How To Strengthen Nails Damaged By Gel Manicure
This post may contain affiliate links.
Has the worst come to pass, and your nails suffered damage from a gel manicure? When done correctly, a gel manicure shouldnt damage your nails. Quite the opposite it should leave them stronger! Sadly, that doesnt always happen. Sometimes, after removing a gel manicure, you can discover nails that are unusually thin, brittle, and worryingly breakable.
If your nails have been damaged by a gel manicure or nail extensions, weve got some tips to help you revive them. Even if your nails are in relatively good shape, these tips will still help you keep them strong, so you can get back into that manicure chair in no time!
Handle Your Nails With Kid Gloves
If you have the time to spare for nail care, set aside time each night to apply your chosen treatments before slipping hands into a pair of moisturizing gloves. In addition to removing the temptation to fuss with your nails, the gloves will also allow your oils and cream to penetrate more deeply without being accidentally wiped away.
Earth Therapeutics Moisturizing Hand Gloves, $6,
Nail Conditioner For Damaged Nails After Gel
The first thing we use to treat damaged nails after gel mani is a conditioner. There are lots of such products on the market, however, not all of them are worth your attention. Do you know the best conditioner for damaged nails after gel removal?
The best conditioner is formulated without formaldehyde and other toxic substances. It should be as natural as possible and abound in ingredients essential for damaged nails: proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Some conditioners for gel mani contain e.g. silk proteins or diamond dust .
However, if you’re more interested in a good nail conditioner to treat nails after gel, use a professional product e.g. IBX System for fixing very damaged nails after gel mani.
Recommended Reading: Best Polygel Nail Kit For Beginners 2020
Majestic Pure Revitalizing Nail Treatment With Tea Tree
This all-natural nail serum is made with tea tree, clove, and eucalyptus oils to simultaneously strengthen your nails, moisturize your cuticles, and promote nail health with anti-fungal properties. While it can be used on both hands and feet, it is a favorite Amazon find for people looking for toenail treatments.
BUY IT: $17.75 walmart.com
Natural Oils For Nail Repair
If your nails are damaged from gel, you can repair them using oils. Repairing nails with oils is nice and simple, plus the use of such natural ingredients has nothing but benefits.
Do you know which oil is best for damaged nails? Here’s my private round-up of the best treatments.
1. Castor oil for nails. It looks very simple but turns out to be the most powerful. Castor oil helps repair hair, lashes and brows, as well as nails after gel mani. It contains unique ricinoleic acid which has an antibacterial effect, strengthens nail plates, improves moisture levels and makes nails harder and resistant to damage. The most effective way to use it is rubbing castor oil into nail plates .
2. Tea tree oil for nails. When it comes to natural oils for nails, essential oils are also worth nothing, especially tea tree oil which is known for its antifungal effect. That’s why it works amazing for weak, damaged nails and when you treat nail fungus.
3. Argan oil for nails. This one is a rich source of vitamin E which is the strongest antioxidant. It is able to repair nails, strengthen them and accelerate cellular renewal. Rejuvenating and revitalizing effect of argan oil is a thing that damaged nails long for.
If you like, you can make use of other nail care oils or create your own blend of oils. Variety is something that our nails are fond of.
Also Check: Best Polygel Nail Kits
Life After Acrylic Nails: How To Return To Natural Nails After Removing Acrylics
Youve had your acrylic nails removed, now what? Here are some essential tips to show you how to return to natural nails after removing acrylics.
Youve made the choice to have your acrylic nails removed. Whether its been a few years or a few weeks, the care after acrylic nails are removed is very important. Here are a few essential tips to help you return to your natural nails after removing acrylics.
According to Dasha Minina, founder of Maxus Nails, it takes about 6 months for the natural nail to fully grow out. Unless there was significant damage to the matrix during the duration of acrylic wear, thats how long it would take for the nail to go back to its natural undamaged state.
It is important that the acrylic nail is removed properly. It is recommended that you let a professional, well-trained nail technician remove acrylics. The technician will soak your nails in acetone, and gently push the nail with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. The technician should never pry the artificial nail away, as this removes a layer of the natural nail.
A manicure after removal will get the nails back in shape. According to EzFlow Global Brand Ambassador Allie Baker, your nail technician should apply a nail strengthener like EzFlow Natural Nail Treatment to give the nails strength and restore hydration.
