Caleb Foster
Gel manicures can leave your nails damaged, thin, dry, brittle, and prone to splitting. This is usually due to incorrect product application and removal techniques. To repair your nails, you can use cuticle oil, followed by a hand cream. You can also soak your nails in olive oil for about 10 to 15 minutes daily. If you want to strengthen your nails, you can use a nail strengthener, such as OPI's Repair Mode, which repairs broken keratin bonds.
How to repair nails after builder gel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Ensure your manicurist isn't using an electric file and don't peel nails. |
| Removal | Use acetone and nourish with an oil afterward. |
| Nail strengthener | Apply a coat of nail strengthener daily for seven days. |
| Cuticle oil | Apply cuticle oil to nails and skin twice a day. |
| Hand cream | Apply a heavy-duty hand cream after cuticle oil. |
| Moisturizing | Keep a bottle of lotion beside every sink in your house and use it after washing your hands. |
| Natural remedies | Use natural ingredients like cucumber, apple, and lemon to create a mix that strengthens the nails. |
| Professional products | Use professional products like IBX System to repair damaged nails. |
| Natural oils | Use natural oils like castor oil, tea tree oil, and argan oil to repair and strengthen nails. |
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What You'll Learn
Use cuticle oil and hand cream
Using cuticle oil and hand cream is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to repair damaged nails after a gel manicure. Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment, and the cream locks in moisture. Moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage.
Manicurist Rita Remark recommends applying cuticle oil, spending a full minute massaging it into the cuticles, and then following up with a hand cream. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann concurs, adding that you should use less oil than you think is necessary and avoid washing your hands for 20 minutes after application to allow for absorption.
You can also try a natural nail conditioner, such as a mixture of grated cucumber and apple with fresh lemon juice, which you leave on for a few minutes and repeat every day or every other day.
To maintain the strength of your nails after a treatment, use a product like OPI's Nail Envy, which can be worn alone or as a base coat. OPI's global ambassador, Harriet Westmoreland, recommends using a cuticle oil or rich hand cream regularly to keep the nail plate conditioned and hydrated.
If you're looking for a natural approach, castor oil can help repair nails after a gel manicure. It contains unique ricinoleic acid, which has an antibacterial effect, strengthens nail plates, improves moisture levels, and makes nails harder and more resistant to damage.
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Try a nail-strengthening treatment
While gel manicures offer long-lasting colour that doesn't chip, they can damage your nails, especially if they aren't removed properly. This damage can be caused by incorrect product application and removal techniques, such as over-filing the natural nail with an electric or hand file.
To repair this damage, you can try a nail-strengthening treatment. One option is to use a product like OPI's Nail Envy, which can be worn alone or as a base coat under regular nail polish to protect nails against breaking, chipping, peeling, and splitting. You can also try OPI's new Repair Mode nail strengthener, which uses technology to repair broken bonds from inside the nail. Apply it morning and night for hydrated, strong, and healthy nails.
Another option is to use a natural nail conditioner, which can be purchased or made at home. A good store-bought conditioner should be formulated without formaldehyde and other toxic substances and should instead contain ingredients essential for damaged nails, such as proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. IBX System is a professional product recommended for fixing very damaged nails after gel manicures. If you're looking for a DIY option, you can grate a cucumber and an apple, add fresh lemon juice, smooth the mixture over your nails, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Repeat this treatment every day or every other day.
In addition to nail-strengthening treatments, you can also try to keep your nails short and softly shaped so that the corners don't snap off. This will help prevent further damage and allow your nails to heal.
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Avoid salons with cheap products
While gel manicures offer benefits such as longevity, gloss, and resistance to chipping, they can weaken your nails over time, making them thinner and more susceptible to damage. The process of application and removal is often the cause of this, especially if your manicurist uses an electric file or if you peel the nails off.
