Noah Sinclair
Gel manicures can be a fun way to get long-lasting, chip-free, glossy nails. However, they can also damage your nails, leaving them dry, brittle, thin, and prone to breaking. This is especially true if the manicure is not removed properly. So, how can you repair your nails after a gel manicure? Well, there are several ways to rehabilitate your nails, including using nail strengtheners, ridge fillers, and cuticle oils.
How to rebuild nails after gel manicures
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Damage caused by gels | Nails become dry, brittle, thin, and prone to splitting |
| Prevention | Avoid peeling off the polish, cutting cuticles, and using an electric file during removal |
| Treatment | Moisturize with lotions, oils, and creams; use ridge fillers and nail strengtheners; take supplements like biotin |
| Other tips | Keep nails short, rounded, and buffed; push back cuticles; wear gloves when washing or sanitizing; take breaks between gel manicures |
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What You'll Learn
Moisturise your nails and the skin around them
Moisturising your nails and the skin around them is crucial to maintaining nail health. Gel manicures can strip nails of their natural moisture, so it is important to rehydrate them. You can buy a nail moisturiser at a local beauty supply store or department store, or use a natural oil like olive, coconut, or jojoba oil. You can also use vitamin E oil by breaking open a capsule and rubbing the oil onto your nail plates and cuticles.
Apply a nail moisturiser every day to your nails and the skin around them. You can also use a hand lotion for all-over moisture, and then apply a cuticle oil to the skin around your nails. As washing your hands dries out your nails, it is recommended to apply moisturiser each time you wash your hands. Be sure to dry your hands thoroughly after washing, as this minimises how dry your nails can get.
You can also try soaking your nails in warm milk once a week for 5 minutes to remove residue and strengthen them.
It is important to note that you should not apply moisturiser to the nail surface if you have nail polish on, as the polish acts as a barrier. Similarly, avoid using acetone to remove nail polish, as it can dehydrate the nail plate, cuticles, and surrounding skin, causing them to become brittle.
Additionally, be mindful of the skin around your nails during gel nail application. Raw gel touching the skin can lead to allergic reactions, causing redness, itching, and swelling. To prevent this, you can use liquid latex around your nails before applying gel polish.
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Use a nail buffer to smooth out any ridges
Buffing your nails is a great way to smooth out ridges and make them feel super smooth and healthy. However, it is important to note that over-buffing can damage your nails, so it is recommended to use only six to eight gentle strokes for buffing and four to six strokes for polishing.
To start, cut and file your nails to your desired length and shape. Then, hold the buffer parallel to your nail with the large grit side facing down. Using unidirectional strokes, buff your nail in an X shape, making sure each stroke goes only downwards or only upwards. Repeat this process for each nail.
After you have finished buffing, use the finer grit side of the buffer to polish your nails. Similar to the buffing step, hold the buffer parallel to your nail and use unidirectional strokes to polish your nail in an X shape. This will help to smooth out any missed imperfections and make your nails even smoother. Each nail only needs four to six strokes for polishing.
Finally, use the smooth side of the buffer to shine your nails. Place the smooth side of the buffer on your nail and use light pressure to move the nail buffer in tiny circular motions. Continue this motion over the entire surface of your nail until you achieve a glossy look. This will give your nails a healthy shine without the need for nail polish.
While buffing can be an effective way to smooth out ridges, it is worth noting that some people disagree with this method. Some sources suggest that filing or excessively buffing the nail plate to remove ridges can reduce the thickness of the nail plate and weaken its integrity, making it prone to cracking and peeling. Instead, they recommend using an opaque or ridge-filling base coat to fill and cover the grooves.
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Apply cuticle oil and hand cream
After a gel manicure, your nails may feel dry, brittle, thin, and prone to splitting. To help your nails recover, you can apply cuticle oil and hand cream.
Firstly, you should apply cuticle oil to your nails and the skin around them several times a day. Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment to your nails. Spend a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle. Don't use too much oil, and don't wash your hands for 20 minutes after application to allow for absorption.
