Ava Monroe
Gel manicures are beloved for their glossy, chip-free finish, but they can be high-maintenance. As your natural nails grow, a gap will start to form between the nail bed and the gel polish, which can be unsightly. This is a good time to get creative with nail art, but if you're not a fan of the look, there are several things you can do to prolong the life of your manicure or remove the gel polish safely at home.
What to do when your gel nails grow out
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to remove gel nails at home | File down the surface of your gel polish to remove shine, then saturate a cotton ball or pad with acetone and press it on top of the nail. Proceed with wrapping your cotton-adorned fingertip tightly with a square piece of tinfoil. Wait 15 minutes, then remove the tinfoil and cotton and lightly push away any leftover gel polish with a cuticle pusher. |
| How to prevent damage to natural nails | Do not rip, pick or bite the gel off your nails as it can take off layers of your natural nail bed underneath. File in one direction and do not saw the file back and forth, as that can lead to splits and tears. |
| How to prolong the life of your gel manicure | File down the lengths of your nails, apply cuticle oil daily, and try your hand at some nail art by dabbing glittery polish lightly into the area where the product has grown out by the cuticle. |
| How to hide growth gaps | Try a negative space manicure, which incorporates your natural nail into the design of your manicure, or fill the gap with regular nail polish. |
| How often to get a gel manicure | Gel nails typically last between 2 and 4 weeks, but this depends on the individual. |
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What You'll Learn
File down the length of your nails, but not the edge
When your gel manicure starts to grow out, it can be frustrating if you can't get to a nail salon to have it removed or touched up. However, there are some steps you can take at home to prolong your manicure.
If you want to file down the length of your nails, it's important not to file the edge of your nail, as this can damage your nails. Instead, file the polish that is on top of your nail bed. Filing your nails to shorten them is fine, but make sure to file in one direction and not back and forth, as this can lead to splits and tears. You can let your nails grow out and file them down every week or so to keep them at your desired length.
If you notice any lifting, it is best to visit your nail technician for a refill or removal, as letting your nails grow out can cause them to become weak and brittle due to exposure to water and air, potentially damaging your natural nails. However, if you can't get to a salon for a professional refill, you can try to hide any obvious growth gaps with a little pop of regular nail polish. For block colours, simply pair your regular polish with your manicured gel polish colour and fill the gap. With patterned nails, you can extend the pattern onto your natural nail with regular polish or choose the most prominent colour from the design and fill the gap with that. For a bolder look, you could even fill the gap with a contrasting colour to create a statement design.
Another option to try when your gel nails start to grow out is a negative space manicure, which will help blend the artificial and natural nails together. This is a great choice if you have a busy schedule and can't always get to the nail salon, or if you prefer a low-maintenance look for your nails. Negative space manicures incorporate your natural nail into the design of your manicure, so when your gel regrowth gap starts to form, it just looks like part of the design.
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Try a negative space manicure
Negative space manicures are a great way to blend artificial and natural nails together. This style involves splashes of colour with your bare nail peeking through. The classic look includes a nude base with a contrasting design on top. For example, a French manicure can be a negative space manicure, as can a cut-out shape or even swirl or abstract designs.
To try a negative space manicure at home, first prep your nails by filing them into your desired shape and buffing them to create a smooth canvas for your nail art. Then, apply a clear or nude base coat. Once it's dry, it's time to paint. An old eyeliner brush will allow you to draw a narrower line than a traditional polish brush. Make the space as narrow or thick as you like, leaving room for dotting, gems, and other nail art. If you want to add an extra element, you can raise the outline with resin so that it becomes 3D.
Negative space manicures are a good option for those who want to avoid the damage that can be caused by removing gel nails. When gel nails are removed improperly, they can weaken and damage your natural nails, and leave you susceptible to bacteria and fungal infections.
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Use a classic French manicure
If you're looking for a way to disguise the regrowth of your gel manicure, a classic French manicure is a great option. This style typically uses a neutral or transparent gel colour for most of the design, with colour at the tip of the nail. As your natural nails begin to grow, the regrowth gap will be hardly noticeable.
To achieve this look, you can follow these steps:
- Start by gently pushing back your cuticles. This will create more space for the manicure and ensure a neat finish.
- Apply a base coat to your nails. This will help the polish adhere better and protect your nails from staining.
- Paint the tips of your nails with a thin layer of white polish. You can use nail guides or French manicure stickers to create a precise, straight line.
