Noah Sinclair
While nails do not need to breathe between manicures, there are other reasons to occasionally leave them bare. Gel manicures can weaken your natural nails, especially if you don't get them properly removed by a professional and peel them off yourself. By peeling off the gel polish, you can peel off layers of your natural nail, causing pain and stripping the nails of their protective barrier. Other signs that you should take a break from gel nails include discolouration, inflamed red cuticles, cracks, and thin, flimsy nails. Experts recommend taking breaks between gel manicures, such as week-long breaks every eight weeks, to allow your nails to restore and build strength.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of gel manicures | Every three weeks |
| Reasons to take a break | To repair damage, restore strength, and rehydrate nails |
| Signs of damage | Fungal infection, discolouration, inflamed red cuticles, cracks, thinning, weakness, keratin granulation |
| Products to aid repair | Moisturiser, cuticle oil, nutrient-rich basecoat, OPI's Gel Break Restorative System |
| Recommended break frequency | Once every eight weeks, once every month or two, every three to four weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Gel nails can weaken your natural nails
While some sources claim that gel manicures are responsible for flaky nail beds, yellow nails, weakened nails, and skin damage, others disagree. According to one source, gel polish itself is unlikely to affect natural nails. In fact, it can make them even stronger by protecting them from the environment.
However, improper removal of gel polish can potentially weaken or damage your nails. If you peel the gel polish off directly, you can peel off layers of your natural nail underneath. This will not only be painful but will also strip the nails of their protective barrier, causing them to become flimsy. Additionally, gel manicures require you to expose your nails to UV rays from the curing lamp, which can weaken your nails and damage your skin.
To avoid nail damage, it is recommended to get gel polish removed by a professional. You can determine if your nails need a break by looking out for signs of damage such as a fungal infection, discolouration, inflamed red cuticles, or cracks on your nails. If you notice any of these issues, get them medically checked and resolved before applying gel polish again.
To keep your nails healthy, dermatologists recommend taking a break from gel manicures every three to four weeks. During this break, you can rehydrate your nails by applying a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day. This will help minimise brittleness and prevent your nails from chipping.
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Incorrect removal can damage the nail bed
Incorrect removal of gel nails can damage the nail bed. When removing gel nail polish, it is best to let your nails grow out. Clipping them once a week will help prevent the nails from catching on clothing and other objects. If you choose this option, you need to resist the urge to pick at your gel nail polish. Picking and scraping off the polish can damage your nails.
Board-certified dermatologist Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, FAAD, recommends using acetone to remove gel nail polish at home. However, it is important to note that acetone can damage sinks, countertops, and furniture, so it is important to protect your work area. Soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it on your nail, then wrap your nail with plastic food wrap to create a tight seal. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then gently rub off any remaining polish with a washcloth run under warm water.
It is important to avoid using gritty files or sanders to scrape off the gel nail polish, as this can cause tremendous and sometimes irreversible damage to the nail bed and cuticle matrix. Instead, if you must file your nails, use a coarse file to gently remove the top layer of gel polish. Do not attempt to remove all the colour, as this can lead to filing your actual nail.
To repair damaged nails, it is recommended to use cuticle or jojoba oil to promote blood flow and growth. You can also try taking biotin supplements for 4-6 months to see changes in your nails.
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Nails can become dehydrated and discoloured
While nails do not need to "breathe" between manicures, as they get their oxygen and nutrients from the blood supply and not the air, they can still become dehydrated and discoloured. Discolouration can occur when nails are in contact with excessive amounts of acetone, which can also cause them to become more bendy and susceptible to breakage. Dark or deeply pigmented nail polishes can also stain the natural nail underneath, and excessive polish use can cause nails to turn yellow.
To prevent discolouration, it is important to always apply a clear base coat, which will act as a protective barrier between the polish and the natural nail plate. Additionally, using a non-acetone remover can limit dehydration of the nail bed.
Nails can also become dehydrated from frequent exposure to water, such as through frequent hand washing or washing up without gloves. This can cause thin, flimsy nails, which is a key sign that it is time to take a break from gel nails. During breaks from manicures, it is important to keep nails hydrated and to resist the urge to pick at cuticles. Cuticle oil can be used to prevent further biting and picking, and to help nails grow back stronger and healthier.
It is recommended to take a break from gel nails every three to four weeks, or at least once every eight weeks, to help nails restore and build back some strength.
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Fungal infections and inflamed cuticles
While it is true that nails do not need to breathe as they get their oxygen and nutrients from the blood, there are still times when you should take a break from gel nails. One of these times is when you have a fungal infection.
Fungal infections can occur when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold. This can be caused by biting your nails or picking at your cuticles, which can create tiny cracks in the nails or cuts in the skin. It can also be caused by damage to the cuticle seal, which can happen when you trim your cuticles or use cuticle removers. The cuticle seal is needed to prevent germs from entering the skin and causing infection.
Fungal infections can also be caused by moisture buildup. Moisture can increase the risk of fungal infections, so it is important to keep your nails dry and use gloves when doing tasks involving prolonged water exposure.
In addition to fungal infections, you should also take a break from gel nails if you have inflamed cuticles. Inflamed cuticles can be caused by paronychia, which is a common nail condition that results from bacteria or fungus. It can also be caused by irritation from detergents and other chemicals, or from occupational or environmental exposures. Symptoms of paronychia include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, as well as skin that is red and warm to the touch.
To prevent and treat inflamed cuticles, it is important to keep your nails and cuticles moisturized. Cuticle oil can be used to keep your nails hydrated and promote healthy cell growth. It is recommended to use it twice a day by squeezing a drop onto each nail and massaging it into the nail plate and surrounding skin.
In summary, it is important to take a break from gel nails if you have a fungal infection or inflamed cuticles. By taking a break, you can allow your nails to restore and build back strength, as well as treat any underlying issues.
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Nails can become thin and flimsy
While nails do not need to "breathe" between manicures, as they get their oxygen and nutrients from the blood supply and not the air, there are other reasons to occasionally leave them bare. One of the most common signs that you should take a break from gel nails is if your nails become thin and flimsy.
Gel manicures can weaken your natural nails, especially if you don't get them properly removed by a professional and peel them off yourself. By peeling the gel polish off directly, you can peel off layers of your natural nail underneath, which can be painful and will strip the nails of their protective barrier, causing them to become flimsy. A 2012 study found that gel manicures cause thinning, although the reason for this is not yet known.
Additionally, if you are regularly exposing your nails to the UV rays from the curing lamp during gel manicures, this can weaken your nails. Removing gel polish also requires your nails to soak in acetone for up to fifteen minutes, and when natural nails are in contact with excessive amounts of acetone, they can lose their durability and become more bendy and susceptible to breakage.
If your nails are thin to begin with, they are more vulnerable to damage, and it will take longer for them to recover. It takes about six months for nails to fully regrow and regain their strength. To help your nails recover, you can apply cuticle oil daily to help them grow back stronger and healthier.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to take a break from gel nails every eight weeks, with a week-long break in between.
No, your nails do not need to "breathe" as they get their oxygen and nutrients from your blood. However, there are times when you may want to give your nails a break.
Some signs that indicate you need to take a break from gel nails are discolouration, inflamed red cuticles, cracks on your nails, thin nails, and dry cuticles.
During your break from gel nails, you should keep your nails moisturised and hydrated. You can use cuticle oil or a creamy moisturiser to help repair your nails.