After applying cuticle oil, you should then apply a hand cream to lock in moisture. Moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage, so it's important to keep your hands and nails well-hydrated.
You can also soak your nails in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes daily to help repair damaged nails.
In addition to applying cuticle oil and hand cream, you can also take other steps to help your nails recover after a gel manicure. For example, you can keep your nails short while they recover, as longer nails are more prone to breaking. You should also avoid peeling off the polish, as this can damage your nails. Instead, use acetone to remove the polish safely.
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Take a break from gel polish
Taking a break from gel polish is a good idea, as it gives your nails a chance to recover and heal. Gel manicures can cause nails to become dry, thin, and brittle, so taking a break will allow your nails to regain their strength.
When taking a break from gel polish, it's important to focus on nourishing and strengthening your nails. This can be done by using products like nail strengtheners, ridge fillers, and cuticle oils. Nail Magic Hardener and Conditioner is a product recommended by Sally Beauty Supply employees for rehabilitating nails after gel removal. You can also try buffing your nails with a nail file to smooth out any ridges and uneven edges, promoting blood circulation and strengthening your nails.
During your break from gel polish, it's best to keep your nails short to prevent breakage and snagging. Rounded nails are the strongest shape, so gently file your nails in one direction to achieve this shape. It's also important to protect your nails by wearing gloves when doing tasks that involve water, as prolonged exposure to water can cause further damage and lifting of the polish.
Additionally, maintaining healthy habits can help your nails recover. This includes eating a healthy diet with sufficient protein, biotin, and calcium, as well as staying hydrated. Moisturizing your hands and nails regularly with hand creams and cuticle oils can also help to repair and prevent moisture loss.
Taking a break from gel polish and following these steps will help your nails recover and become stronger. It's important to be patient and consistent with your nail care routine to see the best results.
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Eat a healthy diet with sufficient protein, biotin and calcium
Eating a healthy, balanced diet with sufficient protein, biotin, and calcium is essential for healthy nails. Nails are formed by dead cells, which your body sheds as new cells push up from underneath. This process is fuelled by a constant supply of nutrients, and a deficiency in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients may negatively affect nail health.
Protein is a crucial component of nails, which are made of a protein called keratin. Therefore, eating enough protein is essential for boosting keratin production and creating strong nails. Good sources of protein include animal foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Plant-based sources of protein include soy, legumes, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that promotes healthy cell growth and aids in the metabolism of protein-building amino acids that are essential for nail growth. Foods rich in biotin include eggs, nuts, legumes, whole grains, unpolished rice, and egg yolk. Beans are also an excellent source of biotin and offer a versatile way of incorporating this vitamin into your diet.
Calcium is another important mineral for nail health. While few studies have conclusively proven that calcium improves nail health, it is known to strengthen bones, and some believe it may have a similar effect on nails. Good sources of calcium include kale, arugula, watercress, spinach, and collards. Dairy products such as cheese and milk are also rich in calcium.
In addition to these specific nutrients, it is important to maintain a varied and nutritious diet overall. This includes consuming enough fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as staying hydrated by drinking enough water.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel manicures can strip your nails of their natural moisture, making them brittle and thin. To repair damaged nails, you can apply a nail strengthener, followed by cuticle oil and hand cream. You can also soak your nails in olive oil for 10-15 minutes daily.
You can use products like CND Solar Oil, Jessica Phenomen Oil, and Leighton Denny Best Defence hand and nail cream. Some nail strengtheners you can use are Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener Strengthener Polish Treatment and Nailtiques Formula 2.
Make sure to eat a healthy diet with sufficient amounts of protein, biotin, and calcium. Do not cut your cuticles, and do not peel off your manicure. If you must remove your manicure, use acetone and nourish your nails with oil afterward.
You can use a keratin treatment to strengthen your nails and prevent them from peeling, splitting, or breaking. You can also use products that contain ingredients like collagen and camellia extract.
