Caleb Foster
Gel manicures can be a fun way to spice up your nails, but they can also damage your nails and make them prone to breakage and peeling. The most common issues with gel manicures include white spots or lines on your nails, an uneven nail plate, and dryness. To rehab your nails after a gel manicure, it is recommended to use a combination of nail buffers, cuticle oils, hand creams, nail strengtheners, and healthy eating habits.
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What You'll Learn
Use cuticle oil and hand cream
Gel manicures can cause nails to become dry, brittle, thin and prone to splitting. To rehab your nails, it is important to keep them moisturised. Cuticle oil and hand cream can help with this.
Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment to your nails, and the cream locks in moisture. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann recommends using cuticle oil followed by her hand cream, which promises to condition and soothe dry, cracked cuticles. She suggests spending a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle and waiting 20 minutes before washing your hands to allow for absorption. Michelle Saunders, another celebrity manicurist, recommends Essie Apricot cuticle oil, while one blogger swears by CND Solar Oil or Jessica Phenomen Oil.
Manicurist Rita Remark says that applying cuticle oil followed by a hand cream is one of the easiest ways to repair damaged nails. She recommends using gloves to enhance absorption. You can also try olive oil, which is a more affordable option. Simply soak your nails in it for 10 to 15 minutes daily.
To keep your hands moisturised, apply a hand cream at night and put on cotton gloves. One blogger recommends rubbing in Leighton Denny Best Defence hand and nail cream every night. Another suggests Fenty Skin Hand Mask, a rich hand cream.
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Take biotin and multivitamin supplements
Taking biotin and multivitamin supplements is a great way to rehab your nails after a gel manicure. Biotin is a B vitamin that helps support healthy nails, skin, and hair. It can help improve the strength and structure of your nails, making them less prone to breakage and splitting.
You can find biotin supplements in various forms, such as tablets, capsules, or gummies, at your local pharmacy or health food store. It is generally recommended to take biotin consistently for several months to see the best results.
Additionally, taking a daily multivitamin can also support nail health. Look for multivitamins that include key nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and zinc. These vitamins and minerals contribute to overall nail health and can help your nails grow strong and resilient.
It is important to remember that everyone's body is unique, and you should always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen. They can advise you on the appropriate dosage and any potential interactions with your current medications or supplements.
By incorporating biotin and multivitamin supplements into your routine, you are giving your body the tools it needs to promote nail growth and strengthen your nails from within. This, combined with other nail rehab practices, will help you restore your nails to their natural, healthy state after gel manicures.
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Buff nails and use a nail strengthener
Buffing your nails is an important step in the rehabilitation process after removing gel manicures. This is because gel manicures often leave your nails with ridges and other uneven edges. Using a nail buffer to smooth out your nails, focusing on the ridges, will help them heal. It is recommended to do this every other day until your nails have healed. Buffing also promotes blood circulation, which can strengthen your nails.
After buffing your nails, you can use a clear nail strengthener to help them recover. This is a good option if you don't prefer polished nails. You can find many clear strengtheners or coloured polishes with strengthening formulas at drug and beauty stores.
If you are looking for a specific product recommendation, OPI offers a nail strengthener with proteins to fortify weak tips. Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener Strengthener Polish Treatment is another option, available on Amazon or eBay.
In addition to buffing and using a nail strengthener, it is important to keep your nails moisturized. Nails can become dry and brittle after gel manicures, so using cuticle oil and hand cream can help to rehydrate them. Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment, while the cream will lock in moisture. You can also try soaking your nails in olive oil for about 10 to 15 minutes daily.
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Moisturise nails and the skin around them
Gel manicures can be fun, but they can also leave your nails dry, brittle, thin and prone to splitting. To rehab your nails after a gel manicure, moisturising is key. Nails lose moisture faster than the rest of the skin, and gel manicures strip them of a lot of their natural moisture.
To start, you can use a cuticle oil to rehydrate your nails and the skin around them. Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment, and they can help to soften and hydrate your cuticles. Spend a full minute massaging the oil into the cuticle. You can use a product like Essie Apricot cuticle oil, or a natural oil like jojoba, coconut or olive oil.
Next, you'll want to use a hand or nail cream to lock in that moisture. Look for a fortifying nail and cuticle cream that contains peptide, which hydrates and strengthens nails. You could try a product like C.O. Bigelow chapped hands remedy, or a hand cream like JUARA or Fenty Skin.
You can also try soaking your hands in oil for 10-15 minutes daily. This can be a luxurious treatment for both your nails and skin.
To keep your nails strong, it's important to moisturise them every day and to practice healthy habits like eating a nutritious diet. Make sure to get sufficient amounts of protein, biotin and calcium. Dairy foods can be a great source of protein and calcium.
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Avoid picking or peeling off gels
Picking or peeling off gel nails is a surefire way to damage your nails. The urge to pick and peel the polish off is understandable, but doing so can cause layers of your nail to come off with it. This can lead to nails that are dry, thin, brittle, and prone to snagging and
The proper way to remove gel nails is to first break the seal of the gel with a nail file. Then, soak a cotton ball in acetone-based polish remover and secure it to your nail with adhesive tape. After about 10 minutes, the gel should be ready to flake off with the help of a nail file.
If you are experiencing peeling or flaking nails after removing gel nails, you can restore them to health by rehydrating them with cuticle oil and hand cream. Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment, while the cream locks in moisture. You can also try soaking your nails in olive oil for about 10 to 15 minutes daily.
To keep your nails strong and healthy, it is recommended to keep them short and rounded while they recover. This will help prevent breakage and snagging. Buffing your nails with a nail buffer can also help smooth out any ridges and uneven edges, while promoting blood circulation and strengthening nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel manicures can cause nails to become dry, brittle, thin, and prone to splitting. Nails may also have ridges and other uneven edges.
You can use a nail moisturizer, a hand lotion, or cuticle oil.
You can use a clear nail strengthener, or a colored polish with a strengthening formula. You can also try keratin gloves, which can be purchased at a beauty supply store or online.
Keep your nails short and rounded while they recover. Eat a healthy diet with sufficient amounts of protein, biotin, and calcium. Avoid cutting your cuticles, as they protect new nails that are growing.
First, 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 an adhesive like tape.
