Sophia Delgado
While gel nail polish can be damaging to nails, there are ways to reduce the risk of damage and keep your nails healthy. Before a gel manicure, it is important to ensure your nails are strong enough and to ask your manicurist about the sterilization of their tools. When removing gel nail polish, you should use plastic food wrap instead of foil to create a tighter seal and avoid dripping. You should also only soak your fingertips in acetone and use a mild soap to wash your hands afterward.
How to Safely Use Gel Nail Polish
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Before Application | |
| Ask Manicurists | Ask your manicurist if their tools are sterilized and ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting tools after every client. |
| 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. |
| Application | |
| Use Compatible Products | Use products that are compatible with each other, such as the same brand of gel polish, base coat, top coat, and lamp. |
| Use Proper Technique | Use a nail buffer to prepare your nail's surface by gently filing and buffing away imperfections. |
| Removal | |
| Protect Your Skin | Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the surrounding skin to protect your skin from acetone. |
| Use Proper Tools | Cut up cotton pads into squares that will fit your nail and soak them in acetone. Wrap your nails with foil to ensure only your nails come into contact with the acetone. |
| After Removal | |
| Wash Hands | Wash your hands with a gentle, fragrance-free soap and water to remove the acetone. |
| Rehydrate Nails | Apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly or cuticle oil, to your nails and cuticles to minimize brittleness and prevent chipping. |
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What You'll Learn
Protect your skin from acetone
To protect your skin from acetone when using gel nail polish, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline to your cuticles and the surrounding skin. This will act as a protective barrier, preventing the acetone from coming into direct contact with your skin. Additionally, use cotton balls or strips that are cut to the size of each nail. This ensures that only the nails are exposed to acetone, reducing the risk of skin irritation and damage.
When removing gel nail polish, opt for plastic food wrap instead of aluminium foil. The plastic wrap creates a tighter seal, reducing the chances of acetone dripping onto your skin. Leave the plastic wrap on for about 10 minutes, then gently remove any remaining polish with a warm, wet washcloth, being careful to rub only the nail and avoid the surrounding skin. Wash your hands with gentle, fragrance-free soap and water to remove any residual acetone.
If you have sensitive skin or prefer an alternative to acetone, consider using a product remover, which is known to be gentler on the skin. You can also try solar oil, which can be applied to the skin around the nails to provide additional protection.
It is worth noting that acetone is a common ingredient in nail polish removers, and while it is effective, it can be harsh and drying to the skin. Always exercise caution when using acetone, and if you experience any irritation or allergies, discontinue use immediately and consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional.
To further protect your skin during the gel manicure process, consider applying sunscreen to your hands before placing them under the curing lamp. The UV radiation used to seal gel nail polish can contribute to premature skin ageing and increase your risk of skin cancer. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
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Avoid UV exposure
While gel nail polish can last for weeks without chipping, dermatologists have raised concerns about the potential harm caused by the UV exposure from curing lamps. This cumulative UV exposure increases your risk of skin cancer and can lead to premature skin ageing.
To protect your hands from UV radiation, it is recommended to apply sunscreen before your gel manicure. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and ensure it contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Apply the sunscreen to your hands and allow it to absorb into the skin before beginning the nail-painting process.
Additionally, you can wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off before applying the gel nail polish. This provides a physical barrier between the UV light and your skin, reducing direct exposure.
After applying the gel nail polish, avoid using a nail clipper as it can break the seal at the tip, causing the polish to peel off. Instead, use a medium-grit nail file to maintain the desired nail shape and prepare your nails for new polish.
By following these precautions, you can minimise the potential risks associated with UV exposure during the application and removal of gel nail polish.
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Don't pick at gel polish
When the colour begins to come off, don't pick at the gel polish or use other nails or tools to remove it. You might pick off the top layer of the nail plate, ultimately making it thinner and prone to cracking, breaking and odd textures. This can take months to reverse as you wait for the healthy nail to grow out.
