Gel nails are gorgeous, efficient, and long lasting – as long as you go about maintaining your gel nails correctly. Normal manicures chip quickly no matter what and that was one of the reasons gel manicures became an instant beauty phenomenon: They’re quick, they’re practically bulletproof, and the shiny, glossy colour won’t budge for at least two weeks. Gel manicures are expensive so the results should last a really, really long time. Here’s the one thing you can do to get there.
HYDRATE
Gel polish has the potential to strip moisture from your nails and the surrounding skin. As a result, moisturizing is an essential part of maintaining nail health and keeping that gel manicure looking its best. Work a rich, creamy moisturizer into your hands several times a day, whenever the skin feels dry; or just rub in olive oil or coconut oil before bedtime and wear gloves as a moisturizing night treatment.
DO NOT PEEL
When you see your gel manicure peeling from the sides, you might feel like peeling it off all together and this is very common phenomenon. However, this can do more harm than good. Picking at the polish risks removing a top layer of your nail along with it. But don’t leave the polish behind, either; peeling gels can serve as a harbour for bacteria, which increases your risk of infection. So instead of peeling, wrap your nails in acetone-soaked gauze, cotton or cloth to remove the polish.
FILL
Whether you do your gel nails yourself or get them done at the salon, you will want to get your nails filled when growth becomes noticeable. The better you fill in your nails, the longer your entire manicure will last. This is s definitely economical, especially if you really like your current polish.
DO NOT TREAT NAILS LIKE TOOLS
Wear gloves when you do any kind of housework or gardening, use a soda can opener on pop tops, and dial the phone with the eraser end of a pencil.
TOUCH UP
Whether you’re rocking a salon gel manicure or one you did at home, invest in a gel topcoat. Reapply the topcoat every couple of days. It’ll give your manicure serious staying power, making it durable and less likely to chip or fade.
TRY MASKING THE NAIL GROWTH WITH NAIL ART
Your nails grow underneath that gel manicure, so an early sign that the manicure will need to be touched up is when you can see a polish-free space at the base, around the cuticle. Add some sparkle to your gel manicure and give it a few more days of life by polishing this blank spot with a textured, glitter polish that will stand out against the gel polish and mask the nail growth.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- Do not bite fingernails or remove the cuticle. Doing so can damage the nail.
- Avoid “digging out” ingrown toenails, especially if they are infected and sore. If you are suffering from an ingrown nail, see a dermatologist for treatment.
- Always use sharp nail scissors or clippers. Round the nails slightly at the tips for maximum strength.