Is applying a special conditioner really the best method to strengthen damaged nails after a gel manicure? Top manicurists in the industry don't think so. Instead, they recommend home remedies to regenerate weakened nail plates, which can truly nourish nails and dry hand skin. Here are 3 methods they recommend to their famous clients.
How to repair damaged nails after removing gel polish? First and foremost, you need to thoroughly moisturize them. Although we love gel polishes for their durability and shine, the products used to remove them (mainly acetone removers) severely dry out the nail plate. As a result, it becomes brittle, dull, and prone to breaking. The key to strengthening it is to nourish and moisturize the nails – this makes them more flexible, resistant to damage, and restores their healthy shine. And what about the conditioners available in drugstores?
“Painting nails with products containing ingredients like calcium or vitamins will do nothing more than regular nail polish,” argues Marian Newman, a renowned manicurist working backstage at fashion weeks, an educator, and author of nail care books. “These types of substances cannot penetrate deep into the nail plate, so they won't do anything,” explains the expert.
So, if not drugstore conditioners – what can truly help reconstruct weakened nails after a gel manicure? Here are 3 things you can do to quickly strengthen them.
Rub oils into the nail plate
Rubbing oils into your nails and cuticles probably isn't new to you, but you might not have been aware that not every oil is suitable for this purpose. If you've been using just any oil up until now, you've been making a big mistake. According to Marian Newman, only three oils can truly deeply regenerate the nail plate: jojoba, avocado, and squalane. This is because they are biocompatible with the composition of human sebum and can therefore penetrate deeper into the skin and nails. "They can also fill in gaps in the nails that water can easily enter, giving the nail plate a kind of waterproofness," the manicurist explained in an interview with Vogue magazine. "Apply them several times a day, especially in the evening, massaging them into the nail plate and the surrounding cuticles," instructs the expert.
Deeply nourish the skin on your hands
Marian Newman also emphasizes the importance of regular hand skin moisturizing for nail health. After all, the nail plate grows from it. "If the skin at the base of the nail plate is dry or damaged, it can weaken the matrix (the part where a new nail is formed), which negatively affects the condition of all nails," notes the specialist. Caring for the "base," i.e., the skin, is therefore very important. In addition to moisturizing hands after every wash, it is worth treating your hands to a nourishing mask ritual every few days, e.g., HandyLab Extreme Retinol. It comes in the form of nourishing gloves soaked in a cocktail of active ingredients. While shea butter and hyaluronic acid intensively moisturize the skin and nails, retinol works to renew, and vitamin C brightens. This way, we not only ensure firm, smooth hands but also improve the appearance of damaged nail plates.
Remember about a diet that accelerates the growth of strong nails
We often forget that skin is one of the body's organs. If you provide it with all the necessary nutrients, it will positively influence the growth of new, strong nails and hair. This strategy will allow you to strengthen your nails "at the source," so that even frequent gel manicures will weaken them to a lesser extent. What to eat to make them smooth, shiny, and resistant to damage?
First and foremost, ensure an adequate amount of zinc and silicon in your diet, as these are what determine the proper structure of the nail already at the stage of its formation in the matrix. You will find the most of these elements in fatty marine fish, seafood (especially oysters), pumpkin seeds, sesame, and legumes. An excellent source of silicon is also nettle and horsetail, so it's worth drinking at least a cup of infusion from these herbs daily. Marine fish, in addition to being rich in zinc, provide the body with plenty of healthy omega-3 acids, which moisturize the skin and nails from within – this is another good reason to include them in your menu. Naturally, you should also remember to consume an adequate amount of vitamin C (found primarily in peppers, parsley, citrus) and vitamin D3 – the latter is worth supplementing or getting from the sun.