With these tips handy, you should be able to have your acrylics removed and enjoy your natural, damage free nails.
Ways To Repair Damaged Nails After Gel And Acrylics
Gel or acrylic nails can cause so much damage to your nails. But dont worry. It is possible to heal your nails and restore them to good health again. Today I am giving you the exact process of repairing your nails naturally one step at a time.
Manicure procedures such as nail extensions are a cool way to flaunt your fingertips.
I myself had been guilty of having gel and acrylic nails fitted before an important event.
Its because its difficult to wait long for your nails to grow.
However, it would be riskier to get nail enhancements regularly.
Im talking about the possible damage they can do to your natural nails and even the surrounding skin.
In todays blog, Ill share with you some of the nail care habits Ive learned to ensure healthy fingertips after painful gel and acrylic enhancements.
Don’t Miss: Is Hydrogen Peroxide Good For Nail Fungus
Why I Wanted To Restore My Nails After Gel Manicures
I love the perfectly shaped nails that didnt chip, cuticles with no hangnails and long lasting color that I got from my artificial nails. Over the last 15 years, Ive tried them all acrylics, gel and powder.
At first, getting my nails done every two weeks was a luxury. When I started these regular appointments in my 40s, I had just been promoted to a management position at the nonprofit where I was working. I was making a little money. My boss got her nails done. After years as a stay at home mom with no extra money in the budget for such a luxury, I was ready to treat myself. And for a while, it was great. Until it wasnt.
At some point, I got tired of sitting in the manicurists chair for an hour every two weeks. And I had other things I wanted to spend my money on. So I decided to go back to my natural nails. Except they werent the nails that I used to have. They were thin, dry, splitting and brittle. And after a few weeks of looking like that, I just couldnt stand it anymore, so headed back to the salon to get the artificial ones again. I continued this cycle for 15 years.
A few months ago, I decided once again to try and go natural, but before doing so, I asked ladies in my who had done this HOW they achieved healthy natural nails again. They encouraged me that it could be done. I also did some research online and came up with this plan that restored my nails to their strong and healthy original state in 8 weeks.
Can I Paint My Nails After Removing Acrylics
You can paint your nails using regular nail polish or gel polish during this recovering period.
You can paint your nails with regular polish: it can be easily wiped off with acetone if you want to do a polish change.
If you use a gel polish color: make sure you soak, wrap them up so it can be properly removed without any further damage to your nails.
Related article:HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT TO GET ACRYLIC NAILS AGAIN?
You May Like: How To Make Impress Nails Last Longer
Nail Care After Gel Manicure: How To Care For Nails After A Gel Treatment
Beautifully manicured nails are always fun to look at, and there is no doubt that they are a confidence booster. After decades of applying nail polish that lasted only a few days, the gel manicure treatment was developed the process includes applying a base coat, gel nail polish, and topcoat on each nail. By curing the gel nail polish with a UV or LED lamp, the nail polish strongly adheres to the nails, and the results can last up to 4 weeks. How can you make your gel nail polish last that long? Follow this gel nail care routine at home!
I Have Been Coming Since It Opened
I have been coming to Queen B since the day it opened.This is the first time I have been back since the new beauty area has been opened and it looks amazing.Peter and the girls are always friendly and make you feel so welcome.
Gel nails and a lovely spa pedicure which made me feel fab as I have been recovering from an operation.I have booked my next 3 appointments already as I dont want to miss out including waxing in the beauty area.
Thanks Queen B team xx
Recommended Reading: How To Apply Dashing Diva Gloss
Products That’ll Save Your Damaged Brittle Nails After Peeling Off A Gel Manicure
Few things discourage a nail polish lover like a gel manicure gone wrong. It has the highest highsglossy, super pigmented color that lasts at least two weeksand the lowest lows. Cue a scene of us crumpling to the bathroom floor after compulsively picking off every bit of said gel nail polish. Sometimes we just can’t help it! When there’s one piece that starts to peel, it just seems easier to make the rest of your hand match. Plus even though we know it’s terrible for our nails it’s oddly satisfying to pick off that polish in one fell swoop. What was once a pristine, professionally done manicure is now a graveyard of broken nail dreams. Keyword: broken. Not to mention, brittle and peeling. If you’ve ever dealt with damaged nails, you know it’s a slow road back to healthy cuticles and nail beds. Sometimes it’s not even the gel mani nails can be just naturally weak and brittle. Talk about a beauty day buzz kill.
