Liam Carter
Gel manicures are a long-lasting, high-shine, rock-hard nail finish that won't chip for weeks. However, they can be tough on nails and cause brittleness, peeling and cracking. To keep nails healthy, dermatologists recommend taking a break from polish and moisturising nails and cuticles with products such as cuticle oil, hand cream or petroleum jelly. If you're prone to nail breakage, a builder gel can add strength and thickness to your manicure, creating a hard, protective layer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Durability | Gel manicures are long-lasting, crack-proof, and don't chip easily |
| Aesthetics | High-shine finish |
| Health Impact | Can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking if not removed properly |
| Health Impact | Increases the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging due to UV radiation exposure |
| Maintenance | Requires proper removal using acetone and nourishing with oil |
| Maintenance | Avoid picking, peeling, or using other nails/tools to remove the polish |
| Maintenance | Moisturize hands and nails regularly to prevent dryness and repair damage |
| Maintenance | Wear gloves when performing tasks that can be rough on nails |
| Application | Requires sealing each coat with UV or LED light |
| Application | Use a complete system, including base coat, builder gel, colour coat, and top coat, for best results |
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What You'll Learn
Tips for maintaining nail health while using gel nail polish
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands. Here are some tips to maintain nail health while using gel nail polish:
Before the manicure:
- Ask your manicurist if their tools are sterilized, and ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting tools after every client.
- 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. This will protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish.
- Alternatively, wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off before your nail polish is applied.
During the manicure:
- Ensure your manicurist does not push or cut your cuticles, as this could lead to inflammation and infection.
- Avoid getting gel polish on your skin or cuticles. If this happens, clean it off before curing, using an Orangewood Cuticle Stick or a Nail Art Brush dipped in Nail Polish Remover.
After the manicure:
- Do not pick at the polish or use other nails or tools to remove it. Make an appointment with your manicurist to have the polish removed.
- When having the nail polish removed, only soak your fingertips in acetone instead of your whole hands or fingers to protect the surrounding skin. Alternatively, use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrapped in aluminum foil.
- Take breaks between gel manicures. Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails time to repair.
- Apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily to minimize brittleness and help prevent chipping.
Additional tips:
- If you have recurring nail problems or are allergic to acetone, consider traditional nail polish instead of gel polish.
- If you notice any unusual changes to your nails or have persistent nail problems, see a board-certified dermatologist.
- Consider getting a gel manicure for special occasions only.
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How to remove gel nail polish without damaging your nails
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing on the hands.
Don't pick or peel
Although it may be tempting to pick at and peel off your gel polish, this won't do your nails any favours. By doing this, you will pull away layers of your natural nails, leaving them thin, weak and prone to breakage.
Use a gel nail polish remover
Gel nail polish removers are simple to use, require fewer tools than the traditional method and they don't damage your nails. Apply a thick layer of gel polish remover to your gel nails. Try not to get it on your skin. Give the remover 5 minutes to soak into the gel nails. You'll see the edges of the gel polish start to peel, crack, bubble, or burst. If your gel polish is thick, you might need to wait a bit longer.
Use acetone
Acetone is an effective way to remove gel nail polish at home, but it can damage your nails if not used correctly. When removing gel nail polish from your fingernails, it is easier to work on one hand at a time. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect your skin from the acetone. Cut cotton balls or strips to the size of each nail. Soak each piece of cotton in acetone, then place it on top of the nail and wrap the nail with plastic food wrap. Leave the plastic wrap on for 10 minutes.
Take a break
In between gel manicures, try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails time to repair. Apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to rehydrate your nails and minimise brittleness.
Consider getting gel manicures for special occasions only
If you're concerned about nail damage, consider limiting gel manicures to special occasions only.
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The benefits of gel manicures
While gel manicures can be damaging to nails, causing brittleness, peeling, and cracking, there are several benefits to getting one. Firstly, they are long-lasting, remaining glossy and chip-free for up to 21 days. This means you can pick a colour or design and enjoy a beauty statement that won't need to be washed away for several days or even weeks.
Gel manicures are also a great option for special occasions, providing a rock-hard nail finish that won't chip. The crack-proof formula ensures your nails will look fresh out of the salon for a long time. The long-lasting effect of gel polish is very appealing, and the extra work involved in the application process seems worth it for many people.
