contain proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients that your nails need to be healthy. Some common ingredients found in nail strengtheners include keratin, collagen, soy protein, and multi-vitamins, all of which help to improve nail growth, appearance, and overall health. Nail growth polishes are also a form of treatment for damaged nails, as they provide restorative moisture and vitamins to your nails.
When choosing a nail strengthener, look for products that are quick-drying and can be applied over polish, like the one offered by Olive and June, which features a blend of celery extract to protect and heal weak and brittle nails. You can also opt for a product that doubles as a base coat, like Chanel's Protective and Smoothing Nail Treatment, which promises to nourish the nail and alleviate dryness with camellia oil. If you're looking for a more traditional moisturising product, Barielle's Nail Strengthener Cream contains both keratin and biotin, which are proven to improve nail growth and overall health.
In addition to using a nail strengthener, it's important to follow proper nail care techniques. This includes taking a break from polish to give your nails time to repair and rehydrate. You can apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and help prevent chipping. It's also important to follow the proper removal process for gel polish, as rushing or being forceful can damage your nails.
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Wear sunscreen to prevent skin damage
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails and the skin on your hands. The UV lamps used to cure your nails during a gel manicure can increase the risk of skin cancer and cause premature aging.
To prevent skin damage, it is important to wear sunscreen before your gel manicure. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply it a few minutes before your polish is applied so that it has time to start working and you don't have to wash it off. This will help protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish.
In addition to wearing sunscreen, there are a few other precautions you can take to protect your skin. You can wear fingerless gloves or dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off during your manicure. After your manicure, avoid prolonged water exposure and wear gloves when cleaning or washing dishes to protect your nails from harsh chemicals and prolonged water exposure, which can cause lifting.
Remember, while wearing sunscreen and taking precautions can help minimize the risk of skin damage, it is still important to be vigilant and consult a dermatologist if you notice any changes to your skin.
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Avoid picking at gel polish
It is tempting to pick off old gel polish, but doing so can cause significant damage to your natural nails. When you pick off gel polish, you are also removing the top layer of your natural nails, leaving them thin, weak, and prone to breakage. This can result in odd textures, cracking, and brittleness, and it can take months for your nails to recover and grow out healthy again.
To avoid picking at your gel polish, it is important to care for your nails properly before, during, and after your manicure. Before getting a gel 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 caused by ultraviolet radiation. You can also wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips cut off to protect your hands from UV rays during the curing process.
During your manicure, be careful to avoid getting gel polish on your skin or cuticles. If this happens, use an orangewood cuticle stick or a nail art brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean it off before curing. After your manicure, wear gloves when cleaning or washing dishes to protect your nails from harsh chemicals and prolonged water exposure, which can weaken the polish and cause lifting.
If you notice that your gel polish has started to chip or peel, resist the urge to pick at it. Instead, file the nail where the chip occurred and seal it with a top coat to extend the life of your manicure until you can have the gel polish removed properly.
Remember, the key to a long-lasting, non-peeling gel manicure is thin, smooth layers of polish. Thick layers will peel more easily and may be more tempting to pick at. So, take your time with the application and follow the proper removal process to keep your nails healthy and strong.
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Take breaks between manicures
Taking breaks between manicures is one of the best ways to prevent damage from gel nail polish. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing on the hands due to UV exposure. Therefore, it is important to give your nails time to repair and rehydrate between gel manicures.
Dermatologists recommend trying not to wear any nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails to repair. During this break, you can apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and help prevent chipping. Cuticle oil and hand cream can also be used to lock in moisture and provide essential nutrients and vitamins to your nails and the underlying tissues.
It is also important to be mindful of the products you are using during your gel manicures. Some gel polishes contain toxic ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Methacrylate monomers, for example, are sensitising, highly volatile molecules that can penetrate the epidermis and cause irritation of the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and allergic dermatitis. Therefore, it is recommended to use a nail strengthener with a protein-enriched base and a top coat designed to strengthen nails to encourage healthy nail growth.
Additionally, proper application and removal techniques are crucial to preventing damage to your nails. Gel polish should not be applied or removed aggressively, as this can alter the nail matrix and cause nails to become ridged, soft, or brittle. Instead, follow the proper removal process as outlined in the Gelous Removal Guide to protect your nails from unnecessary damage.
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Use gloves to protect your nails
While gel nail polish itself does not damage your nails, improper application and removal techniques can cause harm. To prevent this, it is important to use gloves to protect your nails from unnecessary damage.
Wearing gloves is a simple yet effective way to shield your nails and keep them looking fresh and polished for longer. This is especially important if you are frequently exposed to harsh chemicals or are handling tasks that can cause wear and tear on your manicure. Gloves act as a barrier, protecting your nails from chipping, peeling, and lifting. This is because gloves prevent your nails from coming into direct contact with water, cleaning products, or other substances that can cause your nail polish to deteriorate.
For example, if you are doing household chores such as cleaning or washing dishes, wearing gloves can protect your gel manicure from the harsh chemicals found in cleaning products. Similarly, if you are handling tasks that involve prolonged water exposure, such as washing dishes or taking long soaks in the tub, gloves can help prevent your nails from expanding and contracting, which can lead to lifting and chipping.
In addition to protecting your nails from external substances, wearing gloves can also help prevent you from touching your nails with your hands. This is important because picking or peeling at your gel nail polish can cause damage to your nails. By wearing gloves, you create a physical barrier that makes it more difficult to pick or peel at your nail polish, encouraging you to leave it alone and opt for a proper removal method instead.
It is worth noting that the type of gloves you choose can also make a difference. Disposable nitrile gloves, for instance, are a popular choice among nail technicians and professionals due to their latex-free, non-allergenic, and stain-hiding properties. However, other options such as rubber gloves or cutting gloves can also be effective in protecting your nails, depending on your specific needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel nail polish itself doesn't damage your nails, but improper application and removal can. Here are some tips to prevent damage:
- Use the correct application and removal techniques.
- Practice good nail care.
- Choose the right products to maintain nail health and strength.
- Avoid getting gel polish on your skin or cuticles during application.
- Wear gloves while cleaning or washing dishes to protect your nails from harsh chemicals.
- Avoid prolonged water exposure to prevent your nails from expanding and contracting, which can cause lifting.
Gel nail polish can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. Repeated use can also increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands due to UV exposure. Some people may also be allergic to the chemicals in gel nail polish.
To safely remove gel nail polish, use a removal tool or orangewood cuticle sticks to gently lift and remove the polish. If the polish isn't coming off easily, let it soak for longer. Rushing the process can damage your nails.
It is recommended to take a break from gel nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate.
To repair damaged nails, you can use a nail strengthener, a nail growth polish, or a keratin treatment. Applying cuticle oil and hand cream can also help nourish and protect your nails.