- Let the white polish dry completely. This is important to avoid smudging when you apply the next colour.
- Apply a neutral or transparent gel colour to the rest of your nail, leaving a thin gap between the white tip and the start of the colour. This gap will help create the illusion of longer, more slender nails.
- Finish with a clear top coat to add shine and protect your manicure.
If you're not ready to remove your gel manicure but want to switch up your nail colour, a French manicure is a simple and elegant solution. It's a timeless look that will seamlessly blend your natural nail growth with the gel manicure.
Remember, it's important to care for your natural nails during and after gel manicures. Keep your nails hydrated with cuticle oil, and if they need extra TLC, try a repairing treatment. Additionally, avoid the temptation to rip, pick, or bite the gel off your nails, as this can damage your natural nail bed.
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Avoid ripping, picking or biting the gel off
Ripping, picking or biting off your gel nails can be extremely damaging to your natural nails. This method of removing gel nails can take off layers of your natural nail bed underneath.
If you are tempted to rip, pick or bite your gel nails off, it is likely that you are unhappy with the appearance of your grown-out gel nails. There are several things you can do to address this issue without causing damage to your natural nails. One option is to visit a professional nail technician for a refill or a removal. Alternatively, you can try to incorporate the design of the gel nails into your natural nail plate. For example, you can try a negative space manicure, which will help blend the artificial and natural nails together. If you have a French gel manicure, the colour-to-nail bed contrast may not be very noticeable as your nails grow out. You can also try a classic French manicure or an ombre design with regular nail polish to hide the growth gap.
If you are looking for a quick fix, you can try dabbing a glittery polish lightly into the area where the product has grown out by the cuticle. The texture of the glitter will conceal the seam between the gel and your natural nail. You can also try to file your nails down to keep the length where you want it. However, it is important to be careful when filing your nails, as filing can damage your natural nails if the file touches them. Therefore, it is recommended to file in one direction only and not to saw the file back and forth, as that can lead to splits and tears.
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Visit a professional nail technician
Visiting a professional nail technician is always the best option when your gel nails start to grow out. They will be able to advise on the best course of action and carry out any necessary treatments to ensure your nails remain healthy and strong. While it can be tempting to pick, bite, or pull at your gel nails, this can cause significant damage to your natural nail bed underneath. Therefore, it is always best to leave the removal or maintenance of gel nails to a professional.
A trained nail technician will be able to assess the condition of your nails and recommend the best course of action. If your gel nails are still mostly intact, with no lifting or chipping, the technician may suggest a gel overlay to extend the life of your manicure. This involves applying a fresh coat of gel polish to the grown-out area, blending it with the existing colour. This option is ideal if you want to maintain your gel nails and avoid the hassle of removal.
If your gel nails are starting to lift or chip, the technician will likely recommend a removal or refill. They will have the skills and tools to safely remove the gel polish without damaging your natural nails. This process typically involves filing down the surface of the gel polish to remove the shine, and then using acetone and a cuticle pusher to gently lift the gel from your nails. After removal, your technician may recommend a repairing treatment or cuticle oil to nourish and strengthen your nails.
In addition to their technical skills, a professional nail technician can also provide guidance on nail care and maintenance. They can offer advice on how to prolong the life of your gel manicure, such as daily conditioning with cuticle oil and avoiding water and strenuous activities that can impact the longevity of your manicure. By following their expert advice, you can maintain healthy and beautiful nails, even in between salon visits.
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Frequently asked questions
After two to three weeks, you may notice a visible gap between the natural nail plate and the artificial gel layer. You may also see that the edges of the gel are lifting. Another sign is a change in the nail shape.
If you notice any lifting, it is best to visit your nail technician for a refill or removal. You can also try to incorporate the design into your natural nail plate. A negative space manicure will help blend the artificial and natural nails together.
Yes, you can file them down to keep them at your desired length. However, be careful not to saw the file back and forth as that can lead to splits and tears. Only file in one direction.
First, gently file down the surface of your gel polish to remove shine. Then, saturate a cotton ball with acetone and wrap your fingertip with a piece of tinfoil. Wait 15 minutes, then remove the tinfoil and cotton and push away any leftover gel polish with a cuticle pusher.
Try a negative space manicure, where the natural nail is incorporated into the design. This way, when your gel regrowth gap starts to form, it will look like part of the design.