Nail care doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Once you’ve found products that work for you, a nail care routine can become the small moment of self-care that you treat yourself to each week. You’ll become so good at taking care of your own nails that you won’t even have to go back to the salon for that gel mani.
Now We Have Got That Out The Way How Do You Look After Your Nails
Queen B Luxury Nail & Beauty Lounge is widely recognised as a leading salon for natural nail care, in fact, we won The Best Nail Salon in London
We always get asked for help and assistance and the most popular question remains the same How can I get my nails longer without using acrylics?
As we focus only on natural nails, we do not offer acrylic extensions, sns or hard gels and we absolutely love to work with our guests to maintain their nails but it is also a 2 person job.
Yes you also need to put in some work too!
Also Check: How To Soak Off Nail Glue
Growing Your Nails Offers A Safe Alternative
Dr. Lipner says the best way to remove gel nail polish is to let your nails grow out. Clipping them once a week will remove the gel nail polish and 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.
Letting your nails grow is a slow process. Dr. Lipner says, It takes about six months to grow out your fingernails. Toenails need 12 to 18 months to grow out.
To properly trim your nails, follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists: How to trim your nails.
Related AAD resources
Ways To Repair Your Nails After A Gel Manicure
Yes, there’s hope for your dry, damaged nails.
Nail polish addicts have a love-hate relationship with gel manicures: we love their long-lasting color and shine, but hate how they leave our nails dry and brittle after they come off. We asked celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann to share her tips for keeping your nails in tip-top shape after getting a gel manicure.
You May Like: How To Remove Contact Lenses With Nails
Ridges In Nails After Acrylics Can Hurt
Ridges on nails after acrylics that you see on your nails are the result of over filing from past fill-ins. These lines are the indications of your nails being drilled too deep and they make your nails are thin. As you try to pull the acrylics off, there are good chances that you can peel off your nails at these spots and cause your nails to sore.
Treating Your Nails With Products
Recommended Reading: How To Get Ridges Out Of Nails
Keeping Your Nails Strong
Gobsmacked At How Amazing The Service Was
I treated my girlfriend and myself to a signature pedicure and we were both gobsmacked at how amazing the service was.Every single member of staff was so accommodating and just so lovely.They did a perfect job and we left the salon feeling like new people.We absolutely highly recommend this parlour to anyone wanting a truly wonderful experience with truly wonderful staff!
Recommended Reading: Remove Kiss Impress Nails
How To Rehab Nails After A Gel Manicure
1. Cuticle hydration: “Healthy cuticles are key to healthy nail growth,” says Lippmann, whose new Cuticle Remover Pen and Cuticle Oil Pen make softening and moisturizing them really easy. As long as you’re using some sort of moisturizer, like a cuticle oil or cuticle cream, you’re goodâjust be sure to slather it on regularly.
2. Use an emollient: For added moisture on both your nails and cuticles, Dr. Stern says that products with emollient ingredients are key. That means creams or oils that contain hydrators like coconut oil, sunflower oil, or mineral oil for deep moisture so that your nails can get back into fighting shape.
3. Nail strengtheners: Since gel manicures often leave your nails thin and brittle, Dr. Stern recommends using a nail-strengthening product that contains ingredients that directly repair that with keratins, proteins, or mastic oil. Try the Isdin Nourishing and Hydrating Nail Strengthener Serum .
4. Exfoliator: Yes, exfoliating your nails is a thing. Dr. Stern points to a study that showed that glycolic acid on the nail plate revealed “good improvement in dry, rough nails,” and her Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System does just that. Or you can simply use the acid toner you use on your skinâjust use a separate dab to rub over your nail beds.
So What Exactly Is Gel Polish
Gel polish is a thin brush on formula, it literally goes on your nails just like ordinary nail polish but without the chipping and dulling you see with regular polish.
We use Gelish for our gel polish treatments, not only because it is the number 1 brand of gel polish in the world but because it stays on your nails, chip free, for up to two weeks..
Formulated to harden under light, each coat of gel polish needs to be cured under an LED lamp. The specially created top coat gives your nails the amazing shine.
We only use official Gelish lamps that have been created specifically for Gelish treatments.
Also Check: Tips For Applying Color Street Nails
