Ava Monroe
Acrylic nails are a fun way to add length and style to your nails, but they can leave your natural nails weak, thin, and brittle. The removal process can also be damaging, so it's important to take the time to strengthen your nails and get them back to their pre-acrylic state. Here are some tips to help you care for your nails after removing acrylics: cut your nails short, use a nail hardener, file and buff them, apply conditioning cuticle oils and serums, and use a nail repair kit for broken nails or hangnails.
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What You'll Learn
File and buff nails to reduce breakage
After removing acrylic nails, your natural nails may feel thin, brittle, and dry. To reduce breakage, it is essential to file and buff your nails properly. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:
Filing Nails:
Firstly, ensure your nails are clean and free of any nail polish. Using a nail clipper, trim your nails straight across if they extend past your fingertips. This will make the filing process easier. When filing, use a glass nail file or a crystal nail file, as these are gentler on your nails. Avoid using a regular emery board, as it can be damaging.
Hold the nail file at a slight 45-degree angle, parallel to your nail tip. Avoid holding the file perpendicular to your nail to prevent splitting. Start filing from one corner of your nail, following its curve, and slide the file to the other corner in a single direction. Lift the file and slide it back to the starting point. Repeat this process for each nail, shaping them as desired. Remember to file in one direction only, as filing back and forth can cause breakage and splitting.
Buffing Nails:
After filing, use a multi-sided nail buffer to buff your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail, with the large grit side facing down. Use unidirectional strokes and buff your nail gently in an X shape. Avoid buffing side-to-side, as the friction can create heat, drying out and damaging your nails.
Once you've finished buffing, use the finer grit or polish side of the buffer to remove any imperfections and make your nails even smoother. Again, use the same X-shaped strokes as before. Finally, use the shine side of the buffer to give your nails a healthy-looking gloss. Remember to be gentle throughout the buffing process, and avoid over-buffing, as it can weaken your nails.
By following these steps for filing and buffing, you will help reduce breakage and promote the health and strength of your nails after removing acrylics.
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Use nail hardeners and strengtheners
Acrylic nails can leave your natural nails thin, brittle, dry, and prone to breakage. To restore their strength and shape, nail hardeners and strengtheners are essential.
Celebrity nail technician Sunshine recommends Rejuvacote from Duri. Apply it every day for two weeks, then reduce the application to once a week for a couple of months. You can use polish over it and continue to use it as a top coat.
Another top-performing nail hardener is the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener. It creates a strengthening coat on bare nails to help fight typical post-acrylic issues like splitting, cracking, and breakage. Reapply it weekly to ensure maximum efficacy. This formula also contains hydrolyzed wheat proteins to repair frayed nails and has a translucent colour, making it great for wearing on its own or layering under traditional nail polish.
In between manicures, you can use Ella + Mila's First Aid Kiss nail strengthener. It is vitamin E-infused and free of harsh chemicals.
If you still want to wear nail polish after removing your acrylics, use a base coat that will fortify your nail beds against breakage and splitting. The Sundays Base Coat B.03 is enriched with both keratin and amino acids, which are vital for adding strength back to damaged nails.
To promote nail growth and rejuvenation, keep your hands and nails hydrated. Focus on moisturising your cuticles and nails with natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil, or a specially formulated cuticle balm. Apply hand cream at least three times a day and massage oils or cuticle balm into your nails nightly.
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Keep nails hydrated and nourished
After removing acrylic nails, your natural nails may feel weak, thin, and dehydrated. To restore your nails to their pre-acrylic state, it is important to keep them hydrated and nourished.
Firstly, focus on keeping your cuticles nourished and supple. Apply moisturiser or natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil to your cuticles and nails. You can also use a specially formulated cuticle balm. Apply hand cream at least three times a day and massage oils or cuticle balm into your nails nightly.
Secondly, ensure you are consuming enough water. Drinking water is essential to keep your body and nails hydrated.
Thirdly, consider taking supplements. Include collagen-rich foods in your diet, such as leafy greens, salmon, nuts, and seeds. You can also consult your physician about taking collagen and vitamin Biotin supplements to promote nail health.
Finally, use nail hardeners and strengtheners to restore strength and shape to your nails. Apply these products regularly and reapply weekly to ensure maximum efficacy.
