Do you have beautifully manicured gel nails? With our expert tips, you can prevent them from getting scratched, chipped, or broken in your everyday life. Regular handwashing and hand sanitizer are essential for our health and hygiene, but these (and other) measures can be tough on your gel and acrylic nails. It’s crucial to take proper care of your nails after a manicure to keep them looking as good as new. We’ve put together 9 tips for you to help your gel and acrylic nails last longer.
Don’t Overdo It with Hand Sanitizer
Hand hygiene awareness has skyrocketed, but for manicure enthusiasts, there’s a catch: hand sanitizers wreak havoc in the nail world!
Hand sanitizers or gels fight bacteria, which means they can also break down the nail polish on your nails. So, apply hand sanitizer around your nails carefully. Additionally, opt for a moisturizing hand sanitizer to prevent your hands from drying out or damaging your nails.
Open Packages and Mail with Caution
The golden rule for acrylic nails: handle them with care. You might not have thought about it, but in general, avoid using your fingers to open letters or soda cans. These everyday actions can lead to scratched, chipped, or peeled nail polish. Instead, use tools like letter openers, knives, or an electric can opener. If no tools are at hand, proceed gently and slowly.
Pamper Your Hands
Frequent handwashing not only leads to gel nails chipping but also dries out your hands. So, treat your hands to a moisturizing lotion and pay special attention to the back of your hands.
If your budget allows for a spa day at home, indulge in a hand mask, collagen gloves, and a variety of treatments that nourish and moisturize your hands. They’re practical and easy to use, providing luxurious and long-lasting results for beautiful hands.
Wash Your Hands with Care
Soap and water are our daily companions, but they shouldn’t harm your perfectly manicured nails. Why? Washing exposes your hands to moisture, making nails soft and increasing the risk of them splitting and breaking. Warm water, in particular, causes nails to swell, making them brittle.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: cuticle oils and balms. It’s recommended to apply an oil or balm daily to protect your nails from moisture. For the best protection, apply oil or balm after every hand wash. For those who want to be extra cautious, use a moisturizer and oil combo. This keeps your nails well-moisturized while making the nail polish more flexible.
Wear Gloves When Cleaning
When cleaning, don’t forget that the chemicals in cleaning and bleach products can also harm your manicure. Just like hand sanitizer, they attack the natural oils and moisture of your nails. Therefore, wearing gloves while cleaning is an absolute must. The same goes for hot water when doing dishes or washing your car.
No Biting, Picking, or Scratching, Please
Biting, picking, or scratching your nails are annoying habits that you should avoid if you have perfectly manicured nails. Typically, these are reactions to stress, but you shouldn’t take it out on your nails. If you feel the urge to bite your nails, do something good for them instead. Keep a cuticle oil or cuticle pen in your purse and gently massage your nails. It’s a relaxing alternative.
Choose a Color that Doesn’t Fade
When choosing a nail polish color, there are certain shades to avoid if you plan on soaking up the sun. Coral-red and pink shades are particularly susceptible to fading in excessive sunlight, as ultraviolet light can bleach the color.
Stay Away from DEET
Whether you’re on a staycation or vacation abroad, one specific ingredient spells doom for your vacation manicure: DEET or Diethyltoluamide. This seemingly inconspicuous ingredient is found in most sunscreens, after-sun lotions, and mosquito repellents. DEET softens nail polish, causing gel and acrylic nails to chip.
But that doesn’t mean you should skip sunscreen and the like, putting up with sunburns and mosquito bites. You just need to wipe off excess cream from your nails and hands.
Choose a Shape that Fits Your Lifestyle
While acrylic and UV nails are generally more durable than gel and shellac, you should still choose a nail shape that can keep up with your lifestyle. If you type a lot during the day, opt for square or oval nails. This way, you type with your fingertips rather than your nails. If your job requires a lot of handwork, an oval shape is perfect, ensuring your nails don’t snag on anything. These shapes not only give your nails timeless elegance but also suit any occasion. Stiletto and coffin nails are currently trending on Instagram! However, choose these shapes only for special occasions. Shorter is better! Too-long nails break easily.