The Sad Truth About Gel Manicures
I’ve never been one of those girls who obsesses over having her nails painted. But if I do feel up to it, I usually stick to gel manicures because they last longer and are less susceptible to accidental damage. Gel manis seem like a no brainer when compared to old fashioned manis, but it turns out that gel manicures can be incredibly detrimental to the overall health of your nails.
For one thing, it can weaken your nail. In fact, after a few back-to-back gel manis, the nail can get unhealthily thin and dehydrated as gel blocks oxygen to the nail. And even more, once the gel starts to peel, it’s hard not to pick it off of your own nail. If you can’t resist, you’ll end up pulling multiple layers off the top of your nail. Warning: It can take months for that kind of damage to heal.
At the salon, the removal process is also dehydrating. After soaking your nails in toxic acetone for 10-15 minutes, you’ll definitely feel it. Make sure you’re rehydrating your nails with a good emollient, otherwise… the skin around your nail beds could start to crack.
You should assess the condition of your nails in between manicures and try not to get them done consecutively. Everyone needs some TLC, even your nails! So make sure you keep them happy and healthy. Less is more when it comes to getting gel manis.