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Avoid acetone and other chemicals
While acetone is a common chemical used to remove acrylic nails, it can be harmful to your nails and skin. Acetone can cause skin to become extremely dry and can also leave your nails and cuticles feeling dehydrated and brittle. As such, regular exposure to acetone can be damaging, and it is best to avoid it if possible.
If you are removing your acrylic nails, there are alternative methods that do not involve acetone. You can use an acetone-free nail polish remover, which will take longer but will be less harsh on your nails. Simply cut and file your nails first, and then soak them in the acetone-free nail polish remover for around 40 minutes.
Another option is to use cuticle oil. Soak a Q-tip or cotton ball in the oil and hold it against your nails for about five minutes, focusing on any areas that have already started to lift. This will loosen the nails and make them easier to remove. If you are using this method, be sure to have plenty of time, as it can also take around 40 minutes.
There are also other nail polish removers that do not contain acetone, such as Ella & Mila's soy polish remover, which can be used to remove your acrylic nails without drying out your nails or skin.
In addition to avoiding acetone when removing your acrylic nails, it is also important to avoid other chemicals that can be harsh on your nails. For example, dip powder contains acrylic and other chemicals that can be damaging to your nails. While gel manicures are not completely off-limits, it is important to ensure your nails are healthy first, as gel can still be damaging.
Overall, it is important to be gentle and careful when removing acrylic nails to avoid causing damage to your natural nails.
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Let nails grow out and regain strength
After removing acrylic nails, your natural nails may feel weak, thin, and brittle. To allow your nails to regain their strength, it is important to be patient and give them time to grow out healthier. Here are some tips to help you in the process:
Cut your nails short and start fresh. By cutting them down, you can build them back up and reduce the chances of breakage. This is especially important if your nails are chipped or flaky, as they will look better short while they recover.
Keep your nails unpolished for a period of intense hydration. Focus on nourishing your cuticles and nail beds with natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil, or a specially formulated cuticle balm. Apply these oils nightly and use hand cream at least three times a day to keep your cuticles supple and promote the growth of new and healthy nails.
Use nail strengtheners to fortify your nails and prevent breakage. Products like the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener provide a strengthening coat to bare nails, helping to fight post-acrylic issues like splitting, cracking, and breakage. Reapply these strengtheners weekly and consider using a strengthening base coat if you wish to apply nail colour.
File your nails regularly to maintain a neat appearance as they grow out. It is recommended to file your nails in one direction, starting at the corners and gently filing towards the centre using a glass file. This technique reduces damage and prevents rough edges that can lead to chipping.
Buff your nails to enhance their appearance and promote hydration. Use a three-way or four-way nail buffer to gently remove flakes and allow for better nutrient absorption. Follow the same one-direction approach as filing, focusing on the top of the nail bed and the free edge.
Maintain a healthy diet to support nail growth and strength. Include collagen-rich foods such as leafy greens, salmon, nuts, and seeds. You can also consider taking collagen and vitamin Biotin supplements, but be sure to consult with your physician first.
Remember, the key is to be patient and consistent with your nail care routine. By following these steps, you will help your nails grow out stronger and healthier after removing acrylics.
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Frequently asked questions
It is common for nails to become weak and brittle after the removal of acrylics. To combat this, you should focus on hydrating your nails and cuticles. Use natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil, or a specially formulated cuticle balm. You should also ensure you are drinking enough water.
You can use nail strengtheners and hardeners to help restore strength to your nails. OPI's Nail Envy Nail Strengthener is a top performer in the industry. You can also use a base coat enriched with keratin and amino acids, such as the Sundays Base Coat B.03.
You should always file your nails in one direction, from the corners to the centre, using a glass file. This will reduce damage and avoid a rough edge that can lead to chipping.
You should avoid using acetone-based nail polish removers as acetone will weaken your nails. Regular nail files are also damaging and should only be used in one direction. You should also avoid removing overgrown hyponychium (the skin underneath the nail bed) as this can lead to infection.
If you tackle the removal process carefully, you may not need to worry about strengthening your nails post-acrylics. However, if your nails feel weak or thin, it is recommended to take a break from manicures for a couple of weeks to allow your nails to recover.