Additionally, gel manicures can help enhance the strength and resilience of your nails. The Builder Gel, for example, adds a protective layer to your nails, decreasing their flexibility and making them less prone to breakage. This can be particularly beneficial if your nails are naturally thin or weak.
To ensure the health of your nails and hands, it is important to take care before, during, and after your gel manicure. Applying sunscreen or wearing gloves can protect your hands from ultraviolet radiation during the gel curing process. It is also crucial to follow the proper removal process and avoid picking or peeling the gel polish, as this can damage your nails.
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Repairing damaged nails after a gel manicure
Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands. Therefore, it is important to take steps to repair damaged nails after a gel manicure.
Firstly, it is recommended to take a break from nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate. During this time, you can apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily to minimize brittleness and help prevent chipping.
When removing gel nail polish, it is crucial to be gentle and avoid picking, peeling, or ripping it off, as this can damage your nails. Instead, use acetone to soak your fingertips and gently scrape off the polish with an orange stick or cotton balls. You can also use the Gelous Removal Guide to protect your nails from unnecessary damage. Additionally, ensure your manicurist isn't using an electric file for removal, as this can cause damage.
To repair damaged nails, you can apply cuticle oil to deliver vitamins and nourishment, followed by a hand cream to lock in moisture. You can also try soaking your nails in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes daily. Moisturizing your hands regularly and wearing gloves when performing tasks that may be rough on your nails can also help repair and protect them.
It is important to be proactive with your manicurist and ask if their tools are sterilized and cleaned after each client. Additionally, consider getting a gel manicure for special occasions only and seeing a dermatologist if you notice any unusual changes to your nails.
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Products to use to protect nails during a gel manicure
While gel manicures are long-lasting and beautiful, they can be tough on nails, causing brittleness, peeling, and cracking. To protect your nails during a gel manicure, there are several products and steps you can follow:
Before the Manicure
To prepare your nails for a gel manicure, it is recommended to take a "nail polish holiday." Try to not wear any nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate. During this break, apply a moisturising product such as petroleum jelly to your nails and cuticles several times daily to minimise brittleness and prevent chipping.
Additionally, consider applying cuticle oil to deliver vitamins and nourishment to your nails. Follow this with a hand cream to lock in the moisture, as moisture loss is common with gel nail damage.
During the Manicure
When it's time for your gel manicure, be proactive and ask your manicurist if their tools are sterilised. Ensure they are cleaning and disinfecting their tools after every client.
To protect your nails during the application process, avoid getting gel polish on your skin or cuticles. If this happens, clean it off before curing using an orangewood cuticle stick or a nail art brush dipped in nail polish remover.
If you plan to make gel manicures a regular occurrence, consider investing in the complete Gelous system, which includes a Base Coat, Builder Gel, Colour Coat, and Top Coat, along with their UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp. The Builder Gel adds strength and thickness to your manicure, creating a hard, protective layer.
After the Manicure
After your gel manicure, be mindful of the risks associated with removing the gel polish. Do not pick or peel the gel polish, as this can cause damage to your natural nails, leaving them thin and weak. Instead, follow the proper removal process, such as the Gelous Removal Guide, and use products like acetone and cotton balls to safely remove the polish.
Finally, always wear gloves when performing tasks that might be rough on your nails, such as doing the dishes or other household chores. This will help protect the luster and wear of your manicure.
By following these steps and using the recommended products, you can help protect your nails during and after a gel manicure, ensuring they remain healthy and strong.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel manicures can help strengthen your nails and prevent them from breaking. However, if not removed properly, gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. To prevent this, ensure your manicurist isn't using an electric file, don't peel or pick at your nails, and always follow the proper removal process.
To remove a gel manicure properly, you can use acetone to soak your fingertips or cotton balls to wipe the polish off. You can also use a product like the Olive & June Nail Polish Remover Pot, followed by a nail renewal system. It's important to avoid peeling or picking at your nails, as this can damage your natural nails and make them more prone to breakage.
To keep your nails healthy after a gel manicure, it's recommended to take a break from nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. During this time, you can apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimize brittleness and prevent chipping. You can also apply cuticle oil and hand cream to repair damaged nails and lock in moisture.
