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Your nail beds will thank us.
And at that point, the whole manicure is at risk.
@thevicstyles/ Design by Camden Dechert
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be.
Meet the Experts
What Is Gel Nail Polish?
Regular nail polish and gel nail polish have different chemical compositions.
@paintboxnails
While regular nail polish can just be painted on, gel requires a little more care before utility.
“Most of the steps are similar to a regular manicure.
Mercedes reiterates how bad picking is for your nails.
@radiantnailart
It’s a vicious cycle,” she says.
Jeopardizing the strength of your nails by peeling gel polish can lead to white spots and stress breaks.
Mercedes' three-step method?
@chillhouse
It’s as easy as that.
This will help your manicure hold out until you might get to the salon to have the gels removed.
For thosenail-bitersout therekeep your hands away from your mouth.
@trebellanailspa
“Don’t use your nails as tools!”
She also says to avoid super hot water when washing your hands and showering.
Glossier’sHand Creamcombines ingredients such asmeadowfoam seed oiland coconut fruit extract to moisturize hands without leaving them feeling greasy.
To avoid dry, cracked hands, it’s also worth considering the brand of gel used.
Snow usesBio Sculpture Gel, which doesn’t require primers, bonders, or harsh buffing to be removed.
Invest in Cuticle Oil
Investing incuticle oilcan keep both your nails and skin healthy.
The nutrient-rich oils can boost circulation around the nail, helping them grow.
Plus, it can also protect your polish.
(Meaning the moment you feel a tiny lift, you’ll be digging at your nails).
To avoid all of this, start thin and build your color.
Take Downtime Between Manis
Ever heard of “nail dehydration?”
Your fingers will thank you.
Leave Removal to the Pros
@trebellanailspa
It’s best to leave gel removal to the pros.
“The removal at a salon will probably go quicker and presumably more safely,” explains Mercedes.
For every eight weeks of gel polish, give your nails a one- to two-week break.
In that time frame, give your nails a little extra TLC.
Getting a standard manicure with regular polish will end up being the least damaging to your nails.
Unlike gel nail polish, it doesn’t require abrasive removal and doesn’t suffocate the nail bed.
2016;9(4):39-44.
Pathogenesis,Clinical Signs and Treatment Recommendations in Brittle Nails: A Review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).
2020 Feb;10(1):15-27. doi: 10.1007/s13555-019-00338-x.
