Strategies for Strengthening Brittle Nails After Gel Manicure Removal — Expert Advice

I am not exaggerating when I state I’ve hardly seen my real nails in eight decades. Every 2 weeks into the day, I’m at the nail salon soaking and copying my manicure regular. I’ve tried almost every manicure procedure under sunlight, such as acrylics, gel extensions, gel manicures, and dip powder.

Because of the effects of COVID-19 in the beauty business, nail salons are closed, therefore I have been left to my own devices. My most recent nail experience was dip powder, that can be artificial-like acrylic or gel, but the program is different than the two. In accordance with manicurist Holly Falcone, to make a dip powder you coating a foundation (which goes like routine polish) and powder (that you dip your moist nail into) until you’ve got your preferred policy before sealing it with a gel topcoat.

A couple of days back, I sat down to eliminate my manicure by removing the topcoat using a nail file then massaging my nails in acetone before the wax was tender, I moved back into filing off the leftover powder residue till I could see my natural nails. While doing this, I realized two things. The first was that nail builders have one of the most difficult work on earth — eliminating this shit wasn’t simple.

The next? My natural nails are a real disgrace. They have just seen the light of day less than 30 minutes every 2 months while my nail tech receives my next colour prepared, and that which I discovered below the tough coat wasn’t pretty whatsoever. In reality, using the phrase damaged are an understatement. They had been so fragile and thin the idea of doing something to them in my scared me. I determined that I would use this period in self-isolation to cure my claws and attempt to get them back in adequate condition.

So, how do I do this? Well, based on some specialists, there are a couple of tactics to develop nails strong after the harm is done.

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1. Keep your nails short.

Just like when your hair needs a trim to grow, so do your nails. )By cutting the ends off, you are freeing claws from damage and keeping them healthy, says Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale.

2. Avoid harsh soaps and cleansers.

While you should be washing your hands more often than usual right now, Gohara recommends staying away from harsher soaps and cleansers as they can further weaken and irritate the nails. Gohara, who has a partnership with Dove, loves using the brand’s Foaming Hand Wash as a gentler option. We also love Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, which smells like freshly squeezed lemonade.

3. Protect your nails.

That said, during this time of frequent sanitation and cleaning, your hands are going to get dried out. Wearing gloves to do the dishes and hydrating your nails after washing and sanitizing can help protect them from becoming more brittle and broken, says Falcone, who loves Deborah Lippmann’s Cuticle Cream because it’s formulated with shea butter to deeply hydrate the cuticles, which are prone to drying out quickly even under normal circumstances.

We also recommend pairing cuticle cream with your favorite hand lotion for double the moisture. One of our favorites is the Murumuru Butter and Rose Delicious glow Hand Cream from Love Beauty and Planet, which is packed with murumuru butter, an ingredient that makes hands and nails look smoother and feel softer.

4. Apply a strengthener.

Falcone also suggests applying a nail strengthener, which is a type of base coat that deeply heals the damaged nail, every few days. She loves the Nailtiques Formula 2, which, according to cosmetic chemist Ginger King has a protein called hydrolyzed keratin in its formula.

According to Gohara, this protein is already naturally found in your nails and hair, and applying it creates a protective barrier for your nails, which helps make them strong and resilient over time. Falcone suggests applying a strengthener one to two times a day until you feel they’re strong enough to be without the strengthener.

If you’re going to remove your manicure at home, following our guides to minimize long-term harm. Once you successfully removed any polish, consider the above tips to keep your nails strong for your next in-person manicure appointment. Personally, I know my nail technician is going to be impressed with my nails once I’m lucky enough to be sitting in her chair again.

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