Gel nails are known for lasting longer, ensuring a flawless manicure until you remove them or your nails grow out. Unfortunately, they’re also known for making nails thin and brittle. Learning how to keep nails healthy with gel ensures you can enjoy a long-lasting manicure without dealing with the severe damage that most people associate with gel nails.
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Understanding Gel Nails
Gel nails are one of the most popular manicure choices. You can’t beat the chip-resistant finish that typically lasts for a couple of weeks. The curing process with UV lights helps set gel polish, a key difference between gel and regular polish. Unfortunately, gel polish also comes with a few well-known issues.
Common Nail Issues From Gel Polish
Many people experience:
- Peeling
- Thinner nails
- Brittle nails
- White spots
- Nail fungus
These issues can stem from several different things. Nail fungus typically occurs because the gel polish hasn’t bonded properly to the nail and has lifted up, leading to moisture being trapped between the fake and real nail.
Nails can often become thin and brittle because they are filed down too much before gel application or soaked in acetone to remove gel polish. Peeling off gel polish can peel off layers of the nail, resulting in peeling or thin nails. Constantly having one gel manicure after another can also make the nails brittle.
How To Keep Nails Healthy With Gel
Pre-Gel Care
Taking the proper steps to care for your nails can go a long way in preventing problems before they start. Gently push back your cuticles and don’t cut them to ensure they aren’t too short, which can irritate.
Soak off gel polish usually can handle you applying a nail strengthening base coat to keep your nails healthy. You can easily do this for a DIY manicure. Ask your manicurist about a strengthening base coat if you get your nails done at a local salon.
Let Your Nails Rest
Always let your nails rest for a few days between gel manicures instead of getting a new one the same day. Use nail strengthening products during the rest period to encourage healthy nails. Ensure your cuticles are adequately moisturized.
A Skilled Technician
Always do your research before working with a new nail technician. Overbuffing the nails before application can lead to thin nails.
Thick layers of gel polish instead of multiple thin layers can make them lift off the nail, resulting in nail fungus. Ask your nail technician to apply a couple of thin layers instead of one thick layer.
Unskilled nail technicians may overcure your nails, which can increase your risk of cancer, make gel polish harder to remove, and alter the appearance of your manicure.
Proper Aftercare
Proper aftercare is essential to making a gel manicure last as long as possible and preventing problems. Keep the nail bed around the nail moisturized to avoid dryness and cracking. Wear gloves during household chores that submerge your hands in water or expose them to chemicals, like doing the dishes.
Don’t pick or peel gel nails, even if it’s tempting because there’s a chip. Peeling off gel nail polish instead of using proper nail removal techniques can peel off layers of the nail. Instead, use proper removal techniques.
Proper Removal
When possible, go to a professional technician for removal. Avoid filing gel polish completely off because you can accidentally file part of your nail, leading to thin and brittle nails. Use an orange stick instead of metal tools to gently lift softened gel polish off the nail for at-home removal. Gentle removal is key to ensuring you don’t accidentally lift layers of your nail off.
After removing gel polish, apply a moisturizer or nail strengthener to immediately nourish your nails.
Our Recommended Products
OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener
OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener is specially formulated to help make weak, brittle nails stronger. It’s available in multiple shades, including white. Calcium and hydrolyzed wheat protein go beyond helping nails and help strengthen your nail beds. It’s ideal for use between manicures.
Why You’ll Love It
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Orange Wood Sticks For Nails
Wooden sticks for nails are ideal for removing gel polish. They aren’t as tough as metal tools, so they’re less likely to peel off layers of your nails. The soft wood can be less damaging for cuticles, too. You can easily use them to push back cuticles, for DIY pedicures, or to peel away softened gel polish.
Why You’ll Love It
- Multi-purpose
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How To Keep Nails Healthy With Gel
Gel nails are great because they’re chip-resistant, long-lasting, and gorgeous. Make sure to use proper removal techniques and schedule gel-free periods to ensure your nails need a break. Invest in nourishing products, including nail hardener, to use in between manicures to keep your nails healthy.
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