Ava Monroe
Gel manicures can be a fun way to keep your nails looking shiny and chip-free for weeks. However, without proper care, they can leave your nails dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. To maintain nail health and keep your gel manicure looking its best, it's important to follow some simple dos and don'ts of gel nail aftercare. So, what should you avoid doing after getting gel nails?
What not to do after gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Picking and peeling the polish off | This can cause layers of your nail to come off with it |
| Using your nails as tools | Avoid using your nails to open soda cans, peel stickers, or pry things open |
| Excessive hand sanitizer use | Hand sanitizer can dry out your nails and cause lifting |
| Excessive heat | Minimise exposure to heat from hot water in showers or when doing dishes as it can weaken the gel's bond to your nail |
| Cutting or filing your gel nails yourself | Leave this to professionals to avoid throwing off the balance and structure of your nails |
| Exposure to water and chemicals | Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to protect your nails |
| Lack of moisture | Moisturise your nails and cuticles to prevent them from turning brittle |
| Lack of vitamins and nourishment | Apply cuticle oil to deliver vitamins and nourishment to your nails |
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What You'll Learn
Don't use your nails as tools
Gel manicures can leave your nails looking and feeling amazing, but they can also cause damage. Nails become accustomed to the protective gel coating, which keeps them from breaking, so your everyday lifestyle could cause breakage. Nails can become dry, brittle, and thin, and are prone to snagging and breaking.
So, what should you avoid doing after a gel manicure? Well, one of the most important things is to not use your nails as tools. This means no opening cans, peeling stickers, or using your nails for any other similar tasks. Your nails are not meant for these kinds of activities, and using them as tools can cause chipping, lifting, or even infections. Gel nails are a beauty investment, and you want them to stay chip-free and glossy for as long as possible. By avoiding using your nails as tools, you can help prevent premature peeling or damage and maintain the strength of your nails.
It's also important to note that if you do use your nails as tools and cause chipping or lifting, this can expose your nails to water and chemicals, which are the "arch-enemies" of gel nails. So, not only could you damage the gel manicure, but you could also be causing further issues for your natural nails.
If you're tempted to use your nails for tasks like opening cans, try to find an alternative. For example, you could use a bottle opener or a pair of scissors to open a can, or you could use your fingers to gently peel stickers instead of your nails. It's also a good idea to wear gloves when doing chores or tasks that involve your hands, especially if they involve water or harsh chemicals. This will help protect your gel manicure and your natural nails from damage.
In summary, after getting a gel manicure, it's important to treat your nails with care and avoid using them as tools. By taking some simple precautions, you can help keep your nails looking and feeling their best.
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Avoid water and chemicals
Water and chemicals are the arch-nemeses of gel nails. When doing household chores, it is best to wear gloves to protect your nails from water damage and harsh cleaning products.
It is important to keep your nails dry, especially when washing dishes or cleaning. Gloves are essential in these situations, as they will keep your nails from becoming brittle and prevent the polish from lifting.
You should also be mindful of hand sanitiser use, as it can dry out your nails and cause lifting. Minimise the use of hot water in the shower or when doing the dishes, as excessive heat can weaken the gel's bond to your nail.
When applying lotion or oil, avoid the nail surface and only apply it to the surrounding skin and cuticle area. Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment, while the cream will lock in moisture.
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Don't cut your cuticles
Gel manicures can leave your nails brittle, dry, and thin. Post-gel nails are prone to breakage, peeling, and flaking. While you may be tempted to cut your cuticles to achieve a clean look, doing so can do more harm than good.
Your cuticles are there to protect your nails from bacteria and infection. Cutting them compromises this defence mechanism, leaving your nail bed vulnerable to bacteria and fungus. As Jin Soon Choi, a professional artist and beauty brand founder, notes, "the more you cut them, the more your body will think they need to be produced, which leads to their growing back even thicker."
Cutting your cuticles can also lead to peeling and ragged skin within a few days. Instead of cutting them, you should only use cuticle nippers to trim down hangnails or snagged skin to prevent them from ripping on their own. As celebrity nail artist Stephanie Stone advises, "when it comes to your live skin, care is always better than cutting."
To maintain healthy nails, it is best to leave your cuticles alone and focus on rehabilitating your nails after gel manicures. This includes using cuticle oils and hand creams to rehydrate your nails and prevent dryness.
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Don't pick or peel the polish off
Gel manicures can be a fun look, but they can also cause dry, brittle nails. It is important to resist the urge to pick and peel the polish off. When you pick and peel the polish off, layers of your nail can come off with it. Nails are made up of dead skin, particularly a protein called keratin, which is the same thing that makes up hair. Nails can become dry and brittle, just like hair after too much colour or styling.
To prevent this, you can treat your nails with products like moisturisers after the manicure. Nails also lose moisture faster than the rest of the skin. Rehydrate them by using cuticle oil like Essie Apricot cuticle oil and hand cream like C.O. Bigelow chapped hands remedy, especially after washing your hands. Avoid extremes of very dry or very hydrated. It is also recommended to keep your nails short while they recover from a gel manicure as they will be more prone to breaking or snagging.
Additionally, it is important to note that water and chemicals are the arch-nemeses of gel nails. So, when washing dishes or cleaning, gloves are essential. Also, avoid using hand sanitiser too often, as it dries out your nails and can cause lifting.
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Don't use hand sanitiser
While gel manicures are long-lasting and shiny, they can leave your nails brittle, dry, and thin without proper care. Here's why you should avoid using hand sanitiser after getting a gel manicure:
Hand sanitisers can dry out your skin and nails. This is because hand sanitisers are designed to remove dirt, grease, and other debris from the skin and nails. While this has the positive effect of killing bacteria, it can also strip away natural oils that help keep your nails and skin moisturised. This can be especially damaging to your nails if they are already dry and brittle from the gel manicure.
Additionally, some hand sanitisers contain moisturisers or additives that can leave a residue on your nails. This residue can interfere with the gel polish and cause it to lift or peel. Therefore, it is recommended to use hand sanitisers sparingly and to opt for high-quality hand sanitisers that are less likely to leave a residue.
To maintain the health of your nails after a gel manicure, it is important to rehydrate them using cuticle oil and hand cream. However, it is recommended to avoid extremes of very dry or very hydrated conditions. Instead, opt for oils that absorb better into the nail beds, and use creams to create an occlusive barrier so that moisture is sealed in.
Finally, it is worth noting that hand sanitisers are not a replacement for proper hand washing. While they can be used as an additional measure of protection, hand washing with liquid soap and warm water is still the preferred method of hand hygiene. Therefore, if you are looking to protect your gel manicure, it is best to avoid hand sanitisers and opt for proper hand washing techniques instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Do not use your nails as tools. Your nails are not meant to open soda cans or peel stickers.
Avoid hand sanitiser as it dries out your nails and can cause lifting.
Avoid excessive heat as it can weaken the gel's bond to your nail. Minimise contact with hot water, and always wear gloves when doing the dishes or other housework.
Do not cut or file your gel nails yourself, leave that to the professionals.
Do not pick or peel the gel polish off, as layers of your nail can come off with it.
