You have probably heard that gel polish spoils nails and after prolonged wear of artificial turf, nails need rest and recovery. That’s why there is a separate part of nail service called nail health, where you can do manicure and pedicure without adding gel.
Is it really? If this is true, then how to restore the nail plate? And if it’s a myth, then why do some girls’ nails become thin and brittle after gel polish? Well, let’s figure it out.
Is gel nail polish harmful?
Actually, this is a myth! Gel polish does not damage the nail plate in any way. Then why do girls complain that after artificial coating the quality of nails becomes much worse? It’s all about the violation of the technique of manicure and removal of gel polish, as well as the long wear of the coating. Unfortunately, this can lead to consequences such as:
- thinning of the nail plate;
- lamination and fragility;
- injury to the nail plate;
- pain when touching the nail plate;
- onycholysis;
- fungal diseases of the nails.
Who is to blame? Sometimes an unprofessional master, and sometimes the owners of manicures themselves. But not material! So the assumption that gel polish spoils nails is a myth.
Why do all of the above problems arise and how to restore the nail plate after them? Let’s figure it out.
Why do nails thin and peel off after gel polish?
The first reason why all this can happen is that the work is done by an inexperienced master who does not know or does not follow the manicure technique. It can see through the nails (for example, when processing the cuticle) or damage the nail root – the matrix, which in turn can lead to irreversible changes in the nail plate.
Also, one of the reasons for damage to the nail plate is the improper removal of the artificial coating, so this procedure must be approached with special responsibility! When removing gel polish, you need to remember a few rules.
Rule 1: in no case should you pick gel polish or peel it off the surface of the nail plate because this is fraught with a serious injury to it! By negligence, along with the material, you can remove the top layer of the nail, and this can lead to its thinning and at least the appearance of pain upon contact with water and various surfaces.
Rule 2: you should not cut off partially torn-off gel polish with a file. In this case, you also risk cutting off the top layer of the nail and ruining it.
Why does onycholysis and nail fungus occur after gel polish?
Onycholysis is a disease characterized by detachment of the nail plate from the nail bed. May be infectious or non-infectious. The consistency and color of the nail plate with non-infectious onycholysis do not change. But with an infectious disease, it becomes cloudy, rough. In 60% of cases, onycholysis is the result of traumatic injury, in 30% – the result of mycosis (fungus). How is this related to manicure and what are the causes of onycholysis after gel polish?
- If the manicure technique is violated, the master can injure the nail plate with tools, as well as provoke its burn;
- When using a non-sterile tool during operation, an infection, fungi can join the nail;
- Excessive squeezing can lead to injury to the nail. This problem is more common in pedicures when the master uses a rigid rather than elastic base, or the client wears tight compressive shoes.
You might think that the cause of onycholysis is solely a manicure, but this is not so. Onycholysis also appears against the background of:
- dermatological problems;
- endocrine disorders;
- pathologies of the digestive tract;
- allergic reactions.
Fungal diseases are manifested not only along with onycholysis. They may be accompanied by a change in the color of the nail, for example, it’s greening. If we consider these diseases from the point of view of manicure and pedicure, then the main reason is the use of non-sterile instruments. So take seriously the choice of a master’s or a beauty salon! But here, too, you need to understand that the fungus does not always appear through the fault of the master. It can occur through contact with a sick person or with objects contaminated with spores.
How long can you wear gel polish?
Technologists advise walking with a coating for no more than 2-3 weeks. But often girls wear gel polish for a month, or even longer. However, they do not understand that they can damage the nail plate. Long-wear gives a load to the tip of the nail plate, its root suffers from the weight of the coating. And this can lead not only to breakage but also to deformation of the nail plate.
How to restore nails after gel polish?
Let’s start with onycholysis and fungal diseases.
2 main rules:
- do not let such cases take their course, it will not get better without treatment;
- do not self-medicate, be sure to contact a specialist and hand over a scraping of the nail.
Some are embarrassed by such problems, for years they have been trying to treat their nails on their own and mask the changes in the nail with varnish. If we have a cold, then we go to the therapist. If the stomach hurts, then we go to the gastroenterologist. Mycosis, onycholysis – these are the same diseases, they need to be treated and seek help from dermatologists, podologists!
Well, what if you are faced with less serious problems, but somehow your nails are thin, exfoliate or have bumps from cuts?
- Remove the length. If you have damaged nails, then it is better to cut the length. The length of the free edge should be no more than 1 mm. This is necessary in order to eliminate the appearance of cracks, chips and speed up the process of restoring nails.
- Take care of your cuticles. Healthy nails depend on healthy cuticles! To keep it well-groomed and moisturized, you need to take baths and use cuticle oil daily. Baths are necessary to soften the cuticle and prepare it for further processing. Fill a small container with water at a comfortable temperature. You can add sea salt, a drop of essential oil or an infusion of herbs to it. After taking the bath, it will not be superfluous to use a scrub to remove dead skin cells.