Q&A for How to Help Your Nails Recover After Acrylics

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  • Question
    Can I remove acrylic nails at home by myself?
    Kristin Pulaski
    Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
    Kristin Pulaski is a Professional Nail Artist and the Founder of Paintbucket, a self-owned and operated nail salon based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has over five years of experience running Paintbucket and is licensed as a nail technician. Paintbucket offers nail art manicures, pedicures, and soft gel extensions along with customized packages for wedding and bridal parties. She holds a BA in Managerial Science from Manhattan College.
    Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It's really not a good idea. Acrylic is pretty tough stuff and you may damage a nail if you aren't careful when you're removing them. You're better off just going to a nail salon and having a professional take them off.
  • Question
    When should I use cuticle oil?
    Kristin Pulaski
    Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
    Kristin Pulaski is a Professional Nail Artist and the Founder of Paintbucket, a self-owned and operated nail salon based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has over five years of experience running Paintbucket and is licensed as a nail technician. Paintbucket offers nail art manicures, pedicures, and soft gel extensions along with customized packages for wedding and bridal parties. She holds a BA in Managerial Science from Manhattan College.
    Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The best time to apply it is at night right before you go to bed. This way, you can leave the oil on your nails while you sleep.
  • Question
    Can a nail straightener be used after the acrylics?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you may choose to use a nail strengthener. However, only use it for a week or two as the chemicals that initially strengthen the nail will actually begin to weaken the nail if used too frequently.
  • Question
    Why no polish for a week? Also, I have a spot with no nail! It looks like small blister and is painful. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    The nail polish will make your nails even weaker so that why you shouldn't use it. For the spot, clean it with soap and water then use some polysporin and cover with a bandaid. If it doesn't improve within 24 hours, see your pharmacist or doctor.
  • Question
    Can I take my nails off with a credit card or a Metrocard? I've seen people do this, but will it damage my nails?
    Community Answer
    Don't do that. It will 100% damage your nails, and might even rip them off. Just put some nail polish remover in a bowl or cup and soak your hands in it for 5-10 minutes. They should fall right off.
  • Question
    For 3 years, I have been trying to get my nails to recover. I have tried Sally Hansen products, Hair, Nails & Skin vitamins and other things. What else can I do to get them to recover?
    Community Answer
    Try biotin. Take calcium along with the biotin. Also, you might want to get a professional manicure at least once a month. Your nails will be buffed out and smoothed, as well as shaped. Getting a manicure helps the nail grow healthier.
  • Question
    I have nail glue stuck on my nails, and I don't know what to do. I have tried nail polish remover, but it's still stuck, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    You may have to file it off with an emery board.
  • Question
    Is there any type of overlay that I can apply to my own nails instead of acrylics? I have had acrylics for 7 years and want my own nails.
    Community Answer
    You can try growing your nails and then applying normal nail polish or decorate them the way the way you feel is comfortable. You can also buy over the counter nail strengtheners if you think that the nails are too weak on their own.
  • Question
    I thought nail polish would make the nails stronger and add more layers?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the nail polish, but generally, the chemicals in nail polish are more likely to weaken your nails than to strengthen them.
  • Question
    How do I make my nails strong and grow quickly.?
    Sydneyjane16
    Community Answer
    There is no "quick fix," but taking biotin pills for hair, nails and skin will make them healthier.
  • Question
    How do I stop my nails from being in pain after removing acrylics?
    Community Answer
    Try removing the acrylic by taking an acetone-soaked cotton ball to your nail, then putting tin foil over it. Leave this on for about 30 minutes. If the acrylics aren't completely dissolved and you can peel them off, resoak the cotton balls with acetone and repeat for about 20 minutes. Be sure to apply some sort of moisturizer before and after this process.
  • Question
    My nails were badly damaged after acrylics; they are a lot stronger now that it's been 9 weeks. Can I now put nail polish on?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Yes you can! Just remember to use a good base coat, and if you have color staining on your nail, leave it be and just paint over it. Never bleach or whiten your nails because it weakens them.
  • Question
    Can I put shellack on after taking off my acrylics?
    Jennifer 'Nichols' Miller
    Community Answer
    It's likely that your natural nails will be trashed, and there will potentially be severe damage from over-thinning pre-application. The nails may be too soft or weak to support the product. Also, you may have sore cuticles from previous prep and/or removal. I would recommend waiting until your nails have recovered fully from the wear and tear of the acrylics.
  • Question
    With new nails growing, what does it matter if the damaged nail which has had acrylics on it has polish instead? Nail polish isn't good for mine, but others can use it, so this makes no sense.
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Actually, nail polish is good for your nail because it lock in good oils and prevents the nails from getting dirt and chemicals on them. Because the old nail had to be buffed to prep for acrylic, it's thinner than the new nail which hasn't been buffed. Buffing smooths out the nail by buffing away layers of the nail. Not good.
  • Question
    I'm in the process of growing my nails after months of acrylic nails. Now I'm using lemon juice and oil olive to get the grow. Read that nail growth boosters work. Can I apply them with oil and lemon?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Olive oil and lemon don't go anything for growth, but they have great skin and cuticle benefits. Jojoba oil is the best for nail growth because it's most similar to the oils our body produces, so either look for pure jojoba oil or a nail growth serum/cuticle oil that contains jojoba oil.
  • Question
    What's the best way to protect my weak and thin nails after ripping off acrylic nails?
    Ashlynn V
    Community Answer
    Keeping a fresh polish and nail hardener on at all times always helps your nails. In future, try to get shellac instead of acrylics, they are healthier for your nails.
  • Question
    What should I do if I removed my acrylics and my nails are breaking and peeling weeks later?
    Ashlynn V
    Community Answer
    This is very common when getting acrylics. The whole process tampers with your natural nail bed and makes it hard to stay nice after just one application. Typically you can fix this problem with nail hardener you either apply the coat straight on the nail or over polish. It seems to be very effective. If you still think about getting acrylics or any gel like nail, I recommend shellac because it uses your natural nails and allows your nails to grow and stay healthy.
  • Question
    Can I use nail polish with natural oil to help my nails recover after acrylics?
    Ashlynn V
    Community Answer
    Usually, this solution doesn't work. I really don't recommend acrylics if you have nice virgin nail beds. You can buy a nail hardener at your local drugstore and it should repair your damaged nails a little bit. I recommend getting shellac instead of acrylic, as it is a lot healthier for the nails.
  • Question
    When I took my acrylics off, I had little white spots on my nail. Is this normal? Is it a shortage of a specific vitamin?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is very normal to have little white spots on your nail. They are calcium deposits that are under your nail, on your skin. Don't worry about it. They will disappear as your nail grows.
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