To repair nail damage after a gel manicure, you can use cuticle oil and hand cream to restore moisture, or try natural remedies such as fruit and vegetable purees or essential oils. However, when choosing a salon or technician, it is important to be cautious of extremely cheap options. While affordable services may be tempting, they often come with hidden costs that can end up causing more harm than good.
Cheap salons often use substandard products that require excessive filing or roughening of the natural nail to ensure the product adheres properly. This can lead to over-filing, causing significant damage to your nails. The filing process can weaken the nail surface, and when done excessively, it can leave your nails thin, dry, brittle, and prone to splitting.
To avoid this, opt for reputable nail technicians or salons that prioritize healthy natural nails. Look for professionals who take the time to properly assess your nail health and recommend suitable treatments. While it may be more costly upfront, investing in quality services will save you from dealing with the consequences of poorly executed manicures and potentially costly repairs down the line.
Additionally, you can minimize nail damage by ensuring your manicurist does not use an electric file and by properly removing your gel nails with acetone and nourishing oils.
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Soak nails in olive oil
While gel manicures have their benefits, they can damage your nails, especially if they are not removed properly. Incorrect product application and removal techniques can cause damage to the nail surface, ultimately weakening the nails.
One way to repair your nails after a builder gel manicure is to soak them in olive oil. This method has gained popularity on TikTok, with users reporting stronger and longer nails.
To soak your nails in olive oil, start by pouring a couple of tablespoons of olive oil into a glass bowl. You can also add a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice to create a concoction. Place your fingers into the bowl and move them around to ensure your fingernails are fully submerged in the oil. Soak your nails for about 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat this process twice a week for the best results.
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, vitamin A, and antioxidants, which help to strengthen nails and make them appear healthier and shinier. Soaking your nails in olive oil helps to retain moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, reducing breakage and allowing your nails to grow to their full potential.
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Moisturise your hands
Gel manicures can leave your nails damaged, thin, dry, brittle, and prone to splitting. This is usually due to incorrect product application and removal techniques. To repair your nails after a gel manicure, moisturising your hands is key.
Harriet Westmoreland, influential manicurist and OPI's global ambassador, recommends using a cuticle oil or rich hand cream regularly to keep the nail plate conditioned and hydrated. She suggests trying OPI's Nail Envy, which can be worn alone or as a strengthening base coat under regular nail polish to protect nails against breaking, chipping, peeling, and splitting.
You can also try Fenty Skin Hand Mask, a rich hand cream that can help repair damaged nails. Another option is JUARA hand cream, which is also recommended for restoring damaged nails.
In addition to using hand creams, you can try natural remedies to moisturise your hands and repair your nails. For example, castor oil contains unique ricinoleic acid, which has an antibacterial effect, strengthens nail plates, and improves moisture levels. Tea tree oil is another natural option, known for its antifungal properties, making it ideal for treating nail fungus and weak, damaged nails. Argan oil is a rich source of vitamin E, which can repair and strengthen nails while promoting cellular renewal.
To prevent future damage, it is important to find a reputable nail technician or salon that prioritises healthy natural nails.
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Frequently asked questions
To repair nails after a builder gel manicure, you can use a nail strengthener, a protein-enriched base, and a top coat designed to strengthen nails. You can also try a keratin treatment to help strengthen the nail and prevent it from peeling, splitting, or breaking. Additionally, you can apply cuticle oil followed by a hand cream to repair and hydrate your nails.
Some recommended products to repair nails after a builder gel manicure include OPI's Nail Envy and Repair Mode nail strengthener, CND Rescue RXx Daily Keratin Treatment, and Protein F. You can also try natural remedies such as castor oil, tea tree oil, or argan oil to help repair and strengthen nails.
To prevent nail damage from builder gel manicures in the future, ensure that your manicurist is not using an electric file as this can cause damage to the nail surface. Additionally, do not peel off the gel polish, and if you need to remove it, use acetone and nourish your nails with oil afterward. It is also recommended to keep your nails short and softly shaped to prevent the corners from snapping off.
