Isla Bennett
Gel manicures can be fun, but they can also leave your nails damaged, thin, and brittle. The main damage comes from the gel removal process. To protect your nails after removing gel, it's important to use the right products and practices to nourish and strengthen your nail beds. This includes using cuticle oils and creams, nail strengtheners, and base and top coats. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid picking or peeling off the gel polish, as this can cause further damage to your nails. Proper removal techniques, such as soaking nails in acetone-based polish remover, are essential for maintaining nail health.
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What You'll Learn
Moisturise nails and the surrounding area
Moisturising your nails and the surrounding area is essential to maintaining nail health and extending the life of your manicure.
Moisturising your nails will help them recover after a gel manicure, which strips them of their natural moisture. You can buy a nail moisturiser at a local beauty supply store or department store. You should apply a nail moisturiser each day. Apply it to your nails and the skin around them. Look for a fortifying nail and cuticle cream that contains peptide, which hydrates and strengthens nails. Try using a hand lotion for all-over moisture, then apply a cuticle oil to the skin around your nails.
Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment, and the cream will lock in moisture. Moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage. Cuticle oil softens and hydrates your cuticles. Spend a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle. Less is more when applying cuticle oil. Do not wash your hands for 20 minutes after applying cuticle oil to allow for absorption.
Cuticle creams and gels are also important during the recovery process. Healthy cuticles are key to healthy nail growth. It is important to not cut your cuticles as they protect new nails that are growing. Instead, push them back with an orange stick and massage cuticle oil on them daily.
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Use cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is a great way to protect your nails after removing gel polish. Cuticles are vital for nail recovery, so it's important to keep them healthy. Cuticle oil delivers vitamins and nourishment to the nail bed, and it also helps to soften and moisturize cuticles.
To use cuticle oil effectively, start by pushing back your cuticles with an orange stick. Avoid cutting your cuticles, as this can cause damage to the new nails growing underneath. After pushing back your cuticles, massage a small amount of cuticle oil into the cuticle area and the skin surrounding your nails. Spend at least a full minute on each nail, ensuring that the oil is thoroughly absorbed. For best results, try to use cuticle oil daily.
It is recommended to follow up with a hand cream after applying cuticle oil. Hand cream will lock in moisture, which is often lost after gel nail removal. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann emphasizes the importance of keeping hands and nails moisturized to maintain their health and extend the life of your manicure.
Some recommended cuticle oils include the Cuticle Oil Pen by Deborah Lippmann, OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go, Sally Hansen VitaSurge Cuticle Gel, and Julep Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum.
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Wear gloves when doing housework
Wearing gloves while doing housework is an important step in protecting your nails after removing gel manicures. The chemicals in cleaning products can be harsh and damaging to nails, especially if they are already weakened from the gel removal process. By wearing gloves, you create a protective barrier that shields your nails from these chemicals, preventing further drying and potential breakage.
Gloves also help to keep your hands and nails moisturized. The skin on our hands, including our nails, can become dry and dehydrated due to various factors such as weather conditions and frequent washing. Wearing gloves while doing housework helps lock in moisture, keeping your hands and nails hydrated. This is especially beneficial if you are using a nail moisturizer or cuticle oil as part of your nail care routine.
Additionally, wearing gloves can protect your nails from physical damage during housework. Our nails can be fragile after gel removal, and tasks such as washing dishes or scrubbing surfaces can put them at risk of chipping, peeling, or breaking. Gloves provide a layer of cushioning that helps to absorb impact and reduce the chances of nail damage.
It is also important to select the right type of gloves for your housework. Opt for gloves made from durable materials such as rubber or latex, which can withstand exposure to various cleaning products and provide a good grip. Ensure that the gloves fit snugly and comfortably on your hands to maximize their protective effects.
By incorporating this simple step of wearing gloves during housework, you can effectively protect your nails, allowing them to recover and regain their strength after gel manicures. It is a small but significant step towards maintaining healthy and beautiful nails.
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Buff nails gently
Buffing your nails is an important step in the process of healing nails after a gel manicure. It helps to smooth out nails, especially where there are ridges, and promotes blood circulation, which can strengthen nails.
When buffing your nails, it is important to be gentle. You should use a nail buffer to smooth out the nail plates and prevent any further peeling. Be sure to focus on the ridges and apply some pressure, especially where the gel was applied. You can use a sponge buffer, which is less rough, to do most of the work for you. Start with the less rough side and do two-thirds of the nail, then go over the same area with the rougher side, but be careful not to be too aggressive. You can then use the rougher side to smooth out any remaining ridges.
It is important not to over-buff your nails, as this can thin them down and damage them. You should only buff your nails every other day until they have healed.
Before buffing, you should use a nail file to remove the shine on top of your nails so that you can just barely see the natural nail beneath.
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Use a nail-strengthening product
After removing gel nails, your nails may be left thin and brittle. To combat this, you can use a nail-strengthening product. These products can help repair the damage caused by gel manicures, which often result in nail thinning due to the removal process.
Look for nail-strengthening products that contain ingredients such as keratins, proteins, or mastic oil. For example, you can try the Isdin Nourishing and Hydrating Nail Strengthener Serum, which costs $30. Alternatively, you can use a nail strengthener with keratin, a natural protein that forms the building blocks of nails, skin, and hair. This will help prevent your nails from peeling, splitting, or breaking.
Apply two coats of the nail strengthener product to your nails. Let the coats dry, and then you can proceed with any cuticle work. It is important to note that over-buffing your nails before applying the nail strengthener may cause more harm than good. The nail strengthener will act as a protective layer, so you won't have to worry about over-filing your nails.
Additionally, you can use a nail buffer to smooth out any ridges and uneven edges that may have formed after a gel manicure. Buff your nails every other day until they have healed. Buffing also promotes blood circulation, which can help strengthen your nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a nail strengthener with keratin, protein, or mastic oil to directly repair your nails.
Buff your nails with a nail file to remove the shine, then soak a cotton ball in acetone-based polish remover and secure it to your nail with tape for 15 minutes. Push off any remaining nail polish with a cuticle pusher.
Avoid cutting your cuticles as they protect new nails that are growing. Instead, push them back with an orange stick and apply cuticle oil daily.
Soak your nails in warm milk once a week to strengthen them and help them absorb the milk's nutrients. You can also buff your nails to smooth out ridges and promote blood circulation.
Avoid peeling or picking off your gel manicure, as this can result in white patches and textural irregularities throughout your nails. Make sure to find a nail technician who removes them properly.
