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- Nails
Your nail beds will thank us.
By
Updated on June 30, 2023 10:45AM
Fact checked by
In This Article
What Is Gel Nail Polish?Why Your Gel Polish Might Be LiftingHow to Treat and Prevent Lifting Gel PolishFrequently Asked QuestionsDo Not PickAdd a Layer of Top CoatCap the Free EdgePrevent Chipping When You Can
Keep Hands MoisturizedInvest in Cuticle OilUse Thin Coats of PolishKeep Your Hands Dry For Your ManiStay Away From The ClippersTake Downtime Between ManisDon't Wait Too LongLeave Removal to the Pros
Gel manicures are supposed to extend the time between your nail appointments, but no matter how careful you are, chips happen. Once nicks begin to show, it is hard (okay, near impossible) to stop yourself from picking at the leftover polish. And at that point, the whole manicure is at risk.
Thankfully, it doesn't have to be. With the help of innovative nail technologies (top coats are so good now) and a few insider hacks, extending the life of your gel manicure has never been easier. We spoke with professional manicurists Natalia Mercedes and Cherrie Snow about exactly what to do when your gel mani starts chipping.
Keep scrolling to find out the best ways to protect your manicure and prevent polish from peeling, according to experts.
Meet the Experts
- Natalia Mercedes is a nail tech at Art Nail NYC.
- Cherrie Snow is a nail expert and fashion manicurist.
What Is Gel Nail Polish?
Regular nail polish and gel nail polish have different chemical compositions. While regular nail polish can just be painted on, gel requires a little more care before application. "Most of the steps are similar to a regular manicure. However, removing natural oils and dehydrating the nail plate is required for a long-lasting gel manicure," says Mercedes. After each coat of polish, the gel is cured with an LED/UV light instead of air-drying, making the manicure extra strong and sure to last at least two weeks.
Why Your Gel Polish Might Be Lifting
- Cuticles were not prepped
- Nails were not filed before the application
- Too much moisture and oil on the nail plate
- Insufficiently cured gel polish
- Thick coats of gel polish were used
- A base coat or top coat wasn't used
- The free edges weren't capped
- The nails are or were exposed to harsh conditions
How to Treat and Prevent Lifting Gel Polish
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Do Not Pick
If you like nothing more than picking at a two-week-old manicure, let this be a warning to you. "Our nails are made up of about 25 layers of keratinized skin cells, and peeling off gels will take off those top protective layers, causing the nail to become thinner, weaker, and uneven," says Snow.
Mercedes reiterates how bad picking is for your nails. "When you peel off any nail enhancement, you rip off layers of your nail plate and make your nail weaker and cause your nails to chip more. 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.
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Add a Layer of Top Coat
So, in short, if you notice your manicure has started to peel, do not start picking. Mercedes' three-step method? "File the nail where the chip happened, don't pick [at the nail], and seal it with a top coat." It's as easy as that. For those who have busy hands and can't stay still, Mercedes recommends a fast-drying top coat, like Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat.
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Cap the Free Edge
After filing near the chip, apply a thin layer over the top of the polish, and seal the edge by painting over the tip of the nail. This will help your manicure hold out until you can get to the salon to have the gels removed.
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Prevent Chipping When You Can
As with many things, prevention is far better than attempting a cure. Snow recommends wearing gloves when washing up and cleaning and avoiding opening boxes or cans to increase the longevity of your gel manicure.
For those nail-biters out there—keep your hands away from your mouth. It can be tempting, we know, but for the safety of your manicure (and your health), nix the finger-chomping. "Don't use your nails as tools!" Mercedes says. She also says to avoid super hot water when washing your hands and showering.
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Keep Hands Moisturized
If you do end up picking at your nails, make sure you still keep your hands and nails moisturized. "Apply hand cream after every hand wash, and regularly massage cuticle oil over the gelled nail to encourage flexibility and prevent chipping," Snow adds. Glossier's Hand Cream combines ingredients such as meadowfoam seed oil and 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 uses Bio Sculpture Gel, which doesn't require primers, bonders, or harsh buffing to be removed.
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Invest in Cuticle Oil
Investing in cuticle oil can 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. Mercedes' favorite cuticle oil—which she recommends using twice a day—is the Famous Names Dadi Oil, which is full of nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and vitamin E.
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Use Thin Coats of Polish
Whether it's an at-home mani or done by a professional, the key to a long-lasting, non-peeling gel manicure is thin, smooth layers. It can be easier to do a thick, single layer to save time, but it won't help you in the long run: Thick layers will peel easier, or even worse, they can be prime for the picking. (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.
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Keep Your Hands Dry For Your Mani
It may sound redundant but try to keep your hands as dry as possible on the day of your manicure. The less malleable and flexible your nails are, the more likely they are to break or get caught on something, and keeping your hands dry is a great way to avoid this. Moisture and nail polish are true enemies for life, and you want to keep them far, far away from each other.
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Stay Away From The Clippers
We know, we know—it can be deeply tempting to make sure your nails aren't growing too long, or maybe you have a jagged edge—plenty of reasons to pull out your clipper and nail file and go to town. But using clippers and files will break down the seal, which will cause lifting and peeling, so just let your nails be.
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Take Downtime Between Manis
Ever heard of "nail dehydration?" Your nails need access to water and air as much as the rest of your body, and going back-to-back with gel manicures is like suffocating your nailbeds, which can lead to damage and breakage. Both wearing gel manicures and the removal process can be a lot for your fingers to handle, so take time between gel applications. Your fingers will thank you.
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Don't Wait Too Long
It can be massively tempting to want to see how long your gel manicure can last without chipping but try to avoid doing anything of the sort. A gel mani should last you two to three weeks maximum before running the risk of potential damage to your nail beds. When you go too long with a gel manicure, you run the risk of weakened nails and the potential for moisture to cause some issues—once the gel starts to lift, it can lead to moisture gathering under the gel, which can be tough to clean and can lead to bacterial growth.
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Leave Removal to the Pros
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. "Tools and techniques that quality nail technicians use will remove the top coat more thoroughly, allowing acetone to soak color gel quicker."
FAQ
How long should you wait between gel manicures?
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.
What is the least damaging manicure?
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.
Is it bad to wear nail polish all the time?
Leaving nail polish on for a long time can dry out your nails and even lead to a condition called keratin granulations (rough, white patches on the nail surface).
15 Gel Nail Alternatives That Go Easy on Nails (And Last Forever)
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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Rieder EA, Tosti A. Cosmetically induced disorders of the nail with update on contemporary nail manicures.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(4):39-44.
Hewlett AL, Hohenberger H, Murphy CN, et al. Evaluation of the bacterial burden of gel nails, standard nail polish, and natural nails on the hands of health care workers.Am J Infect Control. 2018;46(12):1356-1359. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2018.05.022
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