Q&A for How to Repair Nails After a Gel Manicure

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Question

Do gel nails damage natural nails?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

They can make your nails thinner and more brittle, especially if you are using hard gels (instead of soft gels) or if they are removed improperly.

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Question

Can shellac damage nails?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

CND Shellac is less damaging than other types of gels, but it can still cause some thinning of the nail.

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Question

How long do you soak your nails in acetone to remove gel?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

It should take 10-20 minutes. When the gel is ready it should peel off easily in a solid piece. Start with 10 minutes. If it is difficult to remove, resoak and check every 5 minutes until it's ready.

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Question

Why are my nails brittle and dry after a gel manicure?

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.

Mia Rubie

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

The biggest reason that happens is if you're peeling or picking the gel off. That removes layers of your nail, which causes brittleness. It could also be from the removal process—it involves soaking your nails in pure acetone, which is extremely dehydrating.

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Question

The skin (nail bed) is pulled back, it hurts my fingers if my hands are wet for prolonged periods, and now my nails are curling, what can I do?

Community Answer

Go to a doctor because you nails could have an "allergic" or "unlikable" reaction to the products in gel nail polishes. This can be easily repaired and managed with certified nail ointments.

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Question

I have 2 little holes in my nail. What should I do?

Community Answer

The best thing to do would be to cut the nail. If the actual nail bed has holes in it, then you should keep it covered with a band-aid and cut it off when it is grown out.

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Question

My gel manicure left my nails rough and bumpy like sand paper with white spots on my nails. What can I do to repair them?

Community Answer

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Use handcream and jojoba oil to moisturize the nails.

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Question

I just got my first dip a week ago to help me stop biting them. They added tips and after a week they're getting too long. Can I just file the ends?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

If the tips aren't painted, then yes, you can file them. Or you could get them removed and use an anti-biting top coat so you can grow your nails yourself.

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Question

What does anti-biting polish do?

Community Answer

Anti-biting polish keeps you from biting your nails, mostly by tasting bad. The foul taste in the polish is safe.

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Question

Can I paint my nails with regular nail polish after wearing gels?

Community Answer

Yes, you should always have a fresh coat of polish on your nails after any nail job. Once you get the gel, acrylic etc. removed it is very important to try to restore your healthy nail bed. You should use nail hardeners and polish to fix your damaged nails.

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Question

Does it matter what moisturiser you use? Can I just use hand moisturiser for the nail?

Community Answer

Hand moisturizer won't have the same effect on the nail. However, for a more efficient moisturizer you can go to your local salon and pick up a nail oil, it works the same and works faster.

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Question

I have soaked the combination of acrylic and gel off my nails but have odd white spots on them. How do I correct the damage?

Community Answer

If your white spots are caused by trauma to the nail, you'll just have to wait until it grows out. However, if it's from the use of gel or polish, then try gentle buffing and cuticle oil, to protect and prevent.

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Question

I had gel put on my nails, which are naturally long, and the gel was put on with a base coat, two layers of colour and a top coat, all held under LED for 60 seconds each. How much is this damaging my nails?

Community Answer

Gel does damage your nails, however the acrylic is the worst for your nails. Try nail oils and hardeners to restore your nail beds. If you think to get any type of nail job, shellac is a lot healthier for your nails!

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Question

How long does it usually take to recover after gel nails?

Community Answer

Around three months if you keep your nails shorter, are applying jojoba or sweet almond oil five times a day, and are using lotion three times a day.

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Question

If after I remove gel polish my nails are weak, will they be stronger if I reapply gel polish?

Anonymousfigure

Community Answer

You just need to not apply any more nail polish, or else your nails will look worse and will become even weaker.

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Question

My nails are splitting and are thin, they aren’t growing. Advice?

Lexie

Community Answer

It's best to stay away from manicures for about a month or two and use natural remedies to fix the thinning of nails. Also remember to leave a month between getting manicures to allow your nails to heal.

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