Instead, make an appointment with your manicurist to have the polish removed. Only soak your fingertips in acetone. When having the nail polish removed, only soak your fingertips in acetone instead of your whole hands or fingers to protect the surrounding skin. You can also use cotton balls to remove the polish. Soak the cotton balls in acetone and apply them to your nails by wrapping small pieces of aluminium foil around your fingertips. This will ensure that only your nails come into contact with the acetone. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come right off.
If you want to remove the gel nail polish at home, Dr. Lipner recommends using plastic food wrap rather than foil. When wrapped around your nails, plastic creates a tighter seal than foil, so the acetone is less likely to drip. Leave the plastic wrap on for 10 minutes. When you remove the plastic wrap, most or all of the gel nail polish should be gone. Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you’ve just run under warm water. Use the wet washcloth to gently rub off any remaining polish. Take care to rub only the nail and avoid rubbing the surrounding skin. Wash your hands or feet with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone. If you have a fragrance-free soap, use it. Any mild soap will help you avoid irritating your skin. Gently rub petroleum jelly into your cuticles and the skin around your nails every day for seven days. This will help to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
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Use a nail buffer
Using a nail buffer is an important step in achieving a smooth and glossy finish when applying gel nail polish. However, it is crucial to use the correct technique and tools to avoid damaging your nails.
Firstly, it is recommended to use a 180-grit file or a 100-120 grit buffer block. A buffer with a grit lower than 180 may make your nails too smooth, creating a surface that is not ideal for the gel polish to adhere to. When choosing a buffer block, opt for one with a grit of 100 or 120, as these are rougher and less likely to damage your nails compared to emery files.
Before buffing, ensure your nails are free of any leftover polish or flakes, as these can prevent the gel from applying smoothly. When buffing, use light pressure and pay close attention to the sidewalls and free edge of your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nails to effectively smoothen the area between your nail and cuticle. This process will create a slightly rough surface, enhancing the gel's adhesion and preventing bumps from previous applications.
It is important to remember that over-buffing can weaken your nails, so it is recommended to limit buffing to once a month. Additionally, always follow up with cuticle oil or a moisturising product to nourish and protect your nails.
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Ask manicurists about hygiene
When it comes to gel nail polish, it's important to be proactive about hygiene to ensure the safety and health of your nails. Here are some detailed tips on what to ask your manicurist about hygiene to achieve this:
Ask about tool sterilisation and disinfection: Inquire about the sterilisation process of the tools they use. Ask if they clean and disinfect their tools after each client. It's crucial to ensure that the manicurist is following proper sanitation procedures to prevent the spread of bacteria and infections.
Inquire about cuticle care: Ask the manicurist about their approach to cuticle care. A good manicurist should never push or cut your cuticles, as this can lead to inflammation and infection. Instead, they should apply a product like petroleum jelly to protect and moisturise the cuticles.
Understand their polish removal process: Discuss how they remove gel nail polish. A safe method involves soaking only the fingertips in acetone, protecting the surrounding skin. Ask if they use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrapped in foil, which helps control acetone exposure. Inquire about the duration of the soak and how they handle any remaining polish. Ensure they don't use tools to forcefully remove the polish, as this can damage your nails.
Question their nail care practices: Ask the manicurist about their recommendations for nail care between gel manicures. They should suggest hydrating your nails and cuticles with a moisturising product several times daily to minimise brittleness and prevent chipping. Inquire about any specific products they recommend and how often you should apply them.
Discuss UV protection: Since gel manicures involve UV exposure, ask your manicurist about their recommendations for protecting your hands from UV light during the curing process. They may suggest applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your hands before the curing process begins. Ensure they offer this as part of their service or allow you to apply it yourself.
Remember, it's essential to be informed and proactive about the hygiene practices of your manicurist. Don't hesitate to ask questions and ensure they are following safe and healthy procedures. Your nail health and overall well-being are important.
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