Looking After Your Gel Manicure 

By Editor1SYS | March 11, 2022 0 Comments

These days, gel manicures are a major trend, and it is easy to see why when you compare them to other types. A gel manicure is affordable, has excellent value for money and is long-lasting (up to 3x longer than regular polish). They can also look fantastic with all kinds of stylish options to choose from. There are many perks to a gel manicure, but it is important that you know how to look after your manicure for the best results.

What Not to Do

One of the most important maintenance tips is to not leave the gel nail polish on for too long. It can be tempting to keep the nail polish on as it can last for around two weeks, but this would be a mistake. After around 3 weeks, you could see damage to your nail beds and cuticles. Additionally, bacterial growth can occur once the gel begins to lift. Following this, you should also avoid regular exposure to moisture – it is a good idea to wear protective gloves when doing the washing up or cleaning.

Apply Cuticle Oil

It is also important to regularly apply cuticle oil, which is essential for good skin and nail health. Essentially, this is a blend of nourishing oils and ingredients that will help with hydration and lock in moisture. This will keep your manicure looking its best and prevent issues like hangnails from occurring. It is recommended that you apply cuticle oil twice daily for the best results. 

Avoid Products That Can Cause Damage

You also need to think about the products that you are using on your hands and for skincare as many can damage or affect the manicure. In particular, you need to avoid using products that contain solvent oils like fake tan, which can affect the colour. 

Removal

You should remove your gel manicure after the recommended period and avoid picking at your nails if they begin to chip as this can cause serious damage to your nails. Get an appointment to have them moved professionally, but if this is not possible then you can do it yourself. The key steps to safely remove gel nail polish at home are using a coarse nail file to sand down the top layer, coating the skin surrounding the nails in cuticle oil and soaking your fingers in acetone. Next, you should wrap your fingertips with aluminium foil and leave for 10 minutes or so. You should then be able to remove the gel nail polish and use a nail stick to remove any remaining spots.

Hopefully, this post will help you to care for your gel manicure. There are many benefits to a gel manicure, you do need to know how to look after your nails for the best results.