Repairing Nails after Gel Manicure: Review of Restoration Procedures

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Sometimes nails get damaged by gel manicures and become thin, dry, and brittle. In this article, we will look at the causes for it and ways to restore your nails.

Why Nails Get Damaged by Gel Manicures

As a material, gel polish is safe for nails and rarely causes an allergic reaction. Nails can be damaged after a gel manicure for other reasons.

Improper Removal

It’s important to follow these key rules:

Do not remove a gel coating mechanically as it will also remove the upper layer of the nails, making them thin and rough.
Do not remove the remains of gel polish with a nail file as it is damaging for nails.
Do not remove a gel coating with acetone. This substance is not suitable for removing gel polish and, if used regularly, makes nails soft and spongy like paper.

Mistakes in the Procedure

An inexperienced or unskilled nail technician can file too much of a nail or damage the root. Technicians might also remove gel polish in a wrong way, invent their own questionable techniques, or use too much acetone.

Low-Quality Materials

Cheap base coatings that come in contact with the nail are highly acidic and penetrate deep into the nail. If such materials are used regularly, nails become too dry and start peeling.

Wearing Gel for Too Long, Inconsistent Touch-Ups

Specialists agree that a gel manicure should be worn for 2-3 weeks. After that, nails grow quite long and there are more chances that their tips will break off or get deformed.

Consequences of Nail Damage

thinning
dryness
brittleness
peeling
pain at a touch
deformation
nail diseases (fungal infections, onycholysis).

Effective Ways to Repair Nails after Gel Polish

Nail diseases require medical attention. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, the situation will only deteriorate. We will look at some less serious problems and ways to address them.

Nail Lamination

Lamination consists in coating nails with a boost, serum, or bio gel or another formula that protects nails from breakage and chipping. The procedure is aimed at providing a long-term strengthening effect and making nails smooth and glossy.

IBX System Products

These products are used for ultrathin two-step lamination. What’s special about these products is that they contain substances that are stronger and more effective than others.

The kit consists of two complementary components: serum and a fixing agent that should be used together. When a nail grows back, the coating is clipped with the edge – this is repeated until the nail plate grows back fully. The restoration course usually consists of 4 sessions.

Wax Sealing

Wax creates a protective film on the nails and contains elements that strengthen the nail plate.

How To: Before the procedure, do a manicure and use a file or a buff to grind the nails softly against the direction of growth. After that, drip some wax onto the nail and rub it in. The final step is to treat cuticles with oil.

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Paraffin Baths

If you have peeling nails after removing gel polish, try a paraffin bath. If you do this at home, you can use a paraffin cream.

Before the procedure, make sure to disinfect your hands and nail plates. Next, massage some cream into your hands and nails and dip your fingers into a container filled with molten paraffin for a few minutes. Then put on plastic gloves and wear them for 15-20 minutes, after which remove the remaining paraffin with a paper towel. Thanks to this procedure, the skin becomes soft and tender, and the nails get stronger and healthier.

Oil Therapy

Oils for cuticles contain vitamins and other useful elements. They provide nutrition for the root and make the growing nail healthier. Massaging oil into the cuticle improves blood supply to the nail and helps it grow faster. Oil can be applied on a daily basis, especially if you have dry cuticles.

How to Repair Nails at Home

The procedures we have discussed can be done at home, with the exception of some types of lamination that require a UV lamp. Some people prefer folk methods, for example, homemade formulas from herbs and berries: chamomile, buckthorn, currants, cranberries, or lingonberries. Their effectiveness is questionable, although some claim that they help.

Let’s wrap it up and list the main stages of nail restoration:

Removing gel polish correctly.
Strengthening nails with the help of cosmetic procedures.
Taking care of the cuticles, doing hand massages.
Protecting your hands, wearing gloves.
Following a healthy diet that features products and supplements high in potassium, iron, vitamins A, E, B, and C